Chairman greeting.
Whitmore’s comments.
The wager.
Tray shove.
Translation.
Chairman’s response.
Envelope.
Whitmore demanding termination.
Allison listened without interruption.
Then looked at Daniel.
“Is that accurate?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Anything missing?”
“He was already drinking.”
Allison’s expression hardened.
“That is irrelevant unless impaired.”
“I don’t think he was.”
“Then why mention it?”
Daniel looked down.
Because people search for explanations that reduce intention.
Allison turned to Ana.
“You recorded?”
“Yes.”
“Send to attorney.”
“Not social media.”
“Okay.”
“Who has access to dining cameras?”
“Security company and Daniel.”
Allison looked at Daniel.
“Preserve all footage.”
“Already done.”
“Good.”
Then she looked at Naomi.
“You are not fired.”
Naomi exhaled.
She had not realized how much breath she was holding.
Allison continued.
“You are also not working the rest of tonight.”
Naomi’s face tightened.
“Paid.”
Allison added.
“That is not discipline.”
“You’ve had enough.”
Naomi nodded.
Allison sat.
“Whitmore threatened to pull every event.”
Chef snorted.
Allison looked at him.
“He also threatened litigation.”
Ana whispered something Spanish under breath.
Allison almost smiled.
Then:
“We are not terminating an employee because a guest embarrassed himself.”
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
Allison saw.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you send her to office?”
He hesitated.
“I wanted to de-escalate.”
“Who?”
“What?”
“Who were you de-escalating?”
Daniel looked toward Naomi.
“I didn’t want Whitmore—”
Allison stopped him.
“You removed employee he was targeting instead of removing him.”
Silence.
Daniel’s face reddened.
Allison continued.
“I understand why.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
She looked around.
“I need everyone to understand something.”
“If we protect revenue by teaching employees that a customer can threaten their job from table, we don’t have hospitality.”
“We have tribute.”
Chef murmured:
“Good.”
Allison looked at him.
“Do not encourage me.”
Then back to Naomi.