Victoria’s mouth tightened.
“Watch your tone.”
Claire did not raise her voice.
“I’m speaking respectfully.”
“You’re accusing me.”
“I’m describing what happened.”
Daniel stepped between them slightly.
“Ms. Langford, perhaps we should move this discussion to the private room.”
Victoria looked at him.
“You’re taking her side?”
Daniel paused.
“I’m addressing what happened in my restaurant.”
Claire turned toward him.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
“Please have the broken glass cleared and check whether anyone was injured.”
“Of course.”
He gestured to two nearby staff members.
They approached with a broom, dustpan, and protective gloves.
Victoria watched them.
Then she looked back at Claire.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”
Claire replied, “I’ve taken ownership of my family’s restaurant.”
“You’ve destroyed a major business opportunity.”
“I haven’t destroyed anything. You were never promised the sale.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“Your father understood the value of my offer.”
“My father understood the value of this restaurant.”
“And you think you can run it?”
Claire’s expression did not change.
“Yes.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You’re twenty-eight years old. You’ve been waiting tables.”
“I’ve managed operations, negotiated supplier contracts, led staff training, and worked in restaurants across three states.”
“None of that prepares you to run a business of this scale.”
Claire glanced around the dining room.
“Then I suppose we’ll find out.”
The calmness in her voice seemed to irritate Victoria more than any insult could have.
“You’re making a mistake,” she said.
“Perhaps.”
“You’re going to regret this.”
“I’ll take that risk.”
Victoria looked at the investors, who had emerged from the private room.
One of them, a gray-haired man named Arthur Bell, approached.
“Victoria, I think we should discuss this privately.”
She turned toward him.
“Not now.”
“Actually, now would be a good time.”
Another investor stepped forward.
“Is the transfer legally complete?”
Claire answered.
“Yes.”
“Is the restaurant still open to a potential partnership?”
“That would depend on the terms and the interests of the staff and the business.”
Arthur studied her.
“That’s a different answer from the one we expected.”
Claire nodded.
“I imagine it is.”
Victoria’s face tightened.