“Not yet. If she remains calm and respects the staff, she can finish the dinner. If she becomes aggressive again, she leaves.”
Daniel nodded.
“Understood.”
Mia looked uncertain.
“Claire, you don’t have to let her stay.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Claire met her eyes.
“Because I want the decision to be based on her conduct from this point forward, not on the fact that she embarrassed me.”
Mia considered that.
Then she nodded.
“I understand.”
Claire checked her sleeve.
The fabric was slightly wrinkled where Victoria had shoved her. A faint red mark had appeared near her shoulder.
Daniel noticed.
“You should let someone examine that.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Claire.”
She sighed.
“Fine. I’ll have the first-aid kit brought over.”
Daniel’s expression softened.
“Your father would be furious if he saw that.”
Claire smiled faintly.
“He’d be more furious if I let the kitchen fall behind.”
Daniel laughed.
“That sounds like Thomas.”
The chef called for another order.
Claire turned toward the service window.
“Let’s get back to work.”
In the private dining room, Victoria’s investors were quietly reassessing the evening.
The initial mood of confidence had disappeared.
Arthur Bell sat at the head of the table, reviewing the documents that Victoria had distributed earlier. The acquisition proposal described the Sterling House as an available asset, subject to final negotiation and legal due diligence.
But the final ownership transfer changed the situation entirely.
One investor, Mark Feldman, leaned back.
“Did you know the transfer was happening today?”
Victoria’s jaw tightened.
“I knew the family was restructuring.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“No.”
Arthur looked at the proposal.
“Were you aware that Claire Bennett was the designated successor?”
Victoria hesitated.
“I knew she was involved.”
Mark frowned.
“Then why did we receive a proposal that treated the restaurant as if it were likely to be acquired?”
“Because Thomas had been considering an exit.”
“Had he?”
Victoria’s silence answered the question.
Arthur placed the papers on the table.
“Victoria, we need to be clear. Our investment committee approved exploratory work, not a completed acquisition. If the ownership has changed, we need to review the assumptions.”
Victoria’s face hardened.
“The opportunity is still there.”
“Perhaps. But the circumstances are different.”
“She’s inexperienced.”
Mark raised an eyebrow.
“You just watched her manage the confrontation, the staff, and the room without losing control.”
“That doesn’t make her a capable owner.”
“No,” Arthur replied. “But it does mean we should evaluate her on evidence rather than dismiss her because she was wearing a server’s uniform.”
Victoria stared at him.