Then she left.
The investors watched her go.
Arthur turned toward Victoria.
“I think we should postpone tomorrow’s meeting until we’ve reviewed the new ownership structure.”
Victoria’s eyes flashed.
“Fine.”
But she knew that the evening had gone badly.
Worse than badly.
It had exposed a weakness in her strategy.
She had assumed that the Sterling House was a distressed asset waiting for a buyer. She had failed to recognize that the family had already prepared a succession plan, and that the new owner was not someone she could dismiss.
The waitress she had tried to humiliate was the person whose approval she now needed.
At ten, the final guests began to leave.
The restaurant settled into the quiet rhythm of closing service. Chairs were adjusted, tablecloths removed, silverware sorted, and the last orders cleared from the kitchen.
Claire checked on the staff before returning to the office.
Mia was wiping down the bar.
“Claire?”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Were you really planning to announce the ownership tonight?”
Claire smiled.
“Yes.”
Mia looked toward the private dining room.
“Before all that happened?”
“Yes.”
Mia shook her head.
“That’s unbelievable.”
Claire leaned against the counter.
“It was certainly not the evening I planned.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
Claire nodded.
“I’m okay.”
Mia hesitated.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything when she started shouting.”
Claire looked at her.
“You were working.”
“I should’ve defended you.”
“You shouldn’t have to put yourself at risk to prove you care about someone.”
Mia looked down.
“But it was wrong.”
“Yes,” Claire said. “It was.”
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then Claire added, “Next time, if a guest becomes aggressive, get a manager. Don’t put yourself between someone who’s escalating and the person they’re targeting.”
Mia nodded.
“Okay.”
Claire smiled.
“And thank you for checking on me.”
Mia returned the smile.
“Anytime, boss.”
Claire laughed.
“I suppose I’ll have to get used to that.”
Daniel found Claire in the office at ten thirty.
She was sitting at the desk, reviewing the day’s reports and making notes about the ownership transition.
He closed the door.
“How are you holding up?”
Claire looked up.
“Better than I expected.”
“You handled that well.”