“Listen carefully. I have investors waiting in that room. I have a signed letter of intent, and I have spent considerable time preparing this acquisition.”
Claire replied evenly.
“Then you should discuss it with your legal counsel.”
Victoria’s cheeks flushed.
“Don’t tell me how to conduct business.”
“I’m not.”
“Then stop standing there as if you have authority.”
Claire glanced toward the private room.
“Ms. Langford, your guests are waiting.”
Victoria’s voice rose.
“I don’t care about my guests right now.”
Several diners turned.
Claire lowered her voice.
“Perhaps we should continue this conversation in the office.”
Victoria laughed.
“You think you can summon me to an office?”
“No. I’m offering a private place to discuss it.”
“You’re a server. You should be serving.”
Claire held her gaze.
“I am serving. I’m also trying to prevent a scene.”
Victoria’s eyes flashed.
“Then perhaps you should have learned how to do your job properly.”
Claire said nothing.
Victoria pointed at the tray.
“Put that down.”
Claire did not move.
“I’m carrying drinks.”
“I said put it down.”
Victoria reached toward the tray.
Claire instinctively shifted her grip to keep the glasses steady.
Victoria struck the tray with the heel of her hand.
The impact sent it crashing against the marble counter.
The glasses shattered.
The room fell silent.
And the confrontation that would change the Sterling House began.
Now, in the aftermath of the crash, Claire stood holding the black folder while Daniel Mercer removed his jacket.
Victoria stared at the gold lettering.
FINAL OWNERSHIP TRANSFER
“Daniel,” she said slowly, “what is this?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Ms. Langford, I believe you’ve already seen the title.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. What does it mean?”
Claire answered.
“It means the ownership transfer has been completed.”
Victoria’s face went pale.
“That’s impossible.”
“It isn’t.”
“You can’t transfer the restaurant without notifying me.”
Claire tilted her head.
“Why would we need to notify you?”
Victoria’s mouth opened.
Then closed.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Ms. Langford, may I introduce Claire Bennett, the new majority owner of the Sterling House.”
The words seemed to travel through the dining room like a sudden draft.
A woman at the nearest table whispered, “The waitress?”
Another diner quietly corrected her.
“The owner.”
Victoria stared at Claire.