Then Someone Behind Them Spoke

“Victoria.”

Everyone turned.

A man in his early sixties stood at the entrance to the ballroom.

Richard Bennett.

Owner of the Bennett Grand Hotel.

Most of the guests knew him.

Victoria certainly did.

Her expression changed instantly.

“Richard.”

He walked toward the group.

He had clearly seen enough to know something was wrong.

“What happened?”

Victoria answered first.

“This waitress was bothering Nathan.”

Nathan immediately said:

“No, she wasn’t.”

Victoria looked at him.

“Nathan.”

“She literally told me where the restroom was.”

Richard stopped beside Emily.

He looked at her cheek.

Then looked at Victoria.

“You hit her?”

Victoria hesitated.

“She was disrespectful.”

Richard stared at her.

“You hit one of my employees?”

Victoria’s confidence began disappearing.

“I didn’t mean for it to become a scene.”

Emily finally spoke.

“It already was.”

Victoria Tried to Explain

“She was talking to Nathan.”

Richard looked at Nathan.

Nathan said:

“I asked her for directions.”

Richard turned back.

Victoria continued:

“And then she spoke to me in a completely inappropriate way.”

Emily raised her eyebrows.

Richard looked at Emily.

“What did you say?”

Emily answered:

“I asked her not to grab my tray.”

Victoria interrupted.

“After that.”

Emily looked at her.

“I told her employees deserve basic respect.”

Richard remained silent.

Victoria became frustrated.

“You don’t understand.”

Richard replied:

“I think I understand perfectly.”

Then Victoria said:

“I was protecting my son.”

Nathan immediately responded:

“From what?”

Victoria had no answer.

Nathan continued:

“Someone with a job?”