Victoria Made It Worse

Embarrassed, Victoria looked at Richard.

“You know what these events are like.”

Richard’s expression hardened.

“What does that mean?”

Victoria lowered her voice.

“You have young employees around successful families…”

Richard said nothing.

Victoria continued.

“You can’t tell me some of them don’t see opportunities.”

Richard looked at her.

Then at Emily.

Then back at Victoria.

“You think Emily was trying to meet wealthy men?”

Victoria gave a small shrug.

“I think she’s clearly very comfortable talking back to guests.”

Richard stared at her.

Then he asked:

“Do you know who she is?”

Victoria frowned.

“Your employee.”

Richard nodded slowly.

“She is.”

Victoria seemed relieved.

Until he continued.

“She’s also my daughter.”

Silence.

Victoria didn’t move.

Nathan looked at Emily.

Madison did too.

Several guests turned toward each other.

Victoria blinked.

“What?”

Richard stepped beside Emily.

“My daughter.”

Victoria Thought He Was Joking

She stared at Emily’s uniform.

Then at Richard.

Then back at Emily.

“But she’s…”

Victoria stopped herself.

Emily finished the sentence.

“Working?”

Victoria said nothing.

Richard answered:

“Yes.”

Victoria looked completely confused.

“You have a daughter working as a server?”

Emily replied:

“For three months.”

Richard nodded.

Victoria asked:

“Why?”

Emily answered:

“Because eventually I’m supposed to run this place.”

Victoria’s face changed.

Richard continued:

“She finished her hospitality management program this spring.”

Emily said:

“My father started in hotel operations.”

Richard nodded.

“So did my father.”

Then he looked directly at Victoria.

“And I wasn’t going to let Emily inherit a company without understanding the people who actually make it run.”