Chapter 2 - THE MEETING SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO ATTEND
“Mr. Sutter wants to see you because Preston Wade filed a complaint,” June said.
Laurel stopped walking.
“A complaint?”
June lowered her voice.
“He says you were hostile to him and his guest.”
Laurel stared at her assistant.
For a moment, the noise of the ballroom seemed very far away.
Then she laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because she knew Preston.
And this was exactly what Preston did when he couldn't control the outcome of a conversation.
“He grabbed my arm,” Laurel said.
“I know.”
“He insulted me in front of guests.”
“I know.”
“And now he's complaining?”
June's expression darkened.
“He's also asking to speak privately with Elias North.”
Laurel looked toward the staircase.
Elias was gone.
“Of course he is.”
She handed June her tablet.
“Keep the ballroom running. I'll handle Sutter.”
The banquet office sat behind a corridor lined with framed photographs of former presidents, visiting dignitaries, and celebrities who had stayed at the Halcyon Grand.
Laurel had worked at the hotel for eight years.
She knew every shortcut.
Every unreliable elevator.
Every electrical panel that needed replacing.
She knew which servers had children waiting at home and which housekeepers were saving money for college.
She also knew Caleb Sutter.
He was a competent manager when everything was going well.
When things went wrong, he preferred someone else to blame.
He was standing behind his desk when Laurel entered.
Preston sat opposite him.
Camille occupied the second chair.
And Elias North stood near the window.
Laurel stopped.
Preston smiled.
“There she is.”
Laurel looked at Sutter.
“You wanted to see me?”
Sutter cleared his throat.
“Mr. Wade has raised concerns about your conduct.”
Laurel folded her hands.
“Which conduct?”
Preston leaned back.
“The disrespectful way you treated my guest.”
Camille looked wounded.
It was a remarkable performance.
Laurel almost admired the effort.
“I directed you to your assigned table,” Laurel said. “Then I continued working.”
“You embarrassed us.”
“You introduced your girlfriend by explaining how much better your life became after leaving me.”
Sutter shifted uncomfortably.
Preston's smile tightened.
“That was a private conversation.”
“You made certain it wasn't.”
Elias moved slightly.
Laurel glanced at him.
His expression revealed nothing.
Sutter sighed.
“Laurel, perhaps an apology would resolve this.”
She stared at him.
“For what?”
“For making a valued guest uncomfortable.”
Laurel felt something inside her settle.
Eight years.
Eight years of working Christmas mornings, managing emergency evacuations, finding lost wedding rings, calming furious executives, and protecting the hotel's reputation.
And now her manager wanted her to apologize because her former fiancé had decided to humiliate her.
“No,” she said.
Sutter blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“I won't apologize for something I didn't do.”
Preston laughed.
“There it is. That stubbornness.”
Laurel turned toward him.
“You don't get to define my character anymore.”
His expression hardened.
“Laurel.”
“No.”
The room fell silent.
She looked at Sutter.
“If you have a formal complaint, please document it. I'll provide a written account and request the security footage.”
Preston sat forward.
“Security footage?”
“Yes.”
Laurel smiled politely.
“The Halcyon records all public corridors and reception areas. Including the champagne tower.”
Camille looked at Preston.
His jaw tightened.
Elias spoke for the first time.
“I'd like to see that footage.”
Everyone turned.
Sutter straightened.
“Mr. North, I'm sure that won't be necessary.”
“I'm sure it will.”
His voice was calm.
But it carried the unmistakable authority of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
Preston forced a laugh.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
Elias looked at him.
“Then the recording should clear it up.”
Preston said nothing.
Elias turned toward Laurel.
“Ms. Hensley, you have a fundraising dinner to run.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I suggest everyone allow you to do your job.”
Laurel nodded.
She walked out before Preston could say another word.
But as the door closed behind her, she heard Elias ask one question.
“Mr. Wade, why exactly did you want me to witness that conversation?”
Laurel didn't hear the answer.
May you like
She would discover it later.
And when she did, she would understand that Preston's cruelty was only the beginning.
