The waitress flinched.
Vanessa marched over.
“Did I tell you to serve dessert?”
“The order was already entered.”
“I told you we needed the table.”
Sophie stared at the manager.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
Maria whispered, “They’ve paid. I thought—”
“That’s your problem. You think.”
Several diners turned toward them.
Vanessa seemed to enjoy the attention.
Daniel quietly asked, “Do you speak to all your employees like that?”
Vanessa laughed.
“You’re still here?”
Maria’s face reddened.
Daniel looked at her. “How long have you worked here?”
“Four years.”
Vanessa snapped, “Don’t answer him.”
Daniel leaned back.
Interesting.
Four years meant Maria had worked under the previous manager, when Bellmont House had some of the company’s highest customer-service ratings.
“Why shouldn’t she answer?”
“Because this is my restaurant.”
Daniel almost smiled.
Vanessa leaned closer.
“And frankly, people like you come in, order the cheapest entrées, occupy tables for hours, then complain when we protect the atmosphere.”
Embarrassment filled Sophie’s eyes.
Daniel’s calm turned colder.
“People like me?”
Vanessa realized she’d gone too far, but arrogance pushed her onward.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
Then she pulled out her phone.
“Security? I need assistance removing a customer.”
Maria went pale.
“Ms. Cole, please—”
“You’re finished for tonight,” Vanessa said. “Go clock out.”
Maria stared at her. “You’re firing me?”
“I’m considering it.”
Daniel interrupted.
“No, you aren’t.”
Vanessa slowly turned.
“Excuse me?”
Daniel’s phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Lobby. Corporate counsel and regional director present.
Daniel slipped the phone away.
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You have exactly two minutes before security escorts you outside.”
Daniel nodded.
“Then two minutes should be enough.”
He stood.
At six foot two, he suddenly looked very different from the tired customer Vanessa had dismissed.
“Maria,” he said, “when did she start forcing staff to remove customers based on appearance?”
Maria froze.
Vanessa’s confidence faltered.
“Don’t answer.”
Daniel continued.
“Were employees ordered to exaggerate wait times for customers she considered ‘low value’?”
Maria stared at him.
“How did you know that?”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“That is confidential business information.”
Daniel met her eyes.
“Yes.”
The single word landed strangely.
Vanessa frowned.
Daniel continued.
“Were servers also told to transfer large-spending guests into Vanessa’s preferred section so she could manipulate performance bonuses?”
Maria whispered, “Yes.”
Color drained from Vanessa’s face.
“How do you know about the bonuses?”
Daniel looked toward the entrance.
A woman in a gray suit and a man carrying a leather folder had just entered.
Vanessa recognized the man first.
“Mr. Harris?”
Regional director Paul Harris didn’t smile.
“Good evening, Vanessa.”
Behind him stood corporate attorney Rachel Lin.
Vanessa looked between them and Daniel. Her confusion turned to fear.
Paul approached the table.
“Mr. Mercer,” he said, “we brought everything you requested.”
The restaurant fell silent.
Vanessa’s lips parted.
“Mr… Mercer?”
Daniel turned toward her.
“My full name is Daniel Mercer.”
Maria covered her mouth.
Vanessa whispered, “The owner?”
Daniel’s voice remained quiet.
“Now we understand each other.”
Security arrived thirty seconds later.
Two guards entered the restaurant and looked toward Vanessa.
“Ma’am, you requested assistance?”
Vanessa weakly pointed at Daniel, but couldn’t speak.
Daniel answered for her.
“The situation has changed.”
Rachel Lin opened the leather folder.
“Ms. Cole, corporate received fourteen documented complaints over the past nine weeks. Tonight was a scheduled undercover service review authorized by ownership.”
Vanessa stared at Daniel.
“You set me up.”
“No,” Daniel said. “I ordered dinner with my daughter. Everything after that was your choice.”