Chapter 6 - The Dinner Table Warning
The first night of the celebration began with champagne beside the lake.
Malcolm’s relatives arrived in luxury cars and immediately demanded room upgrades. Beatrice handed out gold access cards as though she personally owned every door.
Juliet attended the private dinner because Malcolm had invited her.
She wore a simple black dress and sat near the end of the table.
Beatrice placed herself at the center beside Malcolm.
Throughout dinner, relatives praised the resort while insulting the employees serving them.
Malcolm’s brother complained that his villa was too far from the marina.
A cousin demanded a different bottle of wine after opening three.
Beatrice’s daughter asked whether the spa could stay open after midnight exclusively for the family.
Juliet quietly recorded every request.
Halfway through dinner, Malcolm raised his glass.
“To family,” he said. “The reason everything we have matters.”
Juliet looked around the table.
Several people had spent the day ordering staff members around without learning their names.
“Does family still matter when it becomes expensive?” Juliet asked.
The table grew quiet.
Beatrice smiled without warmth.
“Is this about the deposit again?”
“It’s about responsibility.”
Malcolm placed his glass down.
“Juliet, not tonight.”
“There never seems to be a good night to discuss unpaid accounts.”
One of the cousins laughed.
“Are you working in collections now?”
“In a way.”
Beatrice leaned back.
“You see why she has never fit in with us? Everything must become a problem.”
Juliet met her gaze.
“I don’t fit in because I pay for what I use.”
Malcolm sighed.
“Enough.”
Juliet stood.
“Tomorrow morning, the family privileges will be reviewed.”
Beatrice waved dismissively.
“You don’t have the authority.”
May you like
Juliet picked up her bag.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
