Chapter 5 - The Gala Contract
The Harringtons returned one month later.
Margaret had chosen the Royal Mariner to host a fundraiser for the Harrington Foundation. Politicians, business owners, athletes, and television personalities were expected to attend.
The event contract was worth more than one million dollars.
For Victor, it was the greatest opportunity of his career.
He hoped the gala would lead to a promotion at the hotel group’s corporate headquarters.
A week before the event, he gathered the staff.
“The Harrington family must receive flawless service,” he announced. “There will be no personal disagreements, no unnecessary complaints, and no behavior that damages the hotel’s relationship with them.”
His eyes paused on Lily.
Rosa noticed.
After the meeting, she pulled Lily aside.
“You should request another shift during the gala.”
“I already did.”
“And?”
“Victor denied it.”
Rosa’s mouth tightened.
“He wants you here because Blake asked for you.”
Lily felt a cold sensation in her stomach.
“How do you know?”
“I heard him.”
Lily went directly to Victor’s office.
“I’m not comfortable serving the Harrington event.”
“You don’t choose guests.”
“Blake has repeatedly behaved inappropriately toward me.”
“Have you filed an official complaint?”
“I tried to speak with you.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“You told me to stop making accusations.”
Victor smiled without warmth.
“Then you should have followed the correct procedure.”
Lily realized he had created the contradiction intentionally. He discouraged complaints and then used the absence of paperwork to claim nothing had happened.
“I’m filing one now.”
Victor leaned back.
“Three months after the first incident and days before our largest event?”
“I’ve documented every interaction.”
For the first time, concern appeared in his eyes.
“What documentation?”
“My own notes.”
“Personal notes are not official evidence.”
“They’re still a record.”
Victor lowered his voice.
“Think carefully about your future. Hotels speak to one another. A reputation for causing problems can follow an employee for years.”
Lily stood.
“So can a reputation for protecting abusive guests.”
Victor’s face reddened.
“You are assigned to the gala. That decision is final.”
When Lily told Rosa, Rosa offered to stay near her throughout the event.
Elena was attending a corporate meeting in New York and would return on the evening of the gala.
Lily emailed her formal complaint to Human Resources.
The following morning, she received an automated response confirming that it had been submitted.
Victor called her into his office an hour later.
“You went over my head.”
“I followed the procedure.”
“You have placed this hotel in a difficult position.”
“No. Blake did.”
Victor looked at her for a long moment.
“You have no idea what people like the Harringtons can do.”
May you like
Lily answered quietly.
“I know exactly what they think they can do.”
