Chapter 5 - The President Goes Undercover
By noon, Elena had confirmed that the contract in the leather folder was fraudulent.
She did not touch it.
A camera hidden in the ballroom’s fire-control panel captured every person who approached the table. Marcus monitored the footage from across the street while financial investigators waited for authorization to enter.
Elena wanted more than proof of forged signatures.
She wanted the board members attending the wedding to witness the culture Daniel had allowed to grow.
Several directors had defended him during previous meetings. They described employee complaints as isolated management problems. They praised Colin for reducing labor costs and called Margaret’s involvement harmless.
That evening, they would see the cost for themselves.
Elena spent the afternoon working beside Rosa.
They cleaned beneath tables, polished brass railings and removed packaging left by decorators. Wedding guests began arriving before five. Many walked past the workers without looking at them.
A few offered polite smiles.
Sophia stopped beside Rosa near the service entrance.
“Were you working here last night?” she asked.
Rosa hesitated.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What time did your shift end?”
Rosa looked toward Colin, who stood across the ballroom.
“Two in the morning.”
“And what time did you return?”
“Six.”
Sophia’s face tightened.
“That cannot be allowed.”
Colin approached before Rosa could respond.
“Mrs. Martinez volunteered for additional hours.”
Rosa lowered her eyes.
Sophia turned to him.
“Did she volunteer?”
“Of course.”
“Then she should be paid overtime.”
“All compensation follows company policy.”
Elena stepped forward.
“No, it does not.”
Colin stared at her.
Rosa’s breathing stopped.
Elena continued before he could interrupt.
“Employees were instructed to clock out at midnight.”
Colin’s expression hardened.
“What is your name?”
“Elena.”
“Elena what?”
“Morris.”
“I do not remember asking a temporary cleaner for a payroll opinion.”
“You answered Ms. Bennett’s question with false information.”
Colin glanced toward Sophia.
“Please excuse her. Temporary staffing agencies are sending anyone they can find.”
Sophia looked at Elena’s hands. A small red mark crossed one wrist from the cleaning chemicals.
“How many hours have you worked?” she asked.
“Thirty-eight since Wednesday.”
“Have you been paid for all of them?”
“Not according to the system.”
Colin stepped between them.
“That is enough.”
Sophia did not move.
“I would like to speak with her.”
“This is your wedding day.”
“That does not prevent me from listening.”
Margaret appeared behind her.
“Sophia, your guests are arriving. Why are you discussing time sheets with a cleaner?”
“Because she says employees are not being paid.”
Margaret gave Elena a dismissive glance.
“People say many things when they believe a wealthy woman will feel sorry for them.”
Elena’s eyes remained calm.
“Is that what you believe?”
Margaret’s eyebrows lifted.
“I do not speak to servants who forget their place.”
Sophia turned sharply.
“Margaret.”
“What? We are spending a fortune tonight. The least the staff can do is avoid creating drama.”
Elena looked at Sophia.
The bride appeared embarrassed, but she did not retreat.
“I am sorry,” Sophia said.
“You do not owe me an apology for someone else’s words,” Elena replied.
Margaret laughed.
“She certainly does not owe you anything.”
Colin took Elena by the elbow and pulled her toward the service corridor.
“Return to work.”
Elena removed his hand.
The movement was small, but something in her expression made him step back.
For a moment, Colin seemed to sense danger.
Then Margaret called for him to inspect the head table, and his confidence returned.
As they walked away, Sophia remained beside Elena.
“Is there someone at the company you trust?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Have you contacted them?”
“They are already aware.”
Sophia looked toward the leather folder.
“Does this involve the investment agreement?”
Elena did not answer directly.
“You should not sign any document tonight without your own attorney present.”
Sophia’s face became pale.
“Daniel said the final version had not arrived.”
“It arrived.”
“How do you know?”
“Because his mother placed it beneath those flowers at nine this morning.”
Sophia looked toward Margaret and Daniel.
Music from the orchestra filled the ballroom as more guests entered.
“Who are you?” Sophia asked.
Elena met her eyes.
“Someone who hopes you will ask that question again before the night is over.”
A banquet supervisor called Elena away.
May you like
Sophia remained alone, staring at the folder.
Minutes later, she quietly removed her phone and sent a message to her attorney.
