Chapter 2 - A Name the Manager Feared
The next evening, Emily arrived at Maison Aurelia with the envelope hidden inside her bag.
She had barely slept.
During the subway ride, she searched for information about the Lancaster family.
Arthur Lancaster had built his hotel company with his wife, Margaret. Their daughter Elena had been expected to inherit the business.
After Elena’s disappearance, control of several Lancaster properties had gradually shifted to a partner named Conrad Hawthorne.
Conrad later created Hawthorne International, a company now worth billions.
His daughter was Victoria Hawthorne.
Emily recognized Victoria immediately.
She was a regular customer at Maison Aurelia.
Victoria often arrived without a reservation, demanded the best table, and treated employees as if they existed only to obey her.
The restaurant manager, Julian Mercer, never challenged her.
Julian was skilled at flattering powerful customers. He remembered their preferred wines, laughed at their jokes, and blamed his employees whenever anything went wrong.
Before dinner service began, he gathered the staff near the kitchen.
“Victoria Hawthorne will be dining with investors tonight,” he announced. “There will be no mistakes.”
His eyes stopped on Emily.
“Especially from you.”
Emily frowned.
“I haven’t made any mistakes.”
“You asked two customers last week not to insult the busboy.”
“They were calling him names.”
Julian stepped closer.
“Our guests pay for an experience. They are not here to receive lectures from the staff.”
“They were humiliating him.”
Julian lowered his voice.
“Your job is to carry plates, not defend people.”
Emily looked at the other employees. Several avoided her eyes.
They had all learned the same lesson.
At Maison Aurelia, wealthy customers were always protected.
Workers were always replaceable.
Victoria arrived shortly after eight o’clock wearing a black silk gown. Two investors followed her, along with a woman carrying shopping bags from a jewelry boutique.
Julian greeted her personally.
Emily remained near the bar.
When Victoria removed her coat, Emily noticed a bracelet on her wrist. The design showed a lion beneath three stars.
The same crest from the photograph.
Emily’s breath caught.
She approached Julian after Victoria had been seated.
“Where did Miss Hawthorne get that bracelet?”
Julian stared at her.
“What kind of question is that?”
“It has a family crest on it.”
“Go back to work.”
“Is it connected to the Lancaster family?”
Julian’s expression changed.
Only for a second.
But Emily saw it.
Fear.
“Do not say that name near Miss Hawthorne,” he whispered.
“Why?”
“Because I am telling you not to.”
He walked away before she could ask another question.
Later that night, Emily carried coffee toward Victoria’s table and heard one of the investors admiring the bracelet.
“It belonged to the Lancaster collection,” Victoria said casually. “My father acquired several pieces after the family tragedy.”
“Didn’t Arthur Lancaster accuse your father of taking advantage of him?”
Victoria smiled.
“Arthur was grieving and confused. My father saved what remained of the company.”
Emily placed the coffee on the table.
Victoria looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a strange moment, Victoria’s expression became uncertain.
Then her gaze dropped toward the brass key hanging from Emily’s neck.
Victoria went completely still.
“Where did you get that?”
Emily touched the key.
“It belonged to my mother.”
“What was her name?”
Before Emily could answer, Julian hurried over.
“Is there a problem, Miss Hawthorne?”
May you like
Victoria continued staring at the key.
“No,” she said slowly. “Not yet.”
