Chapter 6 - The Night of the Wine
Julian changed Emily’s schedule after the storage facility break-in.
Instead of allowing her to serve ordinary dinner guests, he assigned her to Victoria Hawthorne’s private event.
Emily confronted him.
“She requested me specifically, didn’t she?”
Julian adjusted his tie.
“You are an employee. You serve the tables assigned to you.”
“You know she threatened me.”
“I know she is an important customer.”
“Is that all you care about?”
Julian looked away.
Emily understood the answer.
That night, Victoria arrived wearing an ivory designer dress, diamond earrings, and the Lancaster bracelet.
Her father was not with her, but several investors, executives, and influential guests filled the dining room.
Arthur Lancaster sat in his secluded corner with David Cho.
Emily did not know who he was.
Victoria did.
The moment she saw Arthur, she turned angrily toward Julian.
“Why is he here?”
“He has a reservation.”
“You were supposed to keep the girl away from him.”
Julian lowered his voice.
“I cannot remove a paying customer without a reason.”
“Then remove Emily.”
But the dinner service had already begun.
Emily carried a tray of red wine through the crowded room.
Her mind was on Elena’s recording and the documents hidden in Samuel’s office.
A customer suddenly pushed back a chair.
Emily tried to turn.
The tray tilted.
One glass fell.
Red wine splashed across Victoria’s ivory dress.
The entire dining room became silent.
Victoria stood.
Her face twisted with fury.
Before Emily could apologize, Victoria swung her hand and slapped her.
The tray crashed to the marble floor.
Emily staggered but remained standing.
“Do you know how much this dress costs?” Victoria demanded.
Emily pressed one hand against her burning cheek.
“I’m sorry. The chair moved unexpectedly.”
“You incompetent little thief.”
Julian rushed into the room.
Emily hoped, for one foolish second, that he would defend her.
Instead, he picked up the fallen tray and pointed toward the floor.
“Kneel down and apologize to our guest.”
Emily stared at him.
The humiliation was worse than the slap.
Nearby guests watched with discomfort, yet no one spoke.
Emily thought of Rose.
Dignity does not depend on how much money someone possesses.
She thought of Elena risking everything to protect her.
Then she looked at Victoria.
“I’m sorry the wine spilled,” Emily said. “I’ll work overtime to pay for the cleaning.”
Victoria smiled.
“You will do more than that.”
Emily knew Victoria wanted everyone in the room to see her kneel.
She also knew refusing would cost her the job she needed to pay Rose’s medical debt.
Slowly, painfully, Emily began bending toward the floor.
Then a chair scraped across the marble.
“No one is allowed to make Miss Lancaster kneel.”
Arthur opened the wooden box.
The necklace revealed Elena’s photograph.
Victoria’s fear revealed the rest.
Within minutes, videos of the confrontation appeared online.
Samuel saw one of them and immediately called the police, the press, and David Cho.
May you like
By midnight, the name Emily Lancaster was spreading across the country.
But Conrad Hawthorne was already preparing to destroy her claim.
