Chapter 2 - Seventy-Seven Days
By the time Graham Sterling entered the private room, Mara was searching the restaurant in panic.
She checked the bathroom, the staff room, the kitchen pantry, and the rear hallway. Her hands shook as she called Rory’s name.
A dishwasher finally pointed toward the private dining area.
“I saw her near the velvet curtain.”
Mara’s heart nearly stopped.
No employees were permitted near Vincent Kane’s meeting. Sterling had warned the staff that anyone who interrupted would be fired before reaching the front door.
Mara rushed through the restaurant and saw the impossible.
Rory stood beside Vincent Kane.
Sterling stood several feet away, blocked by two men in black suits.
The front doors had been closed.
Every customer was watching.
“Rory!”
The girl turned.
“Mommy!”
Mara hurried forward and pulled her daughter into her arms.
“I told you not to leave the staff room.”
“I’m sorry,” Rory whispered. “But Mr. Kane knows everything.”
Mara looked at the paper in Vincent’s hand.
Her stomach dropped.
“Where did you get that?”
“Your coat.”
“Rory—”
Vincent interrupted gently.
“Ms. Carter, is this record accurate?”
Mara held her daughter tightly.
“I don’t want trouble.”
“You already have trouble,” Vincent said. “I’m asking whether these seventy-seven unpaid days are accurate.”
Sterling stepped forward.
“This is ridiculous. She is confusing unpaid breaks with working hours.”
Mara’s fear turned into anger.
“I never received breaks.”
Sterling pointed at her.
“You should be careful what you say.”
Vincent looked at Sterling’s hand.
Sterling immediately lowered it.
Vincent returned his attention to Mara.
“Did you work these dates?”
“Yes.”
“How many times did you ask to be paid?”
“At least twenty.”
“Did he answer in writing?”
Mara hesitated, then removed her phone from her apron.
“I saved the messages.”
Sterling’s confident expression cracked.
“You recorded private business communications?”
“They’re text messages,” Mara said. “And you sent them to me.”
Vincent extended his hand.
Mara looked uncertain.
One of the men at the table spoke for the first time. He was older, with silver glasses and a leather briefcase.
“My name is Daniel Rosen. I’m an attorney. You may send them directly to me. Mr. Kane does not need access to your personal phone.”
The formality surprised her.
Mara had expected intimidation. Instead, Rosen gave her a business card and explained exactly what evidence would be preserved.
Vincent turned toward the restaurant manager.
“Bring me the employee schedules, time-clock records, payroll reports, and security footage for the last ninety days.”
The manager glanced at Sterling.
Sterling shook his head sharply.
Vincent saw it.
“Who owns this building?” he asked.
Sterling’s lips tightened. “Kane Properties.”
“And who holds the controlling interest in this restaurant?”
Sterling looked around as if hoping someone else might answer.
Vincent did.
“I do.”
Mara stared at him.
Sterling had spent years calling the bistro his kingdom. He boasted that no one could remove him because his investors trusted him completely.
Apparently, he had neglected to mention who those investors were.
Vincent faced the manager again.
“Bring the records.”
The manager ran toward the office.
Sterling’s voice became desperate.
“This is an internal misunderstanding. There is no reason to turn it into a spectacle.”
Vincent looked around the dining room.
“You made her poverty a spectacle every time she served customers who paid more for one dinner than you allowed her to take home in a month.”
“That is not fair.”
Vincent held up the paper.
“Seventeen stars say otherwise.”
Rory rested her head against Mara’s shoulder.
Sterling saw the customers watching and tried a different approach.
“Mr. Kane, we can settle this privately.”
May you like
Vincent’s expression hardened.
“You had seventy-seven days to settle it privately.”
