Chapter 8 - The Last Test
By nine o’clock, Adrian knew something was wrong.
Several financial accounts required additional authorization. The storage devices were missing from his desk. Celeste had stopped answering his calls after leaving the hotel before dawn.
Brent paced inside the management office.
“We should leave.”
Adrian glared at him.
“Leave and go where?”
“The police may be involved.”
“No one has contacted the police.”
“Marcus copied everything.”
“Marcus is an employee. I will say he exceeded his authority.”
“And the girl?”
Adrian looked through the office window.
Isabella stood in the lobby speaking with Maya, Rosa, Luis, and Henry. Employees had begun gathering around her as though she were someone worth listening to.
“She is the problem,” Adrian said.
Brent lowered his voice.
“There is something strange about her.”
“She is a guest who wants attention.”
“She knew about Apex.”
“She heard employees gossiping.”
“She knew about the board.”
Adrian turned.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I searched her room after you canceled the reservation.”
Adrian stared at him.
“You did what?”
“You told me to find evidence that she stole hotel property.”
“Did you find anything?”
“No clothes with labels. No passport. No business cards. But there was a secure phone charger and a luggage tag with the initials I.V.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
Before he could respond, the lobby entrance opened.
Employees from every department were arriving. Housekeepers, kitchen staff, drivers, maintenance workers, receptionists, and servers stood along the marble hall.
Marcus’s officers positioned themselves near each exit.
“What is happening?” Adrian demanded.
A receptionist handed him a printed message.
Emergency staff assembly authorized by ownership.
He read it twice.
Celeste entered through the underground corridor and moved quickly toward him.
“We need to speak privately.”
“Where have you been?”
“With legal counsel.”
“You abandoned me.”
“Lower your voice.”
“Is she connected to the company?”
Celeste glanced toward Isabella.
“I don’t know.”
“You told me Daniel Vale’s daughter was in Europe.”
“She was.”
“What does she look like?”
Celeste hesitated.
“I’ve only seen old photographs.”
Adrian’s confidence began to crack.
Isabella walked to the center of the lobby.
“Thank you for coming,” she said to the employees.
Adrian pushed through the crowd.
“You have no authority to call a staff meeting.”
Marcus stepped between them.
“The meeting was authorized.”
“By whom?”
“You’ll receive that information shortly.”
Adrian looked at the gathered workers and saw something he had never allowed before.
They were looking directly at him.
Rosa stood beside Maya. Jamal had returned. Natalie was there despite her suspension. Henry remained near the entrance, his shoulders straight.
Adrian felt control leaving the room.
He pointed toward Isabella.
“This woman entered restricted areas, stole confidential records, and encouraged employees to violate company policy. She is being removed.”
No one moved.
Adrian turned toward two lobby security guards.
“Escort her outside.”
The guards looked at Marcus.
“Do it!” Adrian shouted.
Marcus spoke calmly.
“Stand down.”
The guards obeyed him.
Adrian’s face reddened.
“This is my hotel.”
Isabella studied him.
“Is it?”
“I run it.”
“You exploit it.”
“You know nothing about responsibility. You walk in wearing a cheap dress, speak to staff as though their complaints matter, and expect everyone to admire you.”
“Their complaints do matter.”
“That is why people like you should never manage businesses. You make decisions with emotion.”
“And you make them with greed.”
The employees murmured.
Celeste touched Adrian’s arm.
“Stop talking.”
He pulled away from her.
“No. I am tired of this performance.”
He stepped close to Isabella.
“Leave now.”
“No.”
“I warned you.”
“I remember.”
“You think these people will protect you?”
Isabella looked around the lobby.
“They shouldn’t have to.”
Adrian saw cameras near the entrance. Several guests had begun recording with their phones. He knew the situation was escaping him, but anger overwhelmed judgment.
“You want a scene?” he said. “I’ll give you one.”
He grabbed Isabella’s arm.
Marcus moved forward, but she gave him a subtle signal to wait.
Adrian pulled her toward the entrance.
“Let go of me.”
“You were told to leave.”
“You are being recorded.”
“I control the recordings.”
“Not anymore.”
That sentence broke the last of his restraint.
He shoved her.
Isabella fell backward onto the marble floor.
The guests gasped.
Employees cried out.
Marcus’s officers moved immediately, but Isabella raised one hand, signaling them to pause.
Adrian stood over her.
“Stay away from my hotel, trash!”
May you like
The lobby became absolutely still.
Then, through the tall glass doors, three black SUVs arrived.
