Chapter 1 - THE WOMAN VICTORIA SHOULD NEVER HAVE TOUCHEDDean hesitated.
Maya noticed immediately.
“Are there cameras covering this area?”
“Yes,” he finally said.
Victoria’s face tightened.
“Of course there are.”
Maya looked at Richard.
“Then we should review the footage before anyone decides what happened.”
Richard nodded.
“Agreed.”
Victoria folded her arms.
“This is absurd.”
“No,” Richard said quietly.
“It’s necessary.”
The two security officers approached.
“Ms. Hale,” Dean said, “we need you to step aside while we review the incident.”
Victoria stared at him.
“You work for my family.”
Dean didn't flinch.
“We work for the hotel.”
Maya almost smiled.
That distinction was exactly why Richard had hired him.
Victoria looked around.
The guests who had been watching her now avoided her eyes.
She had spent years being surrounded by people who laughed at her jokes before she finished them.
People who agreed with her before she explained what she wanted.
People who knew exactly which side of power they were supposed to stand on.
Now none of them knew where to stand.
Richard turned to Maya.
“Come with me.”
“I have the donor briefing in twenty minutes.”
“You need medical attention.”
“I need to finish my work.”
“Maya.”
She met his eyes.
There was no anger in his expression.
Only concern.
That was somehow worse.
She sighed.
“Five minutes.”
They walked toward a private office.
Victoria watched them go.
Then she noticed something on the marble floor.
A small black memory card.
It had fallen from Maya’s folder.
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
She stepped toward it.
Before she could reach it, Malik picked it up.
“Ma’am.”
Victoria looked at him.
“What is that?”
“Evidence.”
Her jaw tightened.
“Give it to me.”
Malik slipped it into an evidence envelope.
“I don't think so.”
Victoria's face reddened.
“You have no idea who you're speaking to.”
Malik looked at Richard.
Then back at her.
“I know exactly who you are.”
Inside the office, Maya sat on a leather chair while the hotel physician examined her lip.
“It needs stitches?”
“No.”
The physician shook his head.
“Probably not.”
Maya nodded.
“Good.”
Richard stood by the window.
“You should have told me.”
“About what?”
“Victoria.”
Maya laughed quietly.
“She doesn't like me.”
“That isn't what I mean.”
“I figured it out during my first week.”
Richard turned.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't come here to complain about your daughter.”
“You came here to run my hotel.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I intend to.”
Richard stared at her.
“You knew she would oppose you.”
“I knew someone would.”
“That isn't the same thing.”
Maya looked down at her hands.
“Your father once told me something.”
Richard went still.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you meet him?”
Maya hesitated.
“That's why I'm here.”
Richard's expression changed.
“You never told me that.”
“You never asked.”
He walked toward her.
“What exactly did my father tell you?”
Maya reached for the folder.
Before she could open it, the door burst open.
Victoria stormed inside.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
Richard turned.
“Not now.”
“Now.”
She looked at Maya.
“I want her removed from the property.”
“You don't have that authority.”
“I am your daughter.”
“And I'm the owner.”
Victoria stared at him.
“You're really choosing her?”
Richard's voice became cold.
“This isn't about choosing anyone.”
“It is.”
“No.”
He pointed toward the door.
“This is about whether you can control yourself.”
Victoria's eyes filled with disbelief.
Then she looked at Maya.
“You think you've won.”
Maya remained silent.
Victoria stepped closer.
“You don't know what you're getting yourself into.”
Maya finally answered.
“I know exactly what I signed up for.”
Victoria smiled.
It wasn't a pleasant smile.
“Then you should read the rest of that folder.”
She turned and walked out.
Maya looked at Richard.
“What did she mean?”
Richard's expression had changed.
“I don't know.”
But Maya knew he was lying.
And she knew something else.
Victoria wasn't frightened because Maya had become general manager.
She was frightened because Maya had found something.
May you like
Something hidden inside the Halcyon Grand.
Something Richard's family had spent years trying to bury.
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