“For about five months. The previous regional director gave them a great deal of leeway, given their reputation. By the time I arrived, it had already become the norm.” A hint of bitterness was evident in his voice. “Please excuse me, Miss Brooks. If I had understood earlier the connection you had with this family, I would have intervened.”
« You didn’t know that, » I said, putting down the tablet. « My last name isn’t Harrington. I legally changed it when I was twenty-three. »
He paused.
« Understandable. »
Understandable.
That word hung in the air.
I walked towards the bay window overlooking the horizon. The night was clear, and the lights formed constellations around the city. My reflection floated faintly in the glass, a silhouette draped in contained fury.
« I knew they were negligent, » I murmured. « But this… this is theft. »
« Not ignorance, » Mr. Archer said softly. « A sense of superiority. »
I turned towards him and met his gaze.
« Prepare a complete financial report, » I said. « Every service provided, every unpaid transaction, every markup. »
He nodded.
« And what about the gala reservation they requested? » he asked. « Should I refuse it? »
My jaw clenched.
« Not yet. »
« Not yet, » he repeated, as if testing the sound of the words.
I turned completely towards him.
« They think they’re untouchable. They believe the world is reorganizing itself around them. If we cancel tonight, they’ll invent a story where they portray themselves as the victims. But if we let them, if we let them reach the brink of their own downfall, they will be the architects of their own destruction. »
Mr. Archer absorbed this in silence, then sat up.
« I will ensure that all staff know to treat you as an anonymous management client. No connection to the suite upstairs. »
« GOOD. »
« And may I ask you… » He hesitated, lowering his voice. « What triggered tonight’s escalation? »
I stared at the elevator, imagining Harper’s manicured hand shoving bills under my nose. My mother’s mocking look. My father’s smug smile.
« What triggered this? » I repeated softly. « They threw money at me. »
He blinked.
« Money? »
« Five hundred dollars, » I said. « As if I were a burden they could pay to make disappear. »
Mr. Archer’s face darkened.
« I was unaware of that. I offer you my sincerest apologies. »
I waved my hand.
« They don’t deserve your apologies, Mr. Archer. They deserve the consequences of their actions, for which they have borrowed money for years. »
A moment passed, then he cleared his throat.
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