Chapter 6 - The Manager's Debt
Tiffany Monroe bolted from her chair, sobbing hysterically as she grabbed her handbag and ran toward the service exit, her friends scattering behind her like autumn leaves in a gale.
The dining room was empty of offenders now—except for one man.
Graham Vale was still on his knees beside the host stand, clutching his ribs, his face slick with sweat.
Dante walked over to him, his heavy leather boots coming to a stop two inches from Graham’s trembling hands.
"Mr. Vale," Dante said softly.
"Mr. Vance... please," Graham whimpered, looking up with eyes filled with pathetic fear. "I was just trying to manage a difficult situation... I didn't know she was your wife! Eleanor never told me! If she had just said something—"
"Why should she have to say something?" Eleanor’s voice cut through the air.
She walked up beside Dante, looking down at the man she had worked for four years.
"I gave you four years of my life, Graham," Eleanor said, her voice steady and filled with a quiet, powerful dignity. "I worked double shifts when your water main broke. I covered the floor when three servers walked out during Thanksgiving. I treated your business like it was my own. And when a stranger humiliated me in your dining room, you didn't see a human being who worked for you. You saw six million followers."
"Eleanor... please..." Graham begged. "We were a team! I trained you!"
"You didn't train her," Dante corrected, leaning down slightly until his severe, dark face was level with Graham’s. "You exploited her. You took her work, paid her minimum wage, and expected her to absorb abuse from spoiled children so you could save three hundred dollars on a comped dinner."
Dante stood back up, adjusting his cuffs.
"Mateo," Dante called out.
The legal counsel stepped out from the foyer, holding a manila folder containing the repossessed lease documents.
"Mr. Vale," Mateo said smoothly. "As of eight-thirty PM, your employment as general manager of Belladonna has been terminated for cause. You have ten minutes to clear your personal belongings from the office. You are barred from entering any property owned by Vance Holdings in perpetuity."
Graham’s face collapsed. "Where am I supposed to go? No restaurant in this city will hire me after this!"
"Then I suggest you move to another city," Dante said coldly.
He turned to the remaining waitstaff standing near the kitchen doors—including Mia Alvarez, who was watching with wide, stunned eyes.
"To the staff of Belladonna," Dante announced, his voice carrying clearly across the grand room. "This restaurant will close for three days for administrative reorganization. You will all receive full pay for the duration. Miss Mia Alvarez will assume the position of General Manager when we reopen on Thursday, with a doubling of her current salary."
Mia’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes welling with sudden tears. "Mr. Vance... I... I don't know what to say..."
"Say thank you to my wife," Dante said softly, looking at Eleanor. "She is the one who ensured your loyalty was recognized."
May you like
Mia looked at Eleanor, throwing her arms around her in a tight, weeping embrace. "Thank you, Ellie... oh my god, thank you..."
Eleanor hugged her back tightly, whispering, "You earned this, Mia. Go take Graham's office."
