Mr. Harlan walked calmly onto the stage and picked up the microphone Vanessa abandoned moments earlier.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “for legal and safety reasons, this event is now under administrative review.”

Richard laughed loudly. “Administrative review? I could buy this place by Monday.”

“No,” I said as I stepped onto the stage beside him. “You couldn’t.”

Every head turned toward me.

I looked at Daniel first. “You asked me to come tonight because you wanted me standing beside you. I thought maybe some part of the little boy who loved his family more than approval still existed.”

Daniel opened his mouth.

I didn’t let him speak.

“Vanessa called me a stinky country girl the moment I walked in. Her mother mocked my clothes. Her father insulted my family. Then Vanessa assaulted one of my employees in my ballroom.”

Vanessa shrieked, “Your ballroom?”

I smiled slightly.

“Yes.”

Mr. Harlan pressed a button on the presentation system.

The ownership records for the Meridian Royale Hotel appeared clearly across the giant screen. At the top sat Avery Hospitality Group.

Sole owner: Lena Avery.

The ballroom exploded into noise.

Patrice dropped her champagne glass.

Richard turned pale beneath his expensive tan.

Vanessa stared at the screen as though it personally betrayed her.

“You?” she whispered.

“Me.”

Daniel stood abruptly. “Lena, wait. We can fix this.”

“We could have,” I replied. “Before you laughed.”

He flinched visibly.

Then I turned back toward the crowd. “For transparency, the Vale family’s payment method failed twice. Mr. Vale attempted to pressure staff into unauthorized upgrades. Mrs. Vale verbally abused housekeeping employees. Vanessa assaulted a server on camera. Copies of all documentation will be forwarded to law enforcement, our legal team, and where appropriate, the licensing board currently reviewing Mr. Vale’s pending development contracts.”