“Several incidents may also have involved violations of company policy, and we are reviewing whether any employment laws were breached.”
Richard sat straighter.
“Are you accusing me of misconduct?”
Margaret's expression remained professional.
“We are identifying issues requiring investigation.”
Richard looked at Samuel.
“Mr. Anderson, surely you understand that managing a luxury property requires difficult decisions.”
Samuel nodded.
“Of course it does.”
Richard seemed encouraged.
“Exactly. And sometimes employees don't appreciate those decisions.”
Samuel met his eyes.
“But difficult decisions are not an excuse for cruelty.”
As the meeting continued, the problems became more serious.
One report described a night-shift employee who had been threatened with dismissal after leaving the front desk briefly to assist a guest who had fallen.
Another documented a receptionist punished for refusing to overcharge a customer.
There were allegations that Richard had instructed staff to conceal certain complaints from corporate auditors.
At first, he denied everything.
Then he blamed misunderstandings.
Finally, he suggested that disgruntled employees had coordinated an effort to damage his reputation.
Samuel listened without interrupting.
He had built his career negotiating with difficult people.
He knew that anger often revealed less than patience.
Then Michael opened a separate folder.
“There is another matter.”
Richard looked up sharply.
Samuel noticed.
“What matter?”
Michael placed a document on the table.
“Financial irregularities.”
Richard's expression froze.
Jonathan Reed began explaining.
Over the previous year, several consulting expenses had been charged to the Windsor Palace's operating budget.
The invoices came from a company called Prestige Hospitality Solutions.
The payments appeared legitimate at first glance, but the descriptions were vague, and supporting documentation was incomplete.
Samuel examined the numbers.
“How much?”
“Just over four hundred thousand dollars.”
Richard sat forward.
“Those were approved vendor services.”
Michael nodded.
“We have the approvals.”
“Then what's the problem?”
Margaret answered.
“The vendor appears to have undisclosed personal connections to you.”
Richard stared.
“That's absurd.”
She slid another document across the table.
“Prestige Hospitality Solutions was registered by your brother-in-law.”
Richard's face became pale.
Samuel said nothing.
Margaret continued.
“We are not making a final determination today. But the pattern requires an independent forensic review.”
Richard tried to laugh.
It sounded strained.
“You're turning normal business relationships into a conspiracy.”
Samuel closed the folder.
“Then a proper investigation should clear things up.”
For the first time, Richard had no immediate response.
Samuel looked toward the conference-room windows.
Far below, traffic moved through the city streets.
He remembered being twenty-eight and standing in a bank office, begging for a small loan to purchase his first struggling motel.
The banker had looked at his work boots and quietly suggested that people like him should avoid taking financial risks.
Samuel had left without the loan.
Eleanor had been waiting outside.
When he told her what happened, she listened carefully.
Then she said something he never forgot.
“Someday, when you have enough money that people have to listen to you, promise me you won't forget what it feels like when they don't.”
He had promised.
Now, sitting at the head of a table worth more than his first house, he wondered how many times he had failed her simply by not paying enough attention.
Richard's suspension was announced before noon.
The decision was immediate but not theatrical.
He would be placed on administrative leave pending an independent investigation into workplace conduct, compliance concerns, and the financial transactions.
He was instructed to surrender his keys, access cards, and company devices in accordance with established procedures.
Margaret made clear that the investigation would determine whether further disciplinary or legal action was appropriate.
Richard stared at the documents.
“You can't be serious.”
Samuel looked at him.
“I am.”
“After everything I've done for this hotel?”
Samuel folded his hands.
“What have you done for the people who work here?”
Richard's expression twisted.
“I made this place profitable!”
“The financial reports suggest revenue was already strong when you arrived.”
“I improved margins!”
“By reducing staffing and cutting benefits.”
“That's business!”
Samuel shook his head.
“No. Business is creating something valuable enough that people choose to support it. What you're describing is taking from people who have less power than you because you believe they cannot object.”
Richard stood abruptly.
“This is outrageous!”
Margaret remained seated.
“Mr. Collins, I recommend that you review the documents with your attorney before making further statements.”
Richard ignored her.
He turned toward Samuel.
“You think you're better than me because you have money?”
Samuel rose slowly.
“No.”
“Then what is this?”
Samuel looked at the man who had shouted at him outside.
“This is accountability.”
Richard gave a bitter laugh.
“You set me up.”
Samuel considered the accusation.
“I sat on a sidewalk.”
“You disguised yourself!”
“I wore clothes.”
“You knew I wouldn't recognize you!”