“Of course, Mr. Langford. We'll arrange for you to speak with senior management.”
Derek pointed at Emily.
“And I want her fired.”
Olivia stepped forward.
“You can't be serious.”
Derek ignored her.
“I don't want to see her face anywhere near my suite.”
Martin cleared his throat.
“We can certainly review the matter.”
Emily heard him.
She looked up.
“Are you really going to fire me?”
Martin avoided her eyes.
“Emily, please don't make this more difficult.”
Derek smirked.
“Welcome to the real world.”
Then the glass doors opened.
Richard Whitmore entered.
He stopped when he saw his daughter.
Emily was sitting beside the luggage cart, her uniform wrinkled, her face wet with tears.
A large uneven patch of her blonde hair had been shaved away.
Golden strands surrounded her on the floor.
Richard's gaze moved to Derek.
The young man was still holding the clippers.
Richard walked forward.
“Emily.”
She looked up.
“Dad.”
That single word changed everything.
Martin froze.
Olivia turned sharply.
Derek frowned.
Richard knelt beside his daughter.
He did not ask about the partnership.
He did not ask whether the incident had attracted attention.
He carefully placed one hand against Emily's cheek.
“Sweetheart, look at me.”
She tried to smile.
But when she saw the pain in his face, she began sobbing again.
“I'm sorry.”
Richard shook his head.
“No.”
“I didn't know what to do.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He examined the injury on her wrist and the uneven section of hair.
His expression grew harder.
“Did he do this?”
Emily nodded.
Richard rose slowly.
He faced Derek.
“What have you done to my daughter?”
Derek stared at him.
“Your daughter?”
Richard did not answer immediately.
His voice remained quiet.
“Did you put your hands on her?”
Derek gave a dismissive laugh.
“Look, this is getting completely out of control. Your daughter was being disrespectful.”
Richard took one step closer.
“Did you put your hands on her?”
Derek glanced toward Martin.
“Who is this guy?”
Martin's lips parted.
No sound came out.
Richard continued.
“Did you cut her hair?”
Derek looked down at the clippers.
“It was a harmless joke.”
Richard stared at him.
Then he repeated the words.
“A harmless joke.”
Derek shrugged.
“She was rude. I was teaching her a lesson.”
Richard's face became completely still.
“You held down a young woman and shaved her hair because you didn't like her attitude.”
Derek shifted his weight.
“That's not exactly how it happened.”
Olivia spoke from behind Richard.
“Yes, it is.”
Everyone turned toward her.
She stepped forward despite Martin's warning expression.
“I saw everything. He grabbed Emily, pulled her toward him, and used those clippers on her while she was begging him to stop.”
Richard looked at Olivia.
“Your name?”
“Olivia Bennett, sir.”
“Thank you, Olivia.”
Then Richard turned to Daniel.
“Secure the clippers. Preserve every surveillance recording from the lobby, reception desk, and entrance. Make sure the police receive the original footage.”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes, Mr. Whitmore.”
Derek's expression changed.
“Wait. Whitmore?”
Richard looked back at him.
Derek glanced around the lobby.
He saw the way the security officers stood at attention.
He saw Martin's pale face.
He saw the sudden nervousness among the staff.
Then understanding dawned.
“Richard Whitmore?”
Richard nodded once.
“Yes.”
Derek swallowed.
“The owner?”
“The chairman of the company that owns this hotel.”
Derek looked at Emily.
Then at Richard.
“No way.”
Richard said nothing.
Derek forced a laugh.
“Okay. Well. This is obviously a misunderstanding.”
Emily stared at him.
Only moments earlier, he had called her a servant.
Now he was speaking as though they had all been victims of an unfortunate mix-up.
Derek stepped closer to Richard.
“Mr. Whitmore, I've heard excellent things about you. My father speaks very highly of your business.”
Richard did not extend his hand.
Derek's smile faltered.
“I'm Derek Langford. Charles Langford's son.”
“I know who you are.”
“Great. Then you understand we're all professionals here.”
Richard looked toward his daughter.
Then back at Derek.
“Professionals?”
Derek nodded quickly.
“Yes. And sometimes things get heated. Your daughter and I had a minor disagreement.”
Emily rose unsteadily.
Olivia supported her.
“A minor disagreement?” Emily repeated.
Derek avoided looking at her.
Richard's voice grew colder.
“Daniel, call the police.”
Derek's eyes widened.
“Come on, Richard.”
Richard turned.