She returned to the lobby.
Margaret was still standing near the reception desk.
"Well," Victoria announced, "the police are on their way."
Margaret looked at her.
"That was unnecessary."
"Perhaps you should have thought about that before refusing to leave."
"I have not refused any lawful instruction. I have simply asked to speak with you."
Victoria folded her arms.
"You have had your opportunity."
Margaret shook her head.
"No. You have had yours."
Victoria frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you could have chosen to listen."
Victoria gave another dismissive laugh.
"Do you know how many important people I deal with every week? CEOs, politicians, investors, celebrities. I don't have to explain myself to someone who walks in off the street."
Margaret looked at her without anger.
"Then perhaps you have forgotten what it means to serve people."
Victoria turned away.
"Security, make sure she doesn't leave before the officer arrives."
Thomas looked uncomfortable.
"Ma'am, why would we need to stop her from leaving?"
Victoria snapped.
"Because I want this matter resolved."
Margaret heard the exchange.
She looked toward Thomas.
"You don't have to put yourself in an uncomfortable position because of her instructions."
Thomas said nothing.
Victoria immediately turned around.
"Don't listen to her. She has no authority here."
Margaret slowly reached into her handbag.
She removed a small black phone and dialed a number.
"James? It's me."
A man's voice answered.
"Mother? Is everything all right?"
Margaret looked toward Victoria.
"Not quite. I think you should come to the Grand Royal."
James immediately became serious.
"What happened?"
"I would prefer to explain when you arrive."
"Are you safe?"
"Yes, dear. I'm perfectly fine."
"Give me twenty minutes."
Margaret ended the call.
Victoria watched her with amusement.
"Calling your family?"
Margaret placed the phone back into her handbag.
"Something like that."
Victoria shook her head.
"I hope you didn't call someone to come and rescue you. This is a private business matter."
Margaret looked at her.
"You might be surprised by how many people have a stake in this business."
Victoria laughed.
"Trust me. I know exactly who owns this hotel."
Margaret said nothing.
That was the first mistake Victoria made.
She assumed that knowing the names on a corporate document meant she understood who truly controlled the company.
Chapter 5: Officer Daniel Brooks Arrives
Twenty minutes later, a police vehicle stopped outside the Grand Royal.
Officer Daniel Brooks entered the lobby.
Daniel was forty-eight years old and had spent more than two decades in law enforcement.
He was experienced, calm, and careful about the information people gave him.
He had dealt with everything from minor disputes to serious criminal investigations.
He did not enjoy being called to private businesses over ordinary disagreements.
As he entered, Victoria immediately approached him.
"Officer, thank goodness you're here."
Daniel nodded.
"Good morning. What's the situation?"
Victoria pointed toward Margaret.
"That woman has been causing problems. She refuses to leave, she's disturbing our guests, and she's been making inappropriate comments toward management."
Daniel looked toward Margaret.
She was standing quietly near the reception desk.
"Has anyone been threatened?"
Victoria hesitated.
"Not physically."
"Has anyone been assaulted?"
"No."
"Has anything been damaged?"
"No, but—"
"Then tell me exactly what happened."
Victoria's expression tightened.
"I am the general manager of this property. I asked her to leave, and she refused."
Daniel turned toward Margaret.
"Ma'am, could you tell me your side of the story?"
"Certainly."
Margaret explained that she had come to discuss serious concerns involving the hotel's management and employee treatment.
She described how Victoria had refused to listen, insulted her clothing, and ordered security to remove her.
She also explained that the police had been called despite the absence of any threat or physical disturbance.
Daniel listened carefully.
When Margaret finished, he asked:
"Did you refuse to leave after being asked?"
"I asked whether I could speak with management. I have not threatened anyone, and I have not attempted to interfere with the hotel's operations."
Daniel nodded.
He turned toward Victoria.
"Ma'am, it sounds like this began as a disagreement about a meeting."
Victoria threw her hands up.
"Exactly! And I have every right to decide who can enter my hotel."
Daniel replied calmly.
"That may be so, but I still need to establish whether a crime has occurred or whether this is simply a civil matter."
Victoria's face turned red.
"Officer, I didn't call you here to debate hotel policy."
Daniel looked at her.
"And I didn't come here to enforce personal disagreements."
Several guests quietly watched the exchange.
Victoria realized that Daniel was not going to immediately do what she wanted.
She moved closer to him.
"Perhaps you don't understand how important this property is. We host very influential people. I cannot have someone like her standing in the middle of my lobby."
Daniel looked at Margaret again.
"Ma'am, would you mind showing me some identification?"
"Of course."
Margaret opened her handbag.
She removed a small leather wallet and carefully took out an identification card.
She handed it to Daniel.
He accepted it.
At first, he looked at the card as he would any other identification document.
Then he noticed the official seal.
He read the name.
Margaret Elizabeth Wilson.
He looked at the photograph.
Then he read the title printed beneath it.
His expression changed.
He read it again.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Victoria noticed his silence.
"What's wrong?"
Daniel did not answer immediately.
He looked at Margaret.
"Mrs. Wilson?"
Margaret nodded.
"Yes, Officer."
Daniel straightened his posture.
"Ma'am, I apologize. I wasn't aware you were here."
Victoria frowned.