A manager who humiliated employees in public was not demonstrating leadership.
She was demonstrating insecurity.
Edward approached the reception area.
"Excuse me."
Vanessa turned sharply.
"Can I help you?"
Edward nodded.
"Perhaps we should discuss this matter more calmly."
Vanessa looked at him.
"I'm sorry, sir, but this is an internal management issue."
"I understand."
"Then please don't interfere."
Edward glanced toward Daniel.
"Has this young man been given an opportunity to explain?"
Vanessa looked irritated.
"Sir, I don't think you understand how this hotel operates."
Edward smiled slightly.
"Perhaps you should explain it to me."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"With all due respect, we don't need outside opinions about how we manage our employees."
Edward nodded.
"That's interesting."
He looked at Daniel.
"Young man, what happened?"
Daniel hesitated.
He didn't want to make the situation worse.
"It's a luggage delivery issue, sir. The problem has already been identified."
Edward nodded.
"And has it been corrected?"
"Yes. The luggage is being delivered now."
"Then why is this conversation continuing?"
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Because I am the manager, and I decide when a conversation is finished."
Edward looked at her calmly.
"Being a manager gives you responsibility. It doesn't give you permission to disrespect people."
Vanessa's face turned red.
"Excuse me?"
Daniel looked toward the older man.
He could see that the situation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
"Sir, I appreciate your concern, but it's all right."
Edward gave him a reassuring smile.
"Sometimes it isn't enough to say everything is all right."
CHAPTER 3: THE EMPLOYEE WITH A SECRET
Daniel Carter had never been interested in appearing wealthy.
He lived in a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city.
He drove an ordinary secondhand car.
He wore inexpensive clothing when he wasn't working.
Most of his colleagues knew very little about his family.
Some assumed he had grown up in a working-class household.
Others believed he had moved to the city to find better opportunities.
The truth was more complicated.
Daniel was the only son of Edward Harrison, the founder of Harrison International Hospitality Group.
The company owned several hotels, luxury resorts, restaurants, and commercial properties across the country.
The Grand Royal Hotel was one of its most profitable properties.
But Daniel had never wanted to be treated differently because of his father's wealth.
When he graduated from university, he asked Edward for something unusual.
He wanted to work in a hotel without revealing his family background.