Vanessa gave a sharp laugh.
"That sounds like something people say when they can't afford to be here."
Nathaniel's eyes hardened slightly.
Daniel stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Vanessa turned on him.
"Why are you defending him?"
"I'm asking you to stop."
"He's the one who doesn't understand boundaries."
Nathaniel glanced toward Marcus again.
The young employee looked as though he wanted to disappear.
Nathaniel understood why.
An argument between a donor and a staff member could cost the employee his job, even if he had done nothing wrong.
That possibility concerned him more than Vanessa's insults.
"Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere quieter," Nathaniel suggested.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Now you're telling me where to go?"
"No. I'm offering a way to avoid embarrassing anyone."
She smirked.
"Too late for that."
She turned toward a nearby waiter.
"Could somebody call a manager? I want this man removed from the VIP area."
The waiter froze.
He recognized Nathaniel immediately.
His name was Samuel Price, and he had worked at the Grand Meridian for nineteen years.
Nathaniel had attended Samuel's retirement planning seminar the previous spring and had personally congratulated him on his years of service.
Samuel's expression became alarmed.
"Ma'am, I really don't think—"
"Don't think. Get your supervisor."
Nathaniel gave Samuel a subtle shake of the head.
The waiter hesitated, then stepped away.
Vanessa watched him go.
"Finally," she muttered.
She appeared satisfied.
But Daniel's concern was growing.
He looked at the name badge.
N. BROOKS.
The surname seemed familiar.
He had reviewed the Grand Meridian's ownership structure several months earlier while preparing an investment report.
Brooks Hospitality Group.
Nathaniel Brooks.
Chairman and principal shareholder.
Daniel felt a sudden cold sensation in his stomach.
He studied the older man's face.
He remembered seeing a photograph in an annual report.
The photograph had shown a distinguished Black gentleman with short silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
Daniel had barely noticed it at the time.
Now he wished he had paid closer attention.
"Sir," he said carefully, "may I ask your full name?"
Nathaniel turned toward him.
"Nathaniel Brooks."
Daniel's mouth went dry.
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Daniel, please. We don't need his biography."
But Daniel barely heard her.
"Nathaniel Brooks?" he repeated.
"Yes."
"Of Brooks Hospitality Group?"
Nathaniel inclined his head.
"That's correct."
Vanessa laughed.
"Oh, come on."
Daniel did not move.
He was staring at the elderly man.
"You're the chairman?"
Nathaniel gave a small smile.
"I am."
A strange silence spread through the group.
Vanessa looked from Daniel to Nathaniel.
Then she laughed again, louder this time.
"That's ridiculous."
Nathaniel said nothing.
"You expect me to believe the chairman of this hotel is standing in the lobby wearing a staff badge?"
"The badge isn't a staff badge."
Vanessa glanced at it.
"It's exactly what the employees wear."
"Actually, the employees wear different badges."
She studied the silver rectangle more closely.
For the first time, she noticed that it carried the original Brooks family crest rather than the Grand Meridian's current corporate insignia.
The distinction meant nothing to her.
But Daniel recognized it.
His face had gone pale.
"Vanessa," he whispered, "stop talking."
She pulled away from him.
"Don't be dramatic."
Nathaniel reached into his jacket pocket and removed a folded program.
He opened it to the page announcing the evening's keynote speaker.
At the top was his photograph.
Beneath it were the words:
Nathaniel E. Brooks — Founder and Chairman, Brooks Hospitality Group.
Vanessa stared.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
Her lips parted.
But she recovered quickly.
"Well, perhaps you should have introduced yourself properly."
Nathaniel folded the program.
"Would that have changed how you spoke to me?"
Vanessa hesitated.
"Of course."
The answer came too quickly.
Nathaniel nodded slowly.
"That's what concerns me."
Before she could respond, a young man in a navy-blue suit approached from the ballroom.
His name was Adrian Cole.
At thirty-two, Adrian served as chief operating officer of the Grand Meridian Hotel.
He had worked his way up through the company, beginning as a front desk associate before earning a hospitality management degree.
Nathaniel had mentored him for several years.
Adrian carried himself with confidence, but he looked visibly relieved when he spotted the chairman.
"Mr. Brooks, there you are."
His gaze moved toward Vanessa and Daniel.
He immediately sensed the tension.
"Is everything all right?"
Nathaniel regarded the young executive.
"Good evening, Adrian."
"Sir, we've been looking for you."
"I've been learning a few things."