Victoria immediately recognized her.
She hurried across the dining room.
"Margaret! I wasn't expecting you so early."
Margaret smiled politely.
"Good evening, Victoria."
"Would you like me to arrange a private table?"
"Not yet. I need to speak with you."
"Of course."
Margaret glanced around the dining room.
Her eyes briefly stopped on Eleanor.
She looked surprised.
Then she looked at Daniel.
Something about the situation appeared to catch her attention.
"Who is that employee?" Margaret asked.
Victoria followed her gaze.
"Daniel. One of our waiters."
"Is there a problem?"
Victoria hesitated.
"He's been difficult this evening."
Margaret raised an eyebrow.
"Difficult?"
"He's repeatedly left his section to help other employees and has been making unauthorized arrangements for customers."
Margaret looked toward Eleanor's table.
"Is that the customer he was helping?"
"Yes."
Margaret's expression changed slightly.
She looked at Eleanor again.
Then she looked back at Victoria.
"Did you say her name was Whitmore?"
Victoria nodded.
"Yes, I believe so."
Margaret suddenly became very serious.
"Victoria, I need you to come with me."
Victoria frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
"We need to discuss something important."
Margaret began walking toward the center of the dining room.
Victoria followed.
Neither woman noticed that Eleanor had already recognized Margaret.
And Eleanor knew exactly why the regional director was there.
Chapter 7: THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
Margaret approached Eleanor's table.
"Good evening, Mrs. Whitmore."
Eleanor looked up.
"Hello, Margaret."
Victoria stopped walking.
Her face changed.
She looked from Margaret to Eleanor.
Then back to Margaret.
"Wait... you know her?"
Margaret turned.
"Victoria, this is Mrs. Eleanor Whitmore."
Victoria swallowed.
Margaret continued.
"She is the founder and majority owner of Whitmore Hospitality Group."
Silence.
The restaurant seemed to become quieter.
Victoria stared at Eleanor.
The elderly woman gently placed her napkin beside her plate.
"Good evening, Victoria."
Victoria's mouth opened slightly.
She had no idea what to say.
Whitmore Hospitality Group was the company behind the restaurant's ownership structure. It also controlled several luxury properties and dining establishments across the country.
The Grand Oak was one of its most important historic locations.
And Eleanor Whitmore was not simply an ordinary customer.
She was the woman whose decisions could determine the future of the entire restaurant.
Victoria suddenly straightened her posture.
"Mrs. Whitmore! I... I had no idea you were visiting tonight."
Eleanor smiled politely.
"Apparently, you didn't."
Victoria nervously laughed.
"I sincerely apologize if anything was less than perfect."
Eleanor looked toward Daniel.
"Your waiter has been excellent."
Victoria nodded quickly.
"Of course. Daniel is a valued member of our team."
Eleanor tilted her head.
"Is he?"
Victoria froze.
Only minutes earlier, she had been criticizing him in front of customers.
Now she was describing him as a valued employee.
Eleanor continued.
"Because from what I witnessed, you seemed determined to make him feel otherwise."
Victoria attempted to explain.
"Mrs. Whitmore, there was a misunderstanding. I was simply maintaining our service standards."
"Maintaining standards?"
"Yes."
"By humiliating an employee in front of customers?"
Victoria looked down.
Margaret remained silent.
Daniel was standing several feet away, holding a serving tray.
He had heard everything.
He did not know whether to approach or remain where he was.
Eleanor noticed him.
"Daniel, would you please come here?"
He slowly approached.