"Maybe."
"How?"
"Start with the people downstairs."
Victor frowned.
"The employees?"
"Yes."
"What about them?"
"Ask them what they think of you."
Victor laughed nervously.
"I don't need to."
Marcus stared at him.
"That's exactly why you do."
Victor spent the rest of the day speaking with employees.
At first, they were terrified.
Nobody wanted to tell the owner the truth.
Then one waitress finally spoke.
"You never say thank you."
Victor looked surprised.
Another employee said,
"You know every VIP's name."
"But you don't know ours."
A security guard said,
"You ask us to protect the building."
"But sometimes you forget we're people too."
A cleaner spoke quietly.
"You replaced my chair because a guest complained it looked old."
Victor frowned.
"I remember."
"You never asked why I needed that chair."
Victor looked confused.
"Why?"
"Because my husband died."
Victor said nothing.
"I kept it because it was his."
The room became silent.
Victor looked down.
He realized how little he knew about the people who kept his empire alive.
He had measured everyone by usefulness.
Marcus had measured him by character.
The difference was enormous.
That evening, Victor returned to the lobby.
He stood where Marcus had stood the night before.
He looked at the velvet rope.
The gold stanchions.
The marble.
The sign.
Everything suddenly looked different.
A young employee approached.
"Mr. Hale?"
Victor turned.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
Then he smiled.
"No."
The employee looked confused.
Victor said,
"I think I finally understand something."
"What?"
"That this place isn't mine."
The employee smiled nervously.
"Of course it is."
Victor shook his head.
"No."
He looked around.
"It's ours."
The employee stared.
Victor continued.
"I just forgot."
The following week, Victor changed the entrance policy.
No one would be judged by clothing.
No customer would be humiliated for appearing poor.
Employees were given more authority.
Security was instructed to protect people, not appearances.
The restaurant created a community dining program.
Every week, several tables were reserved for people who couldn't normally afford Luxe.
The staff initially thought Victor had lost his mind.
Marcus approved.
But Marcus didn't return immediately.