He had also received a formal notice informing him that the financial investigation was continuing.
He expected the call to be from his lawyer.
Instead, it was Eleanor Bennett.
He stared at the screen.
For several seconds, he considered ignoring it.
Then he answered.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Collins. This is Eleanor Bennett."
Richard sat upright.
"Mrs. Bennett."
"Would you be willing to meet me?"
He was surprised.
"Why?"
"I would like to speak with you."
Richard hesitated.
"Is this about the investigation?"
"Not entirely."
"All right."
They agreed to meet at a quiet café near the hotel.
Richard arrived early.
He chose a table near the window and ordered coffee.
When Eleanor entered, he stood immediately.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Richard."
She sat across from him.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Finally, Richard began.
"I want to apologize again."
Eleanor looked at him.
"Why?"
He seemed confused.
"Because of what happened in the lobby."
"Is that the only reason?"
Richard lowered his eyes.
"No."
He took a breath.
"I want to apologize because I allowed myself to become someone I don't respect."
Eleanor listened.
Richard continued.
"When I started working in hotels, I genuinely wanted to help people. I liked meeting guests and solving problems. I believed hospitality was about making people comfortable."
He looked at his hands.
"Then I started believing that my position made me important. I became obsessed with promotions, money, and the opinions of wealthy guests."
He paused.
"Eventually, I stopped seeing people as individuals. I saw them as problems to manage."
Eleanor remained quiet.
Richard looked at her.
"When you entered the hotel, I judged you immediately. I saw your clothes and your handbag. I assumed you didn't belong there."
He swallowed.
"I never even asked what you needed."
Eleanor nodded.
"That is true."
Richard's eyes became wet.
"And when I grabbed your arm, I knew I was wrong. But I was more concerned about what people would think than about how you felt."
Eleanor looked at him for a long moment.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I don't want to hide behind excuses anymore."
Richard reached into his jacket and removed a folded document.
"This is a complete list of the payments I approved under Victor's instructions. It also contains the names of two other executives who were involved."
He placed it on the table.
"I have given copies to the legal department, but I wanted you to know that I am no longer protecting Victor."
Eleanor examined the document.
"Thank you for telling the truth."
Richard looked surprised.
"Do you forgive me?"
Eleanor took a moment before answering.
"Richard, forgiveness is not something I can give simply because you ask for it."
He lowered his eyes.
"But I believe people can change. I believe that a person who accepts responsibility can begin to become better."
She continued.
"However, the people whose money was taken still deserve compensation. The employees who were treated unfairly deserve justice. And you must accept the consequences of your decisions."
Richard nodded.
"I understand."
Eleanor looked out of the window.
"When Daniel and I built the Grand Imperial, he often said that the greatest test of a person's character was how they treated someone who could do nothing for them."
Richard remembered the morning in the lobby.
"I failed that test."
"Yes," Eleanor replied gently. "But what you do next is still your responsibility."
Richard wiped his eyes.
"I don't know whether I will ever work in hospitality again."
Eleanor looked at him.
"Perhaps you should spend some time remembering why you entered the industry in the first place."
He nodded.
Before leaving, Richard stood.
"Thank you for meeting me."
Eleanor smiled.
"I hope you learn from what happened."
As he walked away, Richard felt no immediate relief.
He knew an apology could not erase his actions.
But for the first time, he was no longer trying to escape responsibility.
And that was the beginning of something different.
Three months passed.
The investigation had been completed.
Victor Whitmore was facing legal proceedings related to financial misconduct, fraudulent transactions, and the misuse of company funds.
Several executives had resigned.
Others had been dismissed.
Richard Collins had cooperated fully with the investigation and accepted the consequences of his involvement.
The financial review confirmed that a substantial amount of money had been taken from the employee welfare fund.
The company established a compensation program for affected employees.
Former employees who had been unfairly dismissed were contacted.