Most Expensive Bite Ever

After taking the photo, I looked up. "You got any real paperwork? Never heard of a hotel fining its own guests."

She scoffed. "A lot of wannabes come in flashing attitude. You're eating bread in the lobby, bothering guests. Swipe your card and go."

People were staring now—same look of 'is this for real?' on every face.

I kept it together. "I ordered already. I was just hungry and—"

"Sure, you ordered. But rules are rules! You broke one, you pay. Or are you trying to ditch the bill?"

I shut it down. "Get Kevin Daley. I'm his sister."

She looked me up and down, sneering harder. "Our boss runs a real business. Every broke cousin thinks they can score a free meal. He's busy. Pay your bill—people are waiting."

It was the weekend, private rooms packed, so I'd been seated in the main hall.

I only had my assistant, Demi, with me. She finally snapped.

"What is wrong with you? We ate ONE piece of bread. How did that bother other guests?"

The manager's face twisted. She yelled, "Security!"

Then turned to me, voice full-volume. "Miss, if you don't pay, that's on you. This is a six-star hotel with Michelin chefs. You roll in with some bargain bread? That trashes our image. OF COURSE there's a fine!

"Can't afford it? Don't fake it. Free music, free tea, your own snack, and six-star service? Acting like a victim? You SHOULD be fined!"

So that's how we got here.

Demi was ready to lose it, but I held up a hand. "Chill. I'll call my brother."

I rang him up. "What's going on at your hotel? Your manager's trying to hit me with a $128,000 charge!"

To my shock, Kevin just went, "It's not like you can't afford it. Just pay her."

I almost laughed. "Kevin Daley, if I don't see your resignation in ten minutes, deal with the fallout."

Hung up.

The manager snorted. "Still playing? What's next—calling the cops? A lawyer? I know your type. Flash a few pics, pretend you're somebody. Royalton's a national brand, six stars. Maybe you'll bag a rich husband here. So $128K? Pocket change, right?"

She wasn't just trashing me—she insulted everyone dining here.

I glanced at her name tag. [Lillian Haagen.]

"Ms. Haagen, you missed your calling. Should be out on the street reading tarot. Guessing people's lives without asking? You got x-ray vision now?"

Her face froze.

I didn't bother saying more. "Charge the card. I'm paying. And I want an official receipt—meal and fine, fully itemized."

She hesitated, then smirked. "Fine. I'll have someone prep it."

That's when a voice called from outside—

"Hold it!"