Chapter 3

I paid without a word and asked her to issue a receipt. Once it printed, I checked the total and laughed, turning to the phone next to me.

"Check this out. This is my bill for one meal at our own hotel—$620K. And $128K of that? A fine."

The boardroom looked like someone dropped a grenade. My mom didn't skip a beat. "Kevin Daley, you've got some nerve!"

Kevin bolted over, eyes bugging out. "Susannah, you—you actually—"

"I called the board. Like I said—if I don't have your resignation in ten minutes, I lose."

Lillian dragged him back, snickering at the screen. "She's really out here flexing with a bunch of geezers and grannies. What a clown.

"Why're you even talking to her?

"This hotel's Kevin's family legacy. Him quitting? Hilarious."

Kevin snapped. "Watch it. That's my mom."

Lillian froze, then slapped on a fake smile. "Ma'am, you're Kevin's mom? I'm so sorry—I thought you were his sister!

"Honestly, it's her fault. Sitting in a prime lobby seat, eating her own bread? Totally ruined the hotel's vibe. I was just trying to keep standards up.

"If she's family, I'll refund her right now. We can move on."

My mom cut in. "That girl's my daughter. Kevin, fix it. You know what happens if you don't."

Then she looked at me. "We're done here. Susie, take full control. All hotel reports are in. If this happens again, that hotel's gone."

She hung up and texted me: [Don't hold back.]

I laughed. Like I ever would. People like this don't learn from a slap on the wrist.

They need to feel real fear. Real regret.

I knocked on the table. "You all heard her. Now explain. These fines—what was the approval process? How many meetings? Who was there? Where are the minutes? Was it during work hours? Where's the signed authorization?

"No full paper trail, no excuse. And you know how my parents are."

Kevin didn't say a word. Sweat broke out across his forehead.

I made the call. Demi leaned in. "Ms. Seymour, they're here."

I nodded. "Let them in."

Kevin turned, saw the group, and went ghost-white. "Susie, what are you doing?"

'Susie?' I scoffed. Cold and smug one second, and now he's playing nice?

"Obviously, we're auditing. What else?"

About ten people from HQ walked in—auditors, legal, the whole crew.

Security had locked down the hotel.

Guests in private dining got comped and were politely asked to cooperate.

The servers looked rattled—until they spotted Mr. Spector, our in-house counsel.

Lillian didn't recognize him. When she saw guests coming out, she panicked and charged at me.

"What do you think you're doing?! Susannah, right? I don't care who in the Seymour family you are or what you are to Kevin—this hotel's off-limits!"

She turned to Kevin. "Say something!"

I looked at Kevin.

He clenched his fists. "Susannah, get out. Take your people and leave!"

I flicked my hand.

Mr. Spector stepped up. "Ms. Susannah Seymour is CEO of Horizon Group with full authority over all hotels.

"As of today, Royalton is under investigation for major violations. No one leaves. HQ staff will conduct a full audit. Employees to the right, guests to the left. Thanks for your cooperation.

"Every guest will receive a compensation gift after the investigation."

Kevin was spiraling.

Lillian blinked hard. "What did he just say? CEO?! Kevin, didn't you say you were the chairman's son? How is she in charge?"

I smirked. "Because he's not even their real kid."