Chapter 2: The Hotel Owner's Daughter
Daniel stared at the manager.
"What did you just say?""
The manager, Mr. Harrison, adjusted his jacket.
"Mrs. Vivienne Whitmore is the daughter of Mr. Richard Bennett, chairman of Bennett Hospitality Group.""
A murmur swept through the ballroom.
Eleanor let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
"That's impossible.""
Mr. Harrison remained perfectly calm.
"I assure you, Mrs. Whitmore, I have personally handled Mr. Bennett's private accounts for eleven years.""
Chloe folded her arms.
"So what? Anyone can print a fancy black card.""
Mr. Harrison turned toward her.
"Miss Whitmore, this is not a membership card. It is a private ownership credential.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Vivienne, what is he talking about?""
I carefully folded the torn fabric across my shoulder.
"My father owns the hotel.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"Your father?""
"Yes.""
"But you told me your father was retired.""
"He is. He retired from the company he founded. That doesn't mean he stopped owning it.""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Wait a minute. Are you telling me you've been hiding millions of dollars from my son?""
I looked at her.
"No, Eleanor. I simply never thought my bank account was relevant to whether you treated me like a human being.""
A few guests exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Chloe suddenly raised her voice.
"This is ridiculous! If she's so wealthy, why does she dress like that? Why does she drive an ordinary car?""
I almost laughed.
Because I had spent three years listening to that exact argument.
"My father taught me to buy things because I need them, not because I need strangers to admire them.""
Eleanor's cheeks reddened.
"Well, that explains why you've been so secretive.""
"No. It explains why you never bothered to ask.""
Mr. Harrison stepped between us.
"Mrs. Whitmore, may I escort you to a private suite while we resolve this incident?""
Before I could answer, Daniel grabbed my elbow.
"Vivienne, can we talk?""
I pulled away.
"Now you want to talk?""
"Please. This is getting out of hand.""
I looked at the ruined gown.
"You're right. It got out of hand when your mother put her heel on my dress.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Don't embarrass me in front of everyone.""
Those words hurt more than the torn silk.
Even now, he was worried about his reputation.
Not my dignity.
Not our unborn daughter.
Himself.
I turned toward Mr. Harrison.
"Please call my father's office. He'll want the security footage preserved.""
"Already done, ma'am.""
Chloe suddenly interrupted.
"There's no need for all this. Just search her purse again.""
Mr. Harrison looked at the scattered belongings.
"Miss Whitmore, our security department has already located the ring.""
Her face went pale.
Daniel stepped forward.
"What? Where?""
"In the west service corridor, inside a decorative flower arrangement.""
Chloe blinked.
"That's impossible.""
Mr. Harrison nodded toward one of the security officers.
"Please explain.""
The officer opened a small evidence pouch.
Inside was a magnificent diamond ring.
Eleanor gasped.
"My mother's ring!""
Chloe rushed forward.
"Give it to me!""
The officer raised his hand.
"Please don't touch the evidence.""
Eleanor looked relieved.
"There! You see? The ring is found. Now we can stop this ridiculous performance.""
But Mr. Harrison didn't move.
"There's one problem, Mrs. Whitmore.""
"What problem?""
"Our security cameras recorded the ring being placed inside the flower arrangement.""
Chloe's lips parted.
"Well, then find whoever did it!""
"We did.""
The manager looked toward the far end of the ballroom.
A young waiter stood near the service entrance, trembling.
Chloe immediately pointed at him.
"That must be him! I saw him carrying flowers earlier!""
The waiter shook his head.
"No, ma'am. I didn't touch your ring.""
Eleanor snapped her fingers.
"Then why are you standing there? Explain yourself!""
Mr. Harrison raised his voice.
"Miss Whitmore, please stop making accusations. We have not yet finished reviewing the footage.""
Daniel looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"Can we just settle this privately?""
I stared at him.
"Privately? You had no problem humiliating me publicly.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Vivienne, I was trying to keep the peace.""
"Whose peace, Daniel? Yours?""
He didn't answer.
My phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
*Dad: I'm downstairs. Two minutes.*
I showed it to Mr. Harrison.
He immediately nodded to security.
"Please prepare the private elevator.""
Eleanor's eyes widened.
"Why does she need a private elevator?""
Mr. Harrison looked at her.
"Because Mr. Bennett is arriving, and he will be coming directly to this ballroom.""
Chloe grabbed her mother's hand.
"Mom, this is getting weird.""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Don't panic. She's bluffing. Her father probably owns a little restaurant somewhere.""
I looked at her.
"You've spent three years insulting a family you never bothered to know.""
She lifted her chin.
"And you've spent three years pretending to be something you're not.""
Before I could respond, the ballroom doors opened again.
My father walked in.
Richard Bennett was sixty-two, silver-haired, and dressed in a charcoal suit. He carried no briefcase and wore no expression of anger.
That was what made the room go quiet.
He didn't look at the chandeliers.
He didn't look at the guests.
He looked straight at me.
Then he saw my torn dress.
His eyes dropped to my belly.
And his face changed.
"Vivienne.""
I tried to smile.
"Dad.""
He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around me carefully.
"Sweetheart, are you hurt?""
"No. The baby is okay.""
He kissed my forehead.
Then he noticed the ultrasound photograph in my hand.
"You brought the picture.""
I nodded.
"You chose this dress for us.""
He closed his eyes briefly.
"I did.""
For several seconds, he simply held me.
Then he turned toward Daniel.
"You're my daughter's husband, correct?""
Daniel swallowed.
"Yes, sir.""
Richard looked at the scattered belongings, the damaged gown, and the two women standing beside my husband.
"Then perhaps you can explain why my pregnant daughter is standing in a ballroom looking as though someone attacked her.""
Daniel opened his mouth.
Eleanor interrupted.
"Mr. Bennett, this is a family misunderstanding. Your daughter was suspected of stealing a valuable ring.""
Richard didn't raise his voice.
"Was she?""
Chloe nodded quickly.
"Yes! And we found it!""
"Where?""
"In the service corridor.""
Richard looked at Mr. Harrison.
"Then I assume you have footage.""
"Yes, sir.""
"Good.""
He turned toward Chloe.
"Let's watch it.""
Chloe suddenly looked toward the exit.
May you like
And when the security officer mentioned that the footage also showed someone entering my purse before the reception, she whispered something that made Eleanor grab her arm.
"Mom, you said they deleted that part.""
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