Chapter 6 - The Man Who Thought Money Made Him Untouchable
Three weeks later, Emily stood behind the same marble counter.
But everything felt different.
Richard Coleman was gone.
Several contracts connected to Lang Development had been frozen.
Outside investigators were reviewing years of transactions.
Victor's influence was collapsing quickly.
Samuel entered through the revolving doors.
Same old coat.
Same cane.
Emily smiled.
“You're doing that on purpose now.”
“Doing what?”
“Dressing like someone nobody should underestimate.”
Samuel glanced at his coat.
“I like this coat.”
Emily laughed.
Then the front doors opened again.
Victor Lang walked in.
Alone.
Security immediately approached.
Samuel raised a hand.
“It's fine.”
Victor stopped several feet away.
He looked exhausted.
No entourage.
No arrogance.
“Samuel.”
“Mr. Lang.”
“I need five minutes.”
“You have two.”
Victor glanced at Emily.
“Privately.”
Samuel shook his head.
“Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of her.”
Victor's jaw tightened.
“The investigation is destroying my company.”
Samuel said nothing.
“Banks are freezing credit. Partners are leaving. My board wants me out.”
“And?”
“I want Bellmore to clarify publicly that some of the invoices are disputed.”
“Are they?”
Victor didn't answer.
Samuel repeated:
“Are they?”
“No.”
“Then why would we lie?”
Victor lowered his voice.
“We can settle.”
Samuel's expression remained calm.
“This isn't a hotel bill.”
“I'll repay the money.”
“That's for lawyers and investigators to discuss.”
Victor looked at Emily.
“This started with a glass of wine.”
Emily shook her head.
“No.”
Victor stared at her.
She continued:
“It started long before you met me.”
Samuel nodded.
“You believed everyone had a price, Victor. Richard had one. Contractors had one. You assumed Emily did too.”
Victor's face tightened.
Samuel continued.
“She didn't.”
Victor looked around the lobby.
Guests moved past him without recognition.
For the first time, he looked small inside the enormous hotel.
“I built everything I have.”
Samuel answered:
“So did I.”
“Then you understand what losing it means.”
“Yes.”
Samuel stepped closer.
“Which is why I never gambled mine on believing other people were beneath me.”
Victor had nothing left to say.
He turned and walked toward the doors.
Emily watched him leave.
“Is it over?”
Samuel looked at her.
“The hotel investigation is nearly finished. The rest isn't ours to decide.”
Emily nodded.
Samuel began walking away.
Then stopped.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Be here tomorrow at ten.”
“Why?”
“Board meeting.”
Emily laughed.
May you like
“I'm a guest relations supervisor.”
“Tomorrow,” Samuel said, “you'll be more than that.”
