Chapter 2: The Name Behind the Phone Call
Vanessa recovered first.
She always did.
People like her had spent years learning how to turn uncomfortable situations into someone else's problem.
She set her champagne glass on a nearby table and approached Daniel.
"Get her out of here.""
Daniel nodded.
"Claire, go to the staff entrance.""
I didn't move.
"I was told to stay here.""
"By whom?""
"By the person I just called.""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"Your mystery friend doesn't manage this event.""
"That's true.""
"Then stop acting like you have authority.""
Vanessa stepped between us.
"Daniel, I don't want to spend another minute looking at her.""
She pointed toward my wet uniform.
"She's dripping all over the terrace.""
A few guests laughed.
I looked down.
Water was pooling around my shoes.
My phone vibrated.
A message from David appeared.
*I'm on my way. Don't let them delete anything.*
I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
Daniel noticed.
"Give me that.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
"Your phone. You were recording?""
"No.""
"Then hand it over.""
"You have no right to take it.""
His face reddened.
"You're a temporary employee. I can terminate your assignment immediately.""
"Then terminate it.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Finally, someone is making a sensible decision.""
I looked directly at her.
"Did you push me?""
Her smile disappeared.
"Don't start.""
"Did you?""
"I don't owe you an explanation.""
"That's interesting.""
I glanced at the people standing nearby.
"Because several people saw it.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Who? These guests? You think anyone here is going to support a waitress over me?""
One of her friends, a woman wearing a gold dress, looked uncomfortable.
"Vanessa, maybe we should just—"
Vanessa turned sharply.
"Don't.""
The woman fell silent.
Daniel moved closer to me.
"Claire, this is your final warning.""
Before he could continue, a security guard approached.
"Mr. Brooks?""
Daniel turned.
"Yes?""
"Mrs. Sterling wants to know what's happening.""
Daniel immediately straightened his jacket.
"Just a small service accident. One of the servers slipped near the pool.""
I shook my head.
"That's not what happened.""
Daniel ignored me.
"There's no need to bother Mrs. Sterling.""
The guard looked at my wet clothes and bleeding knee.
"She looks injured.""
"She was careless," Daniel replied.
I stared at him.
"You didn't even ask if I was okay.""
He leaned toward me.
"Do you understand how much this event costs?""
I answered quietly.
"Apparently more than your honesty.""
The guard looked between us.
Then he turned toward Vanessa.
"Ma'am, did you witness the accident?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Of course. She lost her balance.""
"Did you see what caused her to fall?""
"I just told you. She lost her balance.""
I looked at the guard.
"Please check the cameras.""
He hesitated.
"Which camera?""
"The one above the western pool entrance. It faces the entire area.""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"We don't need to involve the security department over a minor accident.""
The guard frowned.
"Actually, that's exactly what we're supposed to do.""
He stepped away and spoke into his radio.
Vanessa grabbed Daniel's arm.
"Can you believe this?""
Daniel whispered something to her.
I couldn't hear the words.
But I saw her glance toward the security office.
Then she looked at me again.
"Listen carefully, Claire. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I can make one phone call and ensure you never work another private event in this city.""
I wiped water from my cheek.
"That sounds like a threat.""
"It's a promise.""
"Then I hope you have a good contact list.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"You think you're clever?""
"No. I think you're afraid of a camera.""
For a moment, the terrace went quiet.
Then Vanessa stepped closer.
"Let me tell you something about this world. People like me don't get questioned by people like you.""
I held her gaze.
"Maybe that's the problem.""
Her hand tightened around her glass.
She turned away.
Daniel followed her toward the bar.
I stood beside the pool, shivering.
A young server named Lily approached with a white towel.
"Claire?""
I turned.
"Hey.""
She wrapped the towel around my shoulders.
"Are you okay?""
I tried to smile.
"I've had better evenings.""
Lily glanced toward Vanessa.
"Everyone saw what she did.""
"Did you?""
She nodded.
"I was standing by the drinks table. She pushed you.""
"Would you tell security?""
Lily hesitated.
Then she looked toward Daniel.
"He's already warned us not to get involved.""
I understood.
She was afraid of losing her job.
I couldn't blame her.
"Thank you for the towel," I said.
Lily lowered her voice.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"Before you arrived, Vanessa was arguing with Mrs. Sterling.""
"About what?""
"I don't know. But I heard Vanessa say something about the foundation money.""
I looked at her.
"What foundation money?""
Lily shook her head.
"That's all I heard.""
Before I could ask more, Daniel returned.
"Claire, you're leaving.""
I glanced at my phone.
"David is almost here.""
Daniel scoffed.
"Whoever David is, he can wait outside.""
He reached for my arm.
I stepped back.
"Don't touch me.""
His hand froze.
"You're making a serious mistake.""
"No, Daniel. You made one when you decided to blame an injured employee without checking what happened.""
He pointed toward the gate.
"Get out.""
Then a voice came from behind him.
"She isn't going anywhere.""
We all turned.
Victoria Sterling was standing at the top of the terrace steps.
She looked from my wet uniform to the shattered glasses floating near the pool.
Her expression darkened.
"Daniel, explain.""
Daniel immediately changed his tone.
"Mrs. Sterling, I'm terribly sorry. We had a small accident involving one of the servers.""
Victoria looked at me.
"Are you Claire?""
"Yes, ma'am.""
"What happened?""
Daniel opened his mouth.
Vanessa moved forward.
"Victoria, darling, don't worry. Your staff member had a little mishap. It's being handled.""
Victoria didn't look at her.
"I asked Claire.""
Vanessa's smile stiffened.
I took a breath.
"Ms. Sterling, I was carrying a tray when Vanessa pushed me into the pool.""
Victoria slowly turned toward Vanessa.
"Vanessa?""
Vanessa laughed.
"Honestly, Victoria, don't tell me you're going to take this seriously.""
"Did you push her?""
"Of course not.""
Victoria looked at Daniel.
"Did you see what happened?""
Daniel hesitated.
"I arrived after she fell.""
"Then how did you determine it was her fault?""
Daniel swallowed.
"I assumed—"
"You assumed?""
Vanessa interrupted.
"Victoria, this is ridiculous. The girl lost her balance. I was standing nearby.""
Victoria's expression remained calm.
"Then the security footage will settle it.""
Vanessa's eyes flickered.
"There's no reason to review footage.""
Victoria looked toward the guard.
"Please retrieve it.""
Daniel quickly stepped forward.
"Mrs. Sterling, I can handle that privately.""
Victoria's voice became colder.
"No. You have already handled enough.""
I watched her carefully.
She didn't seem angry in the ordinary way.
She seemed disappointed.
And somehow that was more frightening.
Then she looked at my knee.
"Has anyone called a medic?""
"No, ma'am.""
Her jaw tightened.
"Daniel, get the medical kit.""
Daniel hurried away.
Victoria took off her shawl and handed it to me.
"Here. You're freezing.""
"Thank you.""
She lowered her voice.
"Claire, I want you to know that this behavior is unacceptable in my home.""
I nodded.
"Thank you.""
Vanessa gave a short laugh.
"You're making this sound like a criminal investigation.""
Victoria turned.
"Someone was physically assaulted at my event. What would you call it?""
Vanessa's cheeks reddened.
"Don't be dramatic.""
"Then don't give me a reason to be.""
At that moment, headlights appeared beyond the front gates.
A black SUV pulled into the driveway.
The security guard hurried toward the entrance.
A man stepped out wearing a dark navy suit.
He was in his late fifties, with silver hair and the kind of expression that made people stop talking before he even opened his mouth.
David Morgan.
My father's closest friend.
And the chairman of Morgan Holdings.
He had built one of the largest private investment companies in California.
But that wasn't why I had called him.
He was also the person who had helped me acquire a controlling interest in the company managing the Sterling family's largest development project.
A project nobody at this party knew I had any connection to.
David walked straight toward me.
His eyes went to my wet clothes.
Then my bleeding knee.
Then the shattered glasses.
"Claire.""
"Hi, David.""
He removed his jacket and placed it around my shoulders.
"Who did this?""
I looked past him.
Vanessa was staring.
Daniel had stopped walking.
Victoria's expression had changed.
I pointed toward Vanessa.
"She did.""
David turned.
His face became unreadable.
"Ms. Cole?""
Vanessa blinked.
"Do we know each other?""
David looked at her for several seconds.
May you like
Then he said something that made her lose the color in her face.
"Unfortunately, yes. And I believe we have a rather important business meeting scheduled for Monday.""
