Chapter 2: The Father's Face
Richard Laurent had been smiling when he stepped onto the terrace.
He stopped smiling when he saw the cars.
He stopped walking when he recognized James Bennett.
And when he noticed Sophie standing in front of the swimming pool wearing a soaked catering uniform, his expression became something close to disbelief.
"James?""
James stepped forward.
"Good evening, Richard.""
Richard glanced at the vehicles.
Then at the security officers.
Then at Sophie.
"What is happening?""
Camille rushed toward him.
"Dad! Thank God you're here.""
Richard frowned.
"Camille, what's wrong?""
"She caused a scene.""
Sophie said nothing.
Camille pointed dramatically toward her.
"She was incredibly rude. I told her to move, and she deliberately knocked into me. Then she started pretending she had some authority here.""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Camille, not now.""
"But Dad—"
"Not now.""
He turned toward James.
"Could someone explain why your entire executive team has arrived without notice?""
James glanced at Sophie.
"Miss Morel requested it.""
Richard slowly looked back at her.
"Miss Morel?""
Sophie offered her hand.
"Good evening, Mr. Laurent.""
Richard stared at it.
For a moment, he seemed unable to move.
Then he shook her hand.
"You're Alexandre Morel's daughter?""
"Yes.""
His eyes moved toward her wet sleeves.
"What happened?""
Camille answered immediately.
"She fell into the pool.""
Margaret Whitmore stepped forward.
"That isn't what happened.""
Camille's face tightened.
"Margaret, please.""
"No. Your father asked a question.""
Richard looked at the elderly woman.
"Margaret?""
Margaret held his gaze.
"Camille pushed her.""
Silence.
Richard turned toward his daughter.
"Is that true?""
Camille laughed nervously.
"Oh, come on. It was an accident.""
Daniel Reeves stood near the bar.
He looked at Sophie.
Then at Richard.
Then at Camille.
Something inside him finally gave way.
"No, sir.""
Everyone turned.
Richard recognized him.
"Daniel?""
Daniel swallowed.
"Miss Laurent deliberately pushed Sophie into the swimming pool. I saw it.""
Camille's expression hardened.
"You little coward.""
Daniel continued.
"She also threatened to have Peter fired if he didn't remove Sophie.""
Richard stared at his daughter.
"Camille, what is wrong with you?""
She threw her hands into the air.
"Why is everyone acting like this is a crime? She's a waitress!""
Sophie looked at her.
"That is precisely the problem.""
Camille scoffed.
"What?""
"You think the way someone dresses determines how much respect they deserve.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Camille, apologize.""
She stared at him.
"Excuse me?""
"Apologize to Miss Morel.""
Camille's mouth opened.
For once, she seemed genuinely shocked.
"Dad, she's not even—"
"Now.""
Richard's voice echoed across the terrace.
Camille glanced at the guests.
She could feel their attention.
She hated it.
"I'm sorry.""
Sophie tilted her head slightly.
"For what?""
Camille clenched her jaw.
"For the pool.""
"Did you push me?""
Richard looked at his daughter.
"Answer her.""
Camille's voice dropped.
"Yes.""
"Then say it.""
Camille's fingers curled around her champagne glass.
"I pushed you.""
"Thank you.""
Sophie turned away.
But Richard wasn't finished.
He approached James.
"I apologize for this. I assure you that Camille's behavior doesn't reflect our company's values.""
James didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he opened his document case.
"Perhaps we should discuss the acquisition.""
Richard nodded quickly.
"Of course. I've arranged the conference room. Everything is ready.""
"Excellent.""
James glanced at Sophie.
"Miss Morel, would you like to join us?""
"Yes.""
Richard looked relieved.
"Wonderful. We can finalize everything tonight.""
Sophie walked past him.
"That depends.""
His relief vanished.
"On what?""
"On what I discover in the next few hours.""
Richard looked toward Camille.
She was standing beneath the terrace lights, gripping her glass so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
He leaned closer to her.
"What exactly did you do?""
"I told you. It was nothing.""
"She is the daughter of the people buying our company!""
"I didn't know!""
Richard stared at her.
"That is not a defense.""
He turned away before she could respond.
Inside the mansion, the conference room was already prepared.
A long walnut table dominated the room. Bottles of mineral water stood beside leather folders. A wall of windows overlooked the lake, where the evening lights shimmered against the dark water.
Richard took his usual seat at the head of the table.
James sat opposite him.
Sophie chose a chair near the end.
A few executives entered.
Daniel was among them.
Richard frowned.
"Why is he here?""
James answered.
"Mr. Reeves has been asked to provide information regarding the company's operational practices.""
Richard's expression stiffened.
"Operational practices?""
"Yes.""
James placed a document on the table.
"Before we discuss the acquisition, our legal team would like clarification on several matters.""
Richard opened the folder.
His face changed almost immediately.
"Where did you get these?""
"During our preliminary review.""
The document contained a list of internal complaints, dismissed employees, and several disputed payments.
Richard flipped through the pages.
"This information is incomplete.""
Sophie spoke for the first time.
"Then perhaps you can help us complete it.""
Richard looked at her.
"Miss Morel, I appreciate that tonight has been unpleasant, but I would prefer to separate a personal incident from a business transaction.""
"That's reasonable.""
He relaxed slightly.
"Good.""
"But I didn't come here because of what happened to me.""
Richard frowned.
"What do you mean?""
Sophie placed both hands on the table.
"I came here because I wanted to understand how your company treats people when it believes nobody important is watching.""
She looked toward Daniel.
"Mr. Reeves, would you explain the complaint from the former hotel manager?""
Daniel opened his folder.
"Yes.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Daniel, be careful.""
James immediately interrupted.
"Mr. Laurent, I suggest you allow him to speak.""
Daniel took a breath.
"Three months ago, the general manager of your flagship hotel was dismissed after refusing to approve an unauthorized personal expense.""
Richard shook his head.
"That's not accurate.""
Daniel continued.
"The expense was submitted under the hotel's operating budget. It included jewelry, private transportation, and a weekend trip to Monaco.""
Camille's voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"That's enough.""
Everyone turned.
She stood there with her arms crossed.
Richard rose.
"Camille, what are you doing here?""
"I came to defend myself.""
Sophie looked at her.
"Nobody is discussing you.""
Camille laughed bitterly.
"Really? Because this entire meeting seems to be about me.""
Sophie opened another folder.
"Actually, it's about the company.""
She slid a printed invoice across the table.
Camille looked down.
Her face lost its color.
The invoice carried her name.
And the total was $184,000.
Richard stared at it.
"What is this?""
Sophie folded her hands.
"Perhaps your daughter would like to explain.""
Camille didn't move.
May you like
For the first time that evening, her father's anger was replaced by something much more dangerous.
Fear.
