Chapter 3: The Contract Nobody Was Supposed to See
For the first time since entering the lobby, Malcolm Brooks looked genuinely surprised.
Not angry.
Not confused.
Surprised.
He turned toward James.
“Explain what you just told me.””
James tightened his grip on the tablet.
“Mr. Whitmore's company has been involved in the resort's investment negotiations for several months.””
“I know that.””
“The final agreement was scheduled for tomorrow.””
Malcolm shook his head.
“No. The board withdrew the proposal.””
James frowned.
“That isn't what our regional office told me.””
Malcolm looked at him carefully.
“Who told you?””
James hesitated.
“Mr. Whitmore's office.””
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
“Exactly. My husband has been working with this hotel for months. He's the reason this property is getting the improvements it deserves.””
Malcolm didn't look at her.
He kept his attention on James.
“Did you receive written confirmation from Brooks Hospitality Group that the agreement was still active?””
James opened his tablet.
“I received an email from our investment liaison.””
“Name?””
James scrolled.
“Daniel Price.””
Malcolm's expression changed.
“Daniel Price is no longer employed by my company.””
James stared at him.
“What?””
“He was dismissed three weeks ago.””
The manager looked down at the tablet again.
Vanessa suddenly became very interested in her phone.
Nia noticed.
So did Malcolm.
“James,” Malcolm continued, “I want every document connected to that partnership sent to our legal department.””
“Of course.””
“And I want to know why someone who no longer works for my company is still communicating with this property as an authorized representative.””
James nodded.
“Understood.””
Vanessa gave an impatient laugh.
“Can we please stop pretending this is some corporate investigation?””
Malcolm turned toward her.
“You're right.””
She looked relieved.
“Finally.””
“This began when you struck my daughter.””
Vanessa's expression hardened again.
“I already explained that she bumped into me.””
Nia spoke quietly.
“I didn't.””
Vanessa turned.
“Don't start again.””
Malcolm raised one hand.
“Don't speak to her like that.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“You can't tell me what to do.””
Malcolm glanced at James.
“Is she staying here as a guest?””
“Yes,” James replied.
“Then I suggest you make sure every employee understands that all guests are expected to follow the same standards of conduct.””
Vanessa laughed.
“My husband spends more money here in one weekend than your daughter probably earns in a year.””
Nia looked down.
She was tired.
The baby's cries had become softer, but he was still restless.
Malcolm noticed.
“James, can we get her somewhere quiet?””
“Absolutely. The presidential family suite is available.””
Derek suddenly interrupted.
“Sir, I don't think we should offer that room.””
James turned.
“Why?””
“It's reserved for our top-tier guests.””
Malcolm stared at him.
“I'm sorry?””
Derek adjusted his jacket.
“Mrs. Whitmore has been promised priority access to that suite.””
Vanessa smiled.
“Exactly.””
James looked between them.
“Derek, the room is available.””
“But—”
“Prepare it.””
Derek looked frustrated.
“Yes, sir.””
Nia touched her father's sleeve.
“Dad, please. I don't need the biggest room. I just need somewhere to sit down and feed my son.””
Malcolm's expression softened immediately.
“You'll have somewhere comfortable.””
He turned toward James.
“Whatever room she needs. Make sure it's quiet and private.””
James nodded.
“Consider it done.””
A bell attendant approached with a small cart.
Emily left the reception desk and walked around it.
“Miss Brooks, may I help carry your diaper bag?””
Nia smiled faintly.
“Thank you.””
Emily carefully lifted the brown bag.
As she did, a small photograph slipped from its side pocket.
It landed faceup on the floor.
Nia bent to pick it up.
The photograph showed a younger Malcolm holding a little girl in a hospital room.
Nia smiled sadly.
“My mom took that.””
Malcolm looked at the picture.
For a moment, the anger disappeared from his face.
“She used to take pictures of everything.””
“She said you never smiled unless she forced you.””
Malcolm laughed softly.
“She was right.””
Nia tucked the photograph back into the bag.
Vanessa watched them.
Then she made a comment that changed the atmosphere again.
“It's amazing how people use family connections to get whatever they want.””
Malcolm looked up.
“Excuse me?””
Vanessa lifted her shoulders.
“Nothing. I just think it's convenient.””
Nia stopped walking.
“I'm not asking for anything because of who my father is.””
Vanessa smirked.
“Of course not.””
“I came here because he invited me.””
“Then maybe you should have stayed home.””
Malcolm stepped forward.
“That's enough.””
Vanessa looked at Derek.
“Are you going to let him intimidate me?””
Derek seemed trapped between two worlds.
He looked at Malcolm.
Then at Vanessa.
Finally, he said:
“Mrs. Whitmore, perhaps you should wait in the lounge while we resolve this.””
Vanessa stared at him.
“Are you serious?””
“It's just temporary.””
“You're asking me to move?””
James intervened.
“Mrs. Whitmore, I suggest you cooperate.””
Vanessa pulled out her phone.
“I'm calling Richard.””
She walked toward the seating area, tapping the screen furiously.
A moment later, she was speaking loudly.
“Richard? You need to get here. Something unbelievable is happening.””
She paused.
“No, I'm serious. That woman brought her father, and now everyone is treating me like I'm the problem.””
Another pause.
Vanessa's voice dropped.
“Apparently, he owns the hotel.””
She listened.
Then her expression changed.
“What do you mean you know him?””
Nia glanced at her father.
Malcolm said nothing.
Vanessa continued listening.
“Richard, don't be ridiculous. Just come here.””
She ended the call.
For several seconds, she stared at the screen.
Then she looked at Malcolm.
“Richard is on his way.””
Malcolm nodded.
“Good.””
Vanessa narrowed her eyes.
“You don't seem worried.””
“I have nothing to hide.””
She gave a humorless laugh.
“We'll see.””
Meanwhile, James had moved to a nearby office to contact the company's legal department.
Derek stood near the reception desk, repeatedly adjusting his watch.
Emily approached him.
“Mr. Collins?””
“What?””
“You should probably tell the truth.””
Derek glared.
“I don't need advice from you.””
“I saw what happened.””
“You saw an argument.””
“I saw Mrs. Whitmore slap a mother holding a baby.””
Derek leaned closer.
“Listen carefully. You have a probation review coming up. Don't destroy your future over something you don't understand.””
Emily's eyes widened.
“Are you threatening my job?””
“I'm telling you to be careful.””
She looked toward Nia.
Then back at him.
“I am being careful.””
Derek walked away.
But Emily had already opened the hotel's internal incident log.
She began documenting everything.
Time of arrival.
The slap.
The mother's fall.
The baby's crying.
The manager's response.
And the order to remove the victim.
She attached her own written statement.
Then she clicked submit.
A small confirmation appeared.
<text color="success" weight="semibold" size="sm">INCIDENT REPORT SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED.</text>
Across the lobby, Malcolm's phone rang.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice came through.
“Mr. Brooks, this is Angela from corporate compliance. We've reviewed the documents you requested.””
Malcolm looked toward James's office.
“What did you find?””
“There's a serious discrepancy.””
“Explain.””
“The partnership agreement appears to have been modified after approval was withdrawn.””
Malcolm's face became still.
“Modified how?””
“The signature page contains your electronic authorization.””
Malcolm frowned.
“I didn't sign anything.””
“We suspected that.””
“Who submitted it?””
“Daniel Price's credentials were used.””
Malcolm glanced toward Vanessa.
She was typing something on her phone.
“Angela, I want the original documents preserved. Don't contact the Whitmore company yet.””
“Understood.””
“And Angela?””
“Yes, sir?””
“Find out whether any other property has received the same agreement.””
He ended the call.
James returned.
“Sir, legal is reviewing the investment records.””
Malcolm nodded.
“Good.””
James lowered his voice.
“There may be another issue.””
“What?””
“Mr. Collins approved several complimentary stays for Mrs. Whitmore's family over the past year. Some were recorded as promotional expenses.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“How many?””
“I'm not sure yet.””
“Find out.””
James nodded.
At that moment, the entrance doors opened.
A tall white man in a navy suit walked into the lobby.
He was in his late forties, with neatly styled brown hair and an expensive watch.
Vanessa immediately stood.
“Richard!””
She rushed toward him.
Richard Whitmore barely glanced at her.
His attention was fixed on Malcolm.
For a moment, the two men simply stared at each other.
Then Richard smiled.
“Malcolm. It's been a while.””
Malcolm didn't smile back.
“Richard.””
Vanessa looked between them.
“You two know each other?””
Richard adjusted his cuff.
“Of course.””
He turned toward Nia.
“I'm sorry about the misunderstanding.””
Nia blinked.
“Misunderstanding?””
Richard gave her a practiced smile.
“My wife can be a little passionate.””
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
“Your wife struck my daughter.””
Richard's smile faded.
“I'm sure there's more to the story.””
Nia stared at him.
“Would you like to see the footage?””
Richard glanced at Derek.
Derek immediately stepped forward.
“Mr. Whitmore, I was just explaining that—”
Richard raised a hand.
“Not now, Derek.””
He turned back to Malcolm.
“Let's discuss this privately.””
Malcolm shook his head.
“No.””
Richard looked surprised.
“Excuse me?””
“You don't get a private conversation while my daughter stands here with a red mark on her face.””
Richard sighed.
“Malcolm, we're both businessmen. There's no reason to turn a small incident into a corporate crisis.””
Malcolm stepped closer.
“A small incident?””
Richard glanced at Nia.
“Your daughter is fine.””
Nia's eyes filled with tears again.
Malcolm's voice dropped.
“You keep saying that.””
Richard spread his hands.
“I'm trying to be reasonable.””
“Then start by acknowledging what happened.””
Vanessa stepped beside her husband.
“She deserved to be corrected.””
Richard looked at her sharply.
“Vanessa.””
“What? She was rude.””
“You slapped her?””
Vanessa looked offended.
“I barely touched her.””
Nia took a breath.
“I was holding my baby. You hit me hard enough to knock me to the floor.””
Richard looked uncomfortable.
“I'm sure we can resolve this.””
Malcolm nodded toward James.
“Show him the preliminary report.””
James opened his tablet.
Richard glanced at the screen.
Then his face changed.
The document showed the disputed partnership agreement.
His company's name appeared at the top.
His own signature appeared at the bottom.
And beside it was a date three weeks after Malcolm had withdrawn approval.
Richard slowly looked up.
“Where did you get this?””
Malcolm answered.
“From my compliance department.””
Richard's voice became tense.
“This is a confidential document.””
“It's a document containing my company's authorization.””
Richard stared at him.
“Malcolm, I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
Richard looked toward Vanessa.
She was no longer smiling.
Derek stepped backward.
James remained beside the reception desk.
Then Malcolm's phone vibrated.
Angela had sent another message.
It contained a photograph of a second document.
Malcolm opened it.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
The document was a payment authorization.
It showed that a large sum had been transferred from the resort's operating account to a company connected to the Whitmores.
Malcolm looked at Richard.
“Tell me something.””
Richard swallowed.
“What?””
“Why was my hotel paying your private company?””
Vanessa's face went completely pale.
And before Richard could answer, the elevator doors opened again.
A woman in a dark business suit stepped out, carrying a thick legal folder.
She walked straight toward Malcolm.
“Mr. Brooks,” she said, “we found the original transfer records.””
She placed the folder on the reception counter.
Then she added:
“And there's something you need to know about the woman who slapped your daughter.””
Malcolm looked at her.
“What?””
The woman opened the folder.
“Vanessa Whitmore isn't just a guest at this hotel.””
She turned the first page toward him.
“She has been receiving payments from a company that Derek Collins secretly registered under his own name.””
Vanessa stepped backward.
May you like
Derek stopped moving.
And Malcolm realized that the slap against his daughter might have exposed something far bigger than a hotel employee's abuse of power.
