They Humiliated Her Boyfriend — Not Knowing She Owned the Hotel
Chapter 2
Dinner started badly.
It became much worse ten minutes later.
Ethan sat quietly beside Olivia while the others discussed investments, luxury resorts, international travel, and multimillion-dollar developments.
He tried to follow the conversation.
But he had never been part of a world like this.
At one point, an older man named Richard Cole asked him, “So, Ethan, what exactly do you do?”
“I manage maintenance operations for a commercial property company.”
Richard nodded slowly.
“Maintenance.”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Mostly large office buildings and residential properties.”
Victoria smiled.
“So you fix things?”
Ethan looked at her.
“I manage the people who fix things.”
Several people laughed.
Victoria took a sip of wine.
“My apologies.”
“None needed.”
Olivia shifted in her chair.
“Can we change the subject?”
Richard leaned forward.
“I’m curious. How did you meet Olivia?”
Ethan smiled.
“At a coffee shop.”
Victoria laughed.
“A coffee shop?”
“Yes.”
“How romantic.”
Ethan ignored the sarcasm.
“She dropped her phone. I picked it up.”
Olivia smiled.
“He also spilled coffee all over himself.”
“That part was intentional.”
Olivia laughed.
For the first time that evening, Ethan relaxed.
Then Richard asked, “And how long have you been together?”
“Seven months.”
“Seven months.”
Richard looked at Olivia.
“You must be serious.”
“I am.”
The table became quieter.
Victoria placed her glass down.
“Olivia has never brought a boyfriend to a family dinner before.”
Ethan frowned.
“Family?”
Olivia immediately said, “Victoria.”
Victoria smiled.
“What?”
“You know what.”
Richard looked confused.
Olivia took Ethan’s hand under the table.
He squeezed back.
Then a waiter arrived carrying a bottle of wine.
He poured a glass for everyone.
When he reached Ethan, he stopped.
“I’m sorry, sir. This bottle is reserved for guests listed on the executive account.”
Victoria waved him away.
“Give him something from the house selection.”
The waiter nodded.
“Of course.”
Ethan felt his face warm.
“It’s fine. Water is okay.”
“No need to embarrass yourself,” Victoria said.
The words were soft.
But cruel.
Olivia immediately turned toward her.
“That’s enough.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
“I was trying to help.”
“No. You were trying to insult him.”
The table fell silent.
Ethan looked at Olivia.
He had never seen her this angry.
Victoria leaned back.
“You’ve changed.”
“No,” Olivia said quietly. “I’ve just stopped pretending.”
Richard cleared his throat.
“Let’s not ruin dinner.”
Ethan wanted to leave.
He leaned toward Olivia.
“Maybe we should go.”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
Her eyes met his.
“Because I need to finish something.”
Before Ethan could ask what she meant, the private dining room doors opened.
Daniel Harris entered.
He walked straight to Olivia.
“Ms. Bennett, may I speak with you?”
“Here is fine.”
Daniel glanced at Ethan.
“We need to discuss the hotel.”
Ethan frowned.
“The hotel?”
Olivia stood.
“Yes.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“Perhaps privately.”
Olivia shook her head.
“No.”
Everyone stared.
Then she said something that made Ethan’s heart stop.
“This hotel belongs to me.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Ethan blinked.
“What?”
Olivia looked at him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
Victoria suddenly stood up.
“Olivia…”
But Olivia continued.
“My father transferred ownership to me six months ago.”
Ethan stared at her.
The woman he loved.
The woman who claimed to enjoy ordinary coffee shops and quiet walks.
Was the owner of the Grand Aurelia.
Victoria’s face had gone pale.
Richard slowly lowered his glass.
Daniel looked like he had seen a ghost.
Ethan finally whispered, “You own this hotel?”
Olivia nodded.
“Yes.”
And suddenly Ethan realized something.
The people humiliating him tonight had not known they were humiliating the boyfriend of the woman who controlled everything.
