They Humiliated Her Boyfriend — Not Knowing She Owned the Hotel
Chapter 3
Ethan didn’t know what to say.
He followed Olivia out of the dining room and into the quiet hallway.
The heavy doors closed behind them.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Olivia stopped.
“I wanted you to know me first.”
“You could have told me.”
“I was afraid.”
Ethan stared at her.
“Afraid of what?”
“That you would treat me differently.”
He laughed once.
“Olivia, you own a hotel.”
“I know.”
“You could have told me.”
“I know.”
“You let me walk in there thinking I was just some guy who didn’t belong.”
“I know.”
She looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan wanted to stay angry.
But the sadness in her eyes made it difficult.
He stepped closer.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I needed to see something.”
“What?”
“Who they really were.”
Ethan frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Olivia looked toward the dining room.
“My father built this hotel. When he retired, he gave ownership to me. But he left the management team in place.”
“And?”
“I’ve spent six months reviewing their reports.”
“Something’s wrong?”
“Yes.”
She lowered her voice.
“Millions of dollars are missing.”
Ethan’s expression changed.
“From the hotel?”
“Yes.”
“Fraud?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Do you suspect Victoria?”
“I suspect everyone who benefits from the current system.”
Ethan looked back toward the closed doors.
“And tonight?”
Olivia nodded.
“I wanted to see how they treated someone they believed had no power.”
Ethan stared at her.
“You used me as a test.”
Her face fell.
“I never wanted them to hurt you.”
“But they did.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“I’m sorry, Ethan.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he asked, “Did you expect them to act like that?”
“Yes.”
That answer hurt more than anything.
Olivia continued.
“They have always been polite to me. They knew who I was.”
“And they were rude to me because they thought I was nobody.”
“Yes.”
Ethan rubbed his face.
“Then tonight proved your point.”
“Exactly.”
A voice came from behind them.
“Mrs. Bennett.”
They turned.
It was Daniel.
He looked nervous.
“Ms. Bennett, we need to discuss what happened.”
Olivia crossed her arms.
“Start with the missing funds.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
“Three-point-four million dollars.”
His face changed.
“Those numbers are confidential.”
“I’m the owner.”
“That doesn’t mean—”
“It means everything.”
Daniel swallowed.
Olivia continued.
“I want the complete financial records by tomorrow morning.”
“Of course.”
“And I want access to the hotel’s security system.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Why?”
“Because there are transactions I don’t recognize.”
Daniel forced a smile.
“I’m sure everything can be explained.”
Ethan watched him carefully.
“You seem nervous.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You have no role in this.”
Olivia stepped between them.
“He has every role in my life.”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“Yes, ma’am.”
They walked away.
But Ethan didn’t miss the look Daniel gave him.
It wasn’t embarrassment.
It was fear.
Later that night, Olivia drove Ethan home.
Neither spoke for several minutes.
Finally Ethan asked, “What happens now?”
“I investigate.”
“And me?”
“You decide whether you still want to be with me.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I’m not leaving because you have money.”
Olivia smiled faintly.
“I know.”
“I’m leaving if you keep secrets from me.”
She nodded.
“That’s fair.”
Ethan reached for her hand.
“Then start telling me the truth.”
Olivia squeezed his fingers.
“I will.”
Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked across the street.
Or the man inside taking photographs of Ethan.
