A voice answered immediately.
"Marcus?"
"Your manager is humiliating my father in your lobby."
There was silence.
Then Richard asked,
"What?"
"Come downstairs."
"What's going on?"
"She refused to verify his reservation and had security remove him."
Richard's voice changed.
"She actually did that?"
"Come down and let her explain it herself."
"I'll be there immediately."
The call ended.
Rosa laughed.
"You seriously called Richard?"
Marcus put his phone away.
"Yes."
"He'll personally send both of you out."
Marcus said nothing.
Walter watched his son carefully.
He knew that expression.
Marcus was no longer angry.
He was waiting.
Waiting for Rosa to reveal everything herself.
The VIP elevator opened.
Richard Lawson stepped into the lobby.
He was the hotel's director and one of the most experienced executives in the entire company.
The moment Rosa saw him, she hurried toward him.
"Richard, thank God."
Richard looked concerned.
"What happened?"
Rosa pointed toward Walter.
"These two have been causing trouble."
Richard looked at Marcus.
Then at Walter.
Then back at Rosa.
"What kind of trouble?"
Rosa spoke quickly.
"He came into the hotel dressed like that and demanded luxury service. I asked him to leave."
Marcus interrupted.
"He had a confirmed reservation."
Rosa rolled her eyes.
"He claims he did."
Richard's face became serious.
"Did you check?"
Rosa hesitated.
"Richard..."
"Did you check the reservation?"
"No."
Richard stared at her.
"Why not?"
She gestured toward Walter.
"Because it was obvious."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Obvious what?"
"That he wasn't the kind of guest we normally receive."
Marcus spoke quietly.
"She never checked my father's name."
Richard turned toward Walter.
"Mr. Brooks, is that correct?"
"Yes."
Richard looked at Rosa.
"Did you have him escorted outside?"
"Yes."
Richard's voice became colder.
"Without verifying the reservation?"
Rosa became defensive.
"I was protecting the hotel."
Richard looked at Walter again.
Then at Marcus.
Something suddenly seemed to click.
His face changed.
He looked at Walter more carefully.
"Mr. Brooks?"
Walter nodded.
Richard's eyes widened.
Then he looked at Marcus.
"You're Marcus Brooks."
"Yes."
The color drained from Rosa's face.
Richard took a breath.
"Mr. Walter Brooks."
The lobby became silent.
"Father of Marcus Brooks."
Rosa stared.
Richard continued.
"Chairman of Brooks Hospitality Group."
Walter said nothing.
Rosa looked at Marcus.
Then Walter.
Then the hotel around her.
The marble floor.
The crystal chandeliers.
The expensive furniture.
Everything suddenly looked different.
She had just thrown the owner's father out of his own hotel.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Marcus looked at her.
"You shouldn't have needed to know who he was."
Rosa swallowed.
"You're firing me?"