Marcus didn't answer immediately.
Richard did.
"Yes."
Rosa turned toward him.
"Richard!"
"You humiliated a guest."
"He didn't look like—"
Richard interrupted.
"Don't say it."
She stopped.
Richard stepped closer.
"You didn't check his reservation."
"I thought—"
"You judged him."
"I was doing my job."
"No."
Richard's voice remained calm.
"You were abusing your position."
Rosa looked toward Marcus.
"You're firing me because of him?"
Marcus shook his head.
"I'm firing you because of what you did."
"He doesn't belong here."
Marcus looked directly at her.
"That's not your decision."
Rosa's eyes filled with anger.
"You have no idea how hard I've worked for this position."
Marcus nodded.
"I believe you."
"Then why?"
"Because working hard doesn't give you permission to humiliate people."
She looked at Walter.
"He looked like someone who couldn't afford this place."
Walter remained silent.
Richard answered for him.
"And that was enough for you?"
Rosa didn't respond.
Richard continued.
"That's exactly why you're finished."
Rosa's breathing became heavier.
She felt cornered.
Then something changed in her expression.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
Marcus noticed.
"Who are you calling?"
Rosa smiled.
"You'll see."
She selected a contact.
"Dad."
Marcus's expression changed slightly.
"Please come down."
She listened.
"They just fired me."
She ended the call.
Then she looked at Marcus.
"You should have waited."
Ten minutes later, another elevator opened.
An older man stepped out.
He was around sixty-five, silver-haired, impeccably dressed, and carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to being respected.
Rosa immediately walked toward him.
"Dad."
Charles Whitmore looked at his daughter.
"What happened?"
Rosa pointed toward Marcus.
"He fired me."
Charles looked at Marcus.
Then Walter.
Then Richard.
"Why?"
Rosa spoke quickly.
"I was doing my job. A man came in dressed like he didn't belong. He claimed he had a luxury reservation. I asked him to leave."
Charles looked at Walter.
Then back at Rosa.
"And?"
"His son showed up and threatened everyone."
Marcus said nothing.
Richard sighed.
"That's not what happened."
Charles turned.
"What happened?"
Richard explained everything.
Rosa had never checked the reservation.
She had judged Walter by his clothing.
She had called security.
She had continued insulting him after Marcus arrived.
Charles listened without interrupting.
When Richard finished, Charles slowly turned toward his daughter.
"Did you refuse to check his reservation?"
Rosa looked down.
"Yes."
"Did you have him removed?"
"Yes."
"Did you insult him?"
Rosa hesitated.
"I told him he didn't belong here."
Charles closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he looked toward Marcus.
"You are Marcus Brooks."
"Yes."
Charles nodded slowly.
He had heard the name many times.
Then he looked at Walter.