That calmness made Walter understand something Rosa still had not.
Marcus was no longer trying to convince her.
He was waiting for her to finish exposing herself.
The VIP elevator opened.
Richard stepped into the lobby.
Rosa immediately hurried toward him.
“Richard, thank God. These two have been a problem all morning.”
Richard looked past her.
“What kind of problem?”
Rosa pointed at Walter.
“He came in expecting luxury service he obviously can’t pay for.”
Marcus spoke.
“He has a confirmed reservation.”
Rosa rolled her eyes.
“Anyone can claim that once they get caught.”
Richard’s face tightened.
“Did you ever look up his name?”
“Why bother when it was obvious?”
Marcus answered for him.
“She never checked. She just had security put him outside.”
Rosa became irritated.
“Richard, just look at them. You know what I mean.”
Richard stared at her.
“Do you even know who these men are?”
Rosa gave a small laugh.
“Am I supposed to?”
Richard straightened.
“That is Mr. Walter Brooks, father of Marcus Brooks—the chairman who owns this hotel group.”
The color drained from Rosa’s face.
The lobby became very quiet.
For several seconds, Rosa could not speak.
Marcus stepped closer to his father.
Then he looked at her.
“You shouldn’t have needed to know who he was.”
Rosa swallowed.
“You’re firing me because of this?”
“I’m firing you because you humiliated a guest and never bothered to verify his reservation.”
Rosa pointed toward Walter.
“He didn’t look like someone who belonged here.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“And that is exactly why you’re finished.”
Rosa stared at them in disbelief.
“After everything I’ve given this hotel?”
Marcus placed a hand on Walter’s shoulder.
“None of that gives you the right to look down on people.”
Her shock became anger.
“You really think you can walk in and take my job?”
Marcus looked directly at her.
“I already did.”
A strange expression crossed Rosa’s face.
Not fear.
Confidence.