I was quietly cutting my daughter’s chicken when the manager stopped beside our table and sneered, “People like you don’t belong in this section.”
I mean.”
Then she pulled out her phone.
“Security? I need assistance removing a customer.”
Maria went pale.
“Ms. Cole, please—”
“You’re finished for tonight,” Vanessa said. “Go clock out.”
Maria stared at her. “You’re firing me?”
“I’m considering it.”
Daniel interrupted.
“No, you aren’t.”
Vanessa slowly turned.
“Excuse me?”
Daniel’s phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Lobby. Corporate counsel and regional director present.
Daniel slipped the phone away.
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You have exactly two minutes before security escorts you outside.”
Daniel nodded.
“Then two minutes should be enough.”
He stood.
At six foot two, he suddenly looked very different from the tired customer Vanessa had dismissed.
“Maria,” he said, “when did she start forcing staff to remove customers based on appearance?”
Maria froze.
Vanessa’s confidence faltered.
“Don’t answer.”
Daniel continued.
“Were employees ordered to exaggerate wait times for customers she considered ‘low value’?”
Maria stared at him.
“How
