Chapter 5 - The Master Deed
"You are looking at her, Preston," I said softly.
The room went dead silent.
The heavy tick of the grandfather clock in the corner sounded like a sledgehammer hitting wood.
Vanessa let out an unstable, nervous laugh. "Maya, stop playing games! This isn't funny! You work in entry-level hospitality! You used to work at a coffee shop!"
I didn't look at Vanessa. I opened the leather folder, revealing the official, state-stamped property deed for Crystal Bay Resort and Spa, alongside the corporate registration papers for Campbell Hospitality Holdings.
"Six years ago," I explained, looking directly into Preston Wellington's wide, bloodshot eyes, "I founded Campbell Hospitality Holdings. Three years ago, my firm acquired a sixty percent controlling stake in this property. Last winter, I bought out the remaining equity partners. I own the land, I own the buildings, and I employ every single person on this property."
Trevor’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He looked at the legal documents on the desk, then at Michael Chin, begging for a contradiction.
Michael stood at absolute attention. "Miss Campbell is the principal owner and Chairwoman of the Board of Crystal Bay Hospitality Group, Mr. Wellington. Her authority on this property is absolute."
Vanessa stepped backward, her hand flying to her mouth, her face draining of all color so fast she looked like she might faint onto the Persian rug. "Owner...? You... you own Crystal Bay?"
"How?" Preston stammered, his booming voice suddenly collapsing into a weak, raspy whisper. "You're thirty-two years old..."
"I made better choices, Mr. Wellington," I said, using the exact phrase my brother had thrown in my face twelve hours earlier. "I spent ten years building a private portfolio while my family assumed I was struggling. But we aren't here to discuss my career. We are here to discuss your bill."
Preston swallowed hard, his previous rage rapidly evaporating into pure terror as he realized he was speaking to a billionaire property mogul rather than an easily intimidated middle manager.
"Now," I continued, leaning back in my leather chair and crossing my hands over the desk. "You have two choices tonight, Preston. Option one: you pay the fifty thousand dollar balance in full right now, using a verified corporate wire or certified credit card."
"And... and option two?" Preston asked nervously.
"Option two," I said, my voice hardening like tempered steel, "is that I press criminal fraud and theft of services charges against your son, Trevor, for authorizing charges on a corporate account he didn't have legal clearance to use. Furthermore, I will personally file an immediate civil suit against your dealership network for the verbal abuse and harassment you inflicted upon my staff tonight—specifically Maria."
Preston gasped. "Maria? The server?!"
May you like
"She has worked for me for twelve years," I said, standing up from my chair and leaning over the desk so I was inches from his face. "In my company, we respect the people who do the work. You snapped your fingers at her, called her 'the help,' and threw trash at her feet. That alone makes you unwelcome on my property."
Trevor grabbed his father's arm, panic written all over his face. "Dad... pay the bill. Dad, please! Just pay the bill!"
