Chapter 2: The Woman Who Owned Everything
Chapter 2: The Woman Who Owned Everything
Silence swallowed the ballroom.
Margaret's lips parted, but no words came out.
The guests looked from Linda Harris to the hotel manager who had just hurried into the room.
"Mrs. Harris," the manager said respectfully, his voice carrying across the ballroom. "We were looking everywhere for you. The board members have already arrived for tonight's meeting."
Every eye widened.
Board members?
Margaret laughed nervously.
"This has to be some kind of joke."
The manager blinked in confusion.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mrs. Harris has owned the Grand Windsor Hotel for twelve years. Everyone on the executive staff knows her."
The room erupted into whispers.
Emily slowly turned toward Linda.
"You...you own this place?"
Linda smiled gently.
"I never thought it was something I needed to announce."
Margaret's face drained of color.
"But...you're dressed like..."
"A guest?" Linda finished calmly.
"I've always believed people should recognize character before labels."
The groom, Daniel, suddenly remembered something.
His late father had often spoken about an anonymous investor who saved the hotel from bankruptcy years ago.
No one had ever known who she was.
Now he did.
Linda.
The woman everyone had just tried to throw out of her own hotel.
Margaret stumbled backward, unable to process what had happened.
May you like
For the first time that evening...
She had absolutely no control.
