And for the past three months, the Vales had been trying to buy the resort—without realizing the “anonymous owner” they were flattering in emails was sitting right in front of them at dinner.
I set the salad down again.
Eleanor sneered. “The help doesn’t eat with family.”
I met her gaze.
“Good to know,” I said calmly. “Because the help owns this resort.”
Silence hit harder than the crashing waves.
Daniel dropped his fork.
Eleanor let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “Excuse me?”
I pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Please,” I said, unfolding my napkin. “Go on. I’d love to hear what else you think belongs to you.”
Victor recovered first, leaning back with a practiced smile. “Maya, business ownership is more complicated than you think.”
“Very,” I replied.
Claire rolled her eyes. “This is embarrassing.”
“No,” I said quietly. “It’s about to be.”
Daniel grabbed my wrist under the table. “Stop.”
I looked at his hand until he pulled it away.
That small retreat told me everything.
Eleanor’s voice sharpened. “Daniel, control your wife.”
I almost laughed—not because it was funny, but because she was handing me exactly what I needed.
Victor slid a folder onto the table. “Vale Capital already has preliminary approval to purchase this property. The owner is ready. We’ll finalize within thirty days.”
I took a sip of wine. “No, you won’t.”
Claire scoffed. “And how would you know that?”
“Because I declined your offer this morning.”
The table went still again.
Victor’s smile tightened.
I reached into my clutch and placed a black key card beside my plate—the executive master key.
Eleanor stared at it.
