The Waitress She Humiliated Was The Restaurant Owner

Chapter 3 - The Deal Daniel Was Never Supposed To Read

Brooke tried to stand.

"I think we should reschedule."

Daniel remained seated.

"No."

"Daniel—"

"You asked me to invest twelve million dollars."

His voice was calm.

"Now I'm asking what property files I'm not supposed to see."

Brooke picked up her handbag.

"My attorney can answer that."

Claire spoke before she could leave.

"Is Mason Grant your attorney?"

Brooke froze.

Daniel looked at Claire.

"You know him?"

Claire nodded slowly.

"I know the name."

Three months earlier, a company called Grant Development had tried to buy the building containing Claire's second restaurant.

When Claire refused, strange things started happening.

False health complaints.

Anonymous reports to the city.

A sudden challenge to the restaurant's lease.

Claire's attorney had discovered that Grant Development was connected to several shell companies purchasing independent restaurants at distressed prices.

She had not yet found who was funding them.

Until now.

"Mason Grant has been trying to force me out of one of my properties," Claire said.

Brooke's eyes narrowed.

"That's ridiculous."

Claire looked at Daniel.

"Your deal with Brooke. What exactly are you investing in?"

"Her company is buying distressed restaurant properties and converting them into luxury dining concepts."

Claire gave a humorless laugh.

"Distressed?"

Daniel understood immediately.

"They're creating the distress."

Brooke shook her head.

"No. Absolutely not."

Daniel took out his phone and called his attorney.

"Stop the Carter Hospitality transfer. Effective immediately."

Brooke's face changed completely.

"You can't do that."

"I haven't signed."

"We have an agreement."

"We have negotiations."

Her polished manner disappeared.

"Do you have any idea what happens if you pull out now?"

Daniel looked at her.

"I imagine that's exactly what I'm about to find out."

Brooke lowered her voice.

"You'll destroy months of work."

Claire stared at her.

"How many restaurant owners did you destroy first?"

Brooke snapped.

"Don't pretend you're one of them. Look at this place. You're rich now."

Claire's eyes hardened.

And there it was.

The same Brooke from high school.

The belief that cruelty only mattered when directed at someone important.

"That's your mistake," Claire said.

"It mattered when I was poor too."

Brooke grabbed her coat.

Before leaving, she turned toward Daniel.

"You'll regret embarrassing me."

Daniel didn't answer.

Claire did.

"No."

She looked straight at Brooke.

"You just finally met someone you couldn't humiliate without consequences."

Brooke left.

But the following morning, Claire's flagship restaurant received an emergency closure notice.

And Mason Grant's name was on the complaint.