The Waitress Called Off The Deal

Chapter 1 - The Wine She Threw

Victoria Hale barely looked at the young waitress when the wine bottle slipped from the table.

Her elbow had knocked it over while reaching for her handbag.

The bottle rolled toward the edge.

The waitress moved instantly.

She crouched and caught it with both hands seconds before it struck the marble floor.

Victoria stared down at her.

“Be careful! That costs more than your salary!”

The waitress, Sofia Moretti, slowly stood.

Her breathing was still uneven from the sudden movement.

“Ma’am, I caught it.”

Victoria's expression hardened.

She picked up the glass already filled with red wine.

“Don’t ever talk back.”

Before Sofia could react, Victoria threw the wine directly across her chest.

Dark red spread over Sofia’s pale blue shirt and apron.

Several diners turned.

Victoria placed the empty glass down.

“Clean yourself up.”

She dropped a napkin at Sofia’s feet.

Sofia looked down at her uniform.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then restaurant manager Michael Grant rushed over.

His face changed the instant he saw her.

“Ms. Moretti! Shall I call your winery’s driver?”

Victoria froze.

Her gaze moved toward the bottle.

MORETTI.

Then toward Sofia’s name badge.

MORETTI.

“You…” Victoria whispered. “You own the winery?”

Sofia picked up the bottle.

“Yes.”

Then she looked directly at Victoria.

“And our deal is off.”

Victoria immediately stood.

“Wait.”

Sofia turned.

Victoria’s arrogance was gone.

“You can’t cancel it over this.”

Sofia looked at the wine dripping from her sleeve.

“I didn’t cancel it because you ruined my shirt.”

Victoria frowned.

“Then why?”

Sofia glanced toward a man sitting several tables away.

He had been watching everything.

Victoria recognized him.

Her husband.

Richard Hale.

And when their eyes met, Richard looked terrified.

Sofia smiled coldly.

“I canceled it because your husband already tried to steal my company.”