Theo’s attorney went silent for a beat.
“You’re certain?”
“My father required every governance authorization involving my shares to carry a tactile seal in the lower right corner.
The seal is registered with independent counsel.
This page does not have one.”
Sarah recovered quickly.
“That does not prove anyone here created it.”
“No,” Theo said.
“The printer code will help with that.”
Odessa examined the bottom margin.
A tiny sequence of numbers had been printed beneath the footer.
Theo’s attorney asked her to read it aloud.
When she finished, the attorney said, “That sequence belongs to the administrative printer in the Whitcomb housekeeping office.
It was registered during last year’s equipment audit.”
Sarah reached for the folder.
Odessa pulled it back.
The movement was small, but everyone saw it.
“You are fired,” Sarah said.
Odessa’s stomach dropped even though she had expected the threat.
Sarah continued, louder now.
“You removed confidential property, violated guest privacy, and interfered in corporate business.
Turn over your service card and leave the premises.”
Theo’s voice remained quiet.
“You cannot fire her.”
“I am the head housekeeper.”
“And I am the controlling owner of the hotel.”
Sarah laughed, but the sound came out thin.
“For the moment.”
The words settled over the room.
Theo turned his face toward her.
“Thank you.”
Sarah blinked.
“For what?”
“For admitting that this has nothing to do with housekeeping.”
The attorney’s voice returned from the phone.
“I have the statement recorded.”
Sarah’s hand closed around her ring.
Then she made the mistake that ended whatever chance she had left.
She looked directly at Theo and said, “You cannot prove what you did not see.”
Odessa felt the cruelty in the sentence before she understood its stupidity.
Theo did not flinch.
“No,” he said.
“But I can hear the person who stood outside my door waiting for me to fail.
I can hear the same ring hitting the same metal.
And Odessa can see every page you expected me to sign.”
Sarah glanced at Lauren and Paige.
“Tell him,” she ordered.
Paige spoke first.
“Mr.
Kane became aggressive.”
“When?” Theo asked.
“Yesterday morning.”
“What did I say?”
Paige hesitated.
“You threatened the staff.”
“With which words?”
