Chapter 4: The Name Behind the Call
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
My father stood in the middle of the Sterling Grand lobby, staring at Marcus Reed as though he had just heard something impossible.
“Repeat that,” Dad said.
Marcus swallowed.
“The person who contacted me this morning said the instruction came from someone in your family.””
Dad's jaw tightened.
“Did they give you a name?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Yes, sir.””
“Whose name?””
Marcus looked toward Victoria.
She immediately shook her head.
“Don't look at me. I have no idea what he's talking about.””
Dad didn't acknowledge her.
“Mr. Reed, I'm going to ask you one more time. Who gave you that instruction?””
Marcus wiped his forehead.
“A woman named Evelyn.””
Dad's expression changed.
I recognized that name.
Evelyn Brooks was my father's younger sister.
My aunt.
She was the only surviving sibling my father had, and for most of my childhood, she had been a regular presence in our lives.
She had attended my graduation, helped organize my wedding, and held Grace in the hospital shortly after she was born.
At least, I thought she had been happy about Grace's arrival.
“What exactly did Aunt Evelyn tell you?”” I asked.
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
“She said you might arrive today. She instructed us not to let you use the hotel's facilities and to contact her immediately if you appeared.””
My stomach twisted.
“Why would she do that?””
Marcus didn't answer.
My father looked at Daniel.
“Call Evelyn.””
Daniel immediately took out his phone.
But before he could dial, Victoria spoke.
“Perhaps we should all calm down. There seems to be a misunderstanding.””
Dad turned toward her.
“Mrs. Hale, you have already had several opportunities to explain your involvement. I suggest you use the next few minutes wisely.””
Victoria folded her arms.
“I have done nothing wrong.””
“Then you should have no difficulty cooperating with the investigation.””
Robert stepped forward.
“Richard, I think we're getting carried away. My wife has nothing to do with your family affairs.””
Dad looked at him.
“You seem unusually interested in protecting her.””
Robert's expression hardened.
“She's my wife.””
“And Danielle is my daughter.””
The two men stared at each other.
Then Daniel's phone connected.
“Mr. Brooks,” he said, placing the call on speaker.
A woman's voice answered.
“Richard? What a surprise. Is something wrong?””
Dad looked at the phone.
“Evelyn, where are you?””
“At home. Why?””
“Did you contact the Sterling Grand this morning?””
Silence.
It lasted only two seconds, but I noticed it.
“About what?””
“About Danielle.””
Another pause.
Then my aunt sighed.
“Oh, Richard. I was hoping we wouldn't have to discuss this today.””
My heart sank.
“Discuss what?”” I asked.
“Danielle?””
Her voice suddenly became sweeter.
“Darling, why are you there?””
I stared at the phone.
“Why did you tell the hotel not to let me inside?””
“That's not what I said.””
Marcus looked at the floor.
My father remained still.
“Evelyn,” he said, “the manager claims you instructed him to refuse Danielle access.””
“I was trying to prevent a misunderstanding.””
“What misunderstanding?””
“Richard, you know how complicated family matters can become.””
Dad's voice grew colder.
“Be specific.””
My aunt exhaled.
“I heard that Danielle was planning to visit one of the properties and make a scene. I simply wanted to avoid an uncomfortable situation.””
I felt my face grow hot.
“Make a scene? Aunt Evelyn, I came here to sit down after Grace's appointment.””
“I didn't know that.””
“You didn't even ask!””
“Danielle, please don't become emotional.””
That sentence hurt more than I expected.
I looked at my father.
He was watching me carefully.
“Aunt Evelyn,” I said, “did you know Victoria Hale would be here?””
Silence.
Then my aunt answered.
“I know Victoria socially.””
Victoria immediately looked up.
I turned toward her.
“You know my aunt?””
She didn't respond.
My father noticed.
“Evelyn, how long have you known Victoria Hale?””
“Richard, I don't see why that matters.””
“Answer the question.””
“A few years.””
Dad closed his eyes.
Then he asked something I hadn't expected.
“Have you been discussing Danielle with her?””
My aunt's voice became defensive.
“This is getting ridiculous.””
“Have you?””
“Richard, I was only trying to protect the family.””
“From what?””
There was a long pause.
Then Evelyn said something that made my chest tighten.
“From Danielle making decisions that could damage what we've spent decades building.””
I stared at the phone.
“What decisions?””
My aunt ignored me.
“Richard, we need to talk in person.””
“Fine,” Dad replied.
“Come to the hotel.””
“I don't think that's appropriate.””
“Then we can have this conversation in front of everyone here.””
My aunt's breathing changed.
“Richard, please. Don't do this.””
Dad ended the call.
He looked at Daniel.
“Find out everything about the instruction. I want the original message, the call records, and the name of the person who authorized the request.””
“Yes, sir.””
Then Dad turned toward Marcus.
“You are being temporarily relieved of your managerial duties while this is investigated.””
Marcus looked devastated.
“Mr. Brooks, please. I can explain.””
“You will have an opportunity to explain everything.””
“I've worked here six years.””
“And I expect you to remember that before making decisions that could put a guest in danger.””
Marcus lowered his head.
Victoria suddenly stepped forward.
“This is outrageous. You're destroying a man's career because of a misunderstanding involving your daughter.””
Dad looked at her.
“Your concern for Mr. Reed is touching, considering he helped you remove my daughter from the property.””
Victoria's face flushed.
Robert grabbed her arm.
“Enough, Victoria.””
She pulled away.
“Don't tell me what to do!””
Robert looked at my father.
“Richard, I apologize for the scene. I will speak with my wife privately.””
Dad nodded.
“Please do.””
Then Robert leaned closer.
His voice became quieter.
“But I strongly advise you not to pursue this family matter any further.””
My father looked at him.
“Is that advice or a threat?””
Robert forced a smile.
“Neither. Just business.””
Dad stepped closer.
“Then let me give you some business advice. Never confuse my patience with weakness.””
Robert's smile disappeared.
Before anyone could respond, the elevator doors opened.
A woman in a cream-colored coat stepped out.
Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun. She wore pearl earrings and carried a structured handbag.
I recognized her immediately.
“Aunt Evelyn?””
She walked toward us.
“Danielle, sweetheart.””
She opened her arms.
I didn't move.
Her smile faltered.
“What's wrong?””
I looked at her.
“You tell me.””
She glanced at my cheek.
“Oh, goodness. What happened to your face?””
I stared at her.
“Someone slapped me.””
She looked shocked.
Then she turned toward Victoria.
“Victoria?””
Victoria immediately shook her head.
“Don't look at me. I barely touched her.””
My aunt sighed.
“Richard, this is exactly what I was afraid of.””
Dad's expression became dangerously calm.
“You were afraid of Danielle being assaulted?””
Evelyn looked offended.
“Don't twist my words.””
Dad pointed toward the reception desk.
“Daniel has the footage. Marcus has confirmed your instruction. And Victoria has already admitted striking Danielle.””
My aunt looked at Marcus.
Then at Daniel.
Then at me.
Finally, she lowered her voice.
“Richard, can we speak privately?””
“No.””
Her eyebrows rose.
“What?””
“You wanted this handled through private instructions. You wanted my daughter excluded from a property she had every right to visit. Now we're going to discuss it openly.””
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“You're making a mistake.””
Dad didn't answer.
Instead, he asked Daniel to bring up the envelope exchange on the security footage.
Daniel showed us the image.
My aunt looked at it for a long time.
Then she whispered:
“Victoria wasn't supposed to touch her.””
The words landed like a stone.
I felt my breath catch.
My father stared at his sister.
“What did you just say?””
Evelyn's eyes widened.
She realized what she'd admitted.
“I mean, I never asked her to do anything like that.””
Victoria suddenly shouted.
“Evelyn, don't you dare put this on me!””
Robert turned toward his wife.
“What is going on?””
Evelyn stepped backward.
“I think everyone needs to understand that there are things Danielle doesn't know.””
My father moved closer.
“Then tell us.””
She looked directly at me.
May you like
And for the first time in my life, my aunt seemed genuinely afraid of what she was about to say.
“Danielle,” she whispered, “your father hasn't told you the truth about the family trust.””
