«What’s taking so long? Everyone’s waiting for…» He spotted me and his face dropped. «Eleanor? Didn’t expect to see you here.»
«Clearly not,» I replied.
«Gavin just made vice president at his bank,» my mother announced proudly.
«Junior vice president,» I corrected automatically, knowing his exact position because his bank handled some of my smaller accounts. My financial team provided me detailed reports on all our banking partners.
«Well, it’s more impressive than whatever you’re doing,» Vanessa snapped. «What is it now? Assistant manager at some chain restaurant?»
I thought about the board meeting I’d left early this morning, where we discussed acquiring that very bank Gavin worked for. The paperwork was probably still sitting on my desk upstairs in my private office. «Something like that,» I said.
«This is ridiculous,» my mother declared. «Eleanor, just go. You’re making a scene. I’ll tell your father you couldn’t make it.»
«Couldn’t afford it, you mean,» Vanessa added with a laugh.
I looked past them through the grand entrance at the hotel I’d built from the ground up, at the marble floors I’d selected, the crystal chandeliers I’d commissioned, the artwork I’d personally curated. All of it, every inch, was mine. For a moment, I considered walking away. Let them have their party. Let them keep believing what they wanted to believe.
But then I remembered something my first mentor had told me: «Success doesn’t mean anything if you can’t stand up for yourself.» My jaw tightened as I straightened my shoulders, feeling the strength of everything I’d built without their support or approval. My fingers stopped tingling, a calm clarity washing over me.
«Actually,» I said quietly, «I think I’ll stay.»
Before my mother could respond, the heavy glass doors swung open and Owen, my head of security, stepped out. He’d been with me since I bought my first struggling hotel seven years ago, helping transform it into the flagship of the Azure chain.
«Is everything all right here, Madam CEO?» His voice carried clearly across the entrance. «Your usual table is ready, and Chef Michelle held the menu tasting for your approval.»
The silence that followed was deafening. Vanessa’s mouth fell open, her perfectly applied lipstick suddenly garish against her pale face. My mother gripped the brass door handle for support.
«Owen,» I smiled warmly. «Perfect timing. My family was just explaining how I couldn’t afford to dine here.»
«Ma’am?» He looked genuinely confused. «But you own the entire hotel chain.»
«Yes, I do,» I turned to my stunned family. «Shall we go inside? I believe you’ve reserved the VIP floor. My VIP floor, to be precise.»
Gavin found his voice first. «This… this is some kind of joke. You’re just a restaurant manager.»
«Actually,» Owen interjected professionally, «Miss Eleanor is the founder and CEO of Azure Hospitality Group. She owns all 35 Grand Azure hotels worldwide, along with our resort properties and restaurant chains.»
Vanessa’s designer clutch slipped from her fingers, clattering on the marble steps. «But… but that’s impossible. The Grand Azure is worth billions.»
«I finished for her,» which makes your comment about me not being able to afford the tasting menu rather amusing. I stepped past them into my hotel’s lobby, where the staff immediately straightened to attention.
«Good evening, Miss Eleanor,» my front desk manager called out. «The executive suite is prepared for your father’s birthday celebration.»
«Thank you, Rachel.» I turned back to my family, still frozen in the doorway. «Coming?»
They followed me in silence, looking around as if seeing the hotel for the first time. Every staff member we passed greeted me by name, each showing respect.
«Your dress,» my mother finally managed, staring at my simple black dress with new eyes.
«Custom made in Paris, around $30,000, I believe,» I said. «I have a terrible habit of not checking price tags anymore.» I led them to the private elevator, the one that required a special key I pulled from my clutch. «Unlike Vanessa’s dress, which I believe is a knockoff. The real Valentino collection hasn’t been released yet. I know because I attended the private showing last month.»
The elevator doors opened directly into the VIP lounge, where my father’s birthday celebration was in full swing. The room fell silent as we entered.
«Eleanor?» My father stood up from his place at the head table, his face a mix of shock and confusion. «What are you doing here? Your mother said you couldn’t afford it.»
«I finished,» walking over to him. «Happy birthday. I hope you don’t mind that I’m crashing the party in my own hotel.»
«Your hotel?» Mr. Harrison from the bank stepped forward, his face breaking into a relieved smile. «Miss Eleanor, I had no idea you were related to Robert Thompson! We’ve been trying to secure a meeting with you for months about that loan.»
«Eleanor owns the Grand Azure?» Thomas Anderson joined in. «My God, Robert, your daughter is the mysterious CEO who’s been buying up prime real estate across the city.»
My father sank back into his chair, the color draining from his face. «All this time… when we thought you were just a glorified waitress?»
I raised an eyebrow. «Your words, I believe, from the day I left the family firm to pursue my dreams in hospitality.»
«But why didn’t you tell us?» my mother demanded, still clutching her pearls like a lifeline.
«Would you have believed me?» I asked quietly. «You didn’t believe in me ten years ago when I needed your support. Why would I share my success with people who only measure worth by the size of someone’s bank account?» I paused. «Though by that metric, I suppose I’m worth more than everyone in this room combined.»
Vanessa collapsed into a nearby chair, her face ashen. «The villa in the south of France I tried to rent last summer… the one that was mysteriously unavailable?»
«Mine,» I confirmed. «My property manager forwarded me your reservation request, not realizing the connection.» I glanced at Gavin. «Just like the office building your firm is struggling to lease, Gavin, and the resort membership you’ve been waitlisted for, mother.»
«Eleanor,» my father started, his voice unsteady. «I… we…»
«Save it.» I held up my hand. «I didn’t reveal this to hurt you, though you’ve hurt me plenty over the years. I did it because I’m tired of hiding my success to spare your pride.» I turned to address the room. «Please enjoy the party. Everything is on the house. My house.»
I started to walk away, then paused. «Oh, and dad, that envelope Vanessa wouldn’t let me give you? It’s the deed to a villa in Tuscany, one of my most exclusive properties. Consider it a birthday gift from your failure of a daughter.»
