As Victoria raised her hand to strike Maya a second time, a tall, commanding figure in an immaculate grey suit stepped firmly through the ring of onlookers. It was Arthur Vance, the elusive billionaire owner of the Grand Marquis Hotel chain, who had been watching the scene unfold from the VIP mezzanine. Arthur placed himself directly between Victoria and the young waitress, his tall frame shielding Maya completely from further harm. His presence radiated absolute authority, instantly shifting the atmosphere in the room from chaotic bullying to intense corporate tension.
Victoria adjusted her red dress, assuming the hotel owner had stepped in to fire the server personally. "Arthur, thank goodness you're here," Victoria sneered, flashing a fake, charming smile. "This incompetent waitress was bothering your board members. I was simply taking care of it for you." But Arthur didn't smile back. His stern face remained ice-cold as he looked down at Victoria with utter disgust. "You are threatening my daughter in her own hotel," Arthur declared in a deep, booming voice that echoed off the high marble pillars, revealing to the entire room that Maya was not a simple employee, but the undercover heiress testing the hotel's operations from the ground up.