Victoria Caldwell Was Watching

Victoria stood near the champagne table.

She was elegant.

Perfectly styled.

Diamond earrings.

Black designer gown.

The kind of posture that made people move before she ever asked them to.

She watched Nathan walk away.

Then she looked at Emily.

Emily noticed.

She tried to ignore it.

A few seconds later, Victoria stepped directly into her path.

“Excuse me.”

Emily stopped.

“Yes, ma’am?”

Victoria looked down at Emily’s uniform.

Then back at her face.

“What were you talking to my son about?”

Emily blinked.

“He asked me where the restroom was.”

Victoria stared at her.

“That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“You seemed very friendly.”

Emily wasn’t sure how to answer that.

“I was just helping a guest.”

Victoria gave a small laugh.

But there was nothing friendly about it.

“Of course.”

Emily started to walk away.

Victoria moved in front of her again.

“Girls Like You Know Exactly What They’re Doing”

Emily tightened her grip on the tray.

“Is there something else you need?”

Victoria lowered her voice.

“My son is engaged.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

Emily waited.

Victoria continued.

“So there shouldn’t be any confusion.”

Emily stared at her.

“Confusion about what?”

Victoria glanced at Emily’s uniform.

Then toward Nathan.

Then back at Emily.

“Girls like you sometimes see a room like this and start getting ideas.”

Emily’s expression changed.

“What does that mean?”

Victoria smiled faintly.

“You know exactly what it means.”

Emily’s face became warm.

Several guests nearby had started listening.

She could feel it.

“I think you’ve misunderstood what happened.”

Victoria replied:

“I’ve seen it before.”

Emily looked around.

“Seen what?”

“Pretty young employees becoming very interested in wealthy guests.”