James nodded.
“As of three minutes ago, Maya Hospitality Group owns the operating assets.”
Maya looked through the glass.
Brittany was laughing with Derek.
Richard was talking to a table of regulars, already retelling whatever version of the confrontation preserved his dignity.
Maya opened the portfolio.
Signatures.
Notary acknowledgments.
Wire confirmation.
Assignment documents.
Closing certificate.
Nothing magical.
Nothing improvised.
Five months of lawyers, accountants, inspections, negotiations, financing, regulatory work, and seller discussions.
The only unexpected part was what Maya had learned in the final twenty minutes.
James studied her.
“You want to postpone operational notice until morning?”
The original transition plan called for current management to be formally informed after closing and remain temporarily in place pending evaluation.
Maya looked through the window again.
“No.”
James followed her gaze.
“What did they do?”
“Enough.”
David frowned.
“Maya, employment decisions still need process.”
“I know.”
“I’m not firing a dining room because my feelings are hurt.”
James looked relieved.
“Good.”
Maya continued.
“But Richard, Derek, and Brittany are not staying in active guest-facing positions tonight.”
“That I can support.”
“Security?”
“Mixed.”
“Senior guard followed management.”
“Younger guard hesitated.”
Maya looked toward the busser visible inside.
“There are witnesses.”
James nodded.
“Then we preserve evidence first.”
Zara noticed Maya returning before anyone else.
The livestream comments exploded.
She’s coming back.
Who are those men?
Lawyer?
Is that James Morrison?
Zara knew the name.
Anyone who covered restaurant acquisitions knew Morrison & Associates.
She turned the camera.
Maya entered with James and David.
The energy in the foyer changed immediately.
Brittany frowned.
“I thought you left.”
Richard approached.
“I made myself clear.”
Maya stopped at the same spot where her reservation had been torn.
“I believe you did.”
James stepped beside her.
Richard looked at him.
“And you are?”
“James Morrison.”
Richard’s face changed slightly.
Recognition.
“Morrison & Associates?”
“Yes.”
“What does that have to do with this?”
James opened the portfolio.
“Meridian Prime.”
Richard stared.
Maya spoke.
“The Harricks family has been negotiating the sale of the restaurant’s operating assets for several months.”
Richard laughed.
“That’s absurd.”
“The owners would tell me.”
James answered:
“They were not contractually required to disclose negotiations before closing.”
Richard’s smile disappeared.
James placed one document on the hostess counter.
“Closing completed at 8:03 this evening.”
“Effective ownership of Meridian Prime Restaurant LLC’s operating assets has transferred to Maya Hospitality Group.”
Brittany stared at the document.
Derek shook his head.
“No.”
David produced his tablet.
“Wire confirmation.”
“Seller acknowledgment.”
“Assignment.”
“Transition authority.”
Richard’s eyes moved from one screen to another.
“This isn’t possible.”
Maya reached into her handbag.
Took out a business card.
Set it precisely where the torn reservation had fallen.
MAYA CARTER
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MAYA HOSPITALITY GROUP
Nobody spoke.
Brittany picked up the card.
Her lips parted.
“But…”
Maya waited.
Brittany looked at her.
Then at the card.
“But you…”
She stopped herself.