Margaret did not raise her voice.
That made everyone listen harder.
“I came here because sales have been falling since this management structure took over.”
Derek tried to speak.
Margaret lifted one hand.
“Reviews have been getting worse.”
She looked toward Chloe.
“Guests have complained that staff judge them by clothing, booking rate, age, appearance, and what employees imagine they can afford.”
Chloe stared at the desk.
Margaret continued.
“Daniel suggested an inspection.”
She looked toward him.
“I told him inspections lie.”
Daniel nodded.
“So I came myself.”
Derek's face had become pale.
“You should have told us.”
Margaret looked at him.
“Why?”
“So we could…”
He stopped.
She waited.
“So you could what?”
Derek swallowed.
“Prepare.”
Margaret's expression hardened.
“That is the problem.”
Nobody moved.
“If I had arrived in a chauffeured car wearing diamonds and introduced myself as the owner, what would you have done?”
Derek said nothing.
“You would have opened the door.”
Still nothing.
“You would have found a room.”
Margaret gestured toward reception.
“Chloe would have smiled.”
Chloe began crying quietly.
“You would not have invented an eight-thousand-dollar rate.”
Derek looked down.
“You would not have asked where someone like me got the money.”