CHAPTER 7: Ava Carter Stands

Ava stepped fully upright now.
Her cheek still hurt. Her knees still remembered the marble. But her voice had not broken, and Benjamin hated that most of all.
He looked around the lobby as if searching for someone still on his side.
He found only guests pretending not to stare and staff who no longer felt invisible.
A young concierge, the same one Benjamin had humiliated earlier, stood behind the desk with both hands folded. His face was controlled, but his eyes had changed.
Ava noticed.
That mattered more than Benjamin did.
She turned to Marcus. “Make sure every staff member who dealt with him today gives a statement. No one is punished for telling the truth.”
Marcus gave a small nod.
“Already arranged.”
Benjamin’s expression sharpened with panic.
“You’re going to ruin me over one mistake?”
Ava faced him again.
“No. I’m going to believe the people you thought no one would listen to.”