“Mr. Mercer,” he said, “we brought everything you requested.”

The restaurant fell silent.

Vanessa’s lips parted.

“Mr… Mercer?”

Daniel turned toward her.

“My full name is Daniel Mercer.”

Maria covered her mouth.

Vanessa whispered, “The owner?”

Daniel’s voice remained quiet.

“Now we understand each other.”

Security arrived thirty seconds later.

Two guards entered the restaurant and looked toward Vanessa.

“Ma’am, you requested assistance?”

Vanessa weakly pointed at Daniel, but couldn’t speak.

Daniel answered for her.

“The situation has changed.”

Rachel Lin opened the leather folder.

“Ms. Cole, corporate received fourteen documented complaints over the past nine weeks. Tonight was a scheduled undercover service review authorized by ownership.”

Vanessa stared at Daniel.

“You set me up.”

“No,” Daniel said. “I ordered dinner with my daughter. Everything after that was your choice.”

Vanessa swallowed.

Paul laid several printed reports on the table.

Customer complaints.

Employee statements.

Refund irregularities.

Modified reservation records.

Daniel had expected bad judgment.

He hadn’t expected fraud.

Rachel continued.

“Our financial review also found that complimentary meals were repeatedly recorded for nonexistent customer complaints. Camera records show many of those meals were served to your personal guests.”

Vanessa’s eyes widened.