It came from the far end of the room—from the investors’ table.
A man in a gray suit stood. White hair. Piercing eyes. Authority that needed no volume.
Laurent Duval.
Founder of Duval Hospitality Group. Owner of Le Ciel.
Gozon went pale.
“S-Sir Laurent… I didn’t know you were here—”
“I saw everything,” Laurent said coolly as he stepped forward. Each footfall echoed like judgment. “And I wish I hadn’t.”
The restaurant fell silent.
Mia stood shaking—but no longer crying.
“Mr. Gozon,” Laurent continued, “explain why you chose to humiliate an employee in front of guests.”