Chapter 56 · She Takes the Chair

"Say that again." Jae Min's voice cut across the boardroom before Corazon even sat down. "Slower this time. I want to hear you get it wrong twice."

"You heard me the first time." Corazon Tan-Velasco slid a folder across the polished table, and it stopped an inch from his knuckles. "Effective this morning, Lila Santos is Head of Operations. You'll copy her on every vendor contract before it's signed."

Bianca's fork clattered against her water glass. "She changes sheets. She doesn't change budgets."

"She holds forty percent of this hotel through her mother's name," Corazon said, not even looking at her. "That buys a chair. Sit down, Bianca."

Lila stood by the door with the black ledger still pressed flat against her ribs, like if she let go of it the whole room would remember she wasn't supposed to be standing this close to the table. Her hands were shaking. She kept them behind her back so nobody would see.

Jae didn't sit either. He came around the table instead, slow, like he was giving her time to run.