Dollar bills flew across the white tablecloth as the woman in red looked at the young waitress and said, “Pick it up. That's all you're worth.” Seconds later, the restaurant manager would fire the waitress and put his hand on her after she refused to accept the humiliation. But the calm woman standing beside that table clearly knew something about Victoria that neither Victoria nor the manager understood yet.

Maya turned her attention away from Victoria and faced Richard, the general manager.

Richard was sweating so profusely his collar was soaked through. He couldn't even stand up straight; his body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Ms... Ms. Vanderbilt," Richard choked out, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "I... I was just protecting the restaurant's reputation! I didn't know who she was! I didn't know who you were!"

"That is precisely the problem, Richard," Maya said calmly. "You treat people with respect only when you think they hold power over you. When you thought I was just an hourly worker, you forced me to apologize for being insulted, you fired me without investigation, and then you laid your hands on me."

"Please! I have a family! I have a mortgage!" Richard begged, reaching out his hands in supplication—though taking great care not to touch her.

"You were right about one thing tonight, Richard," Maya said, her eyes flashing with absolute authority. "Someone is fired tonight. But it isn't me."

Maya pulled up another screen on her phone and dialed a three-digit extension. She put it on speakerphone.

"Corporate Security, this is Director Vance," a sharp voice answered through the speaker.

"Director, this is Maya Vanderbilt. I am currently at Le Miroir on Fifth Avenue. I am terminating General Manager Richard Sterling immediately for physical assault on staff and gross negligence. Have security escort him off the property within five minutes, and transfer his duties to Assistant Manager Sarah."