It was the most honest thing he said all night.

It was also the thing that made his dismissal certain.

Chapter 17 — The Only Person

“Arthur,” Clara said quietly, stopping the general manager before his tirade could build any further.

“I am not interested in excuses.

And I am not interested in a lecture, however deserved.

I am interested in two things.”

She pointed toward the service hallway, where Lupita stood beside her cleaning cart, watching the scene unfold in stunned silence, clearly uncertain whether she was about to be praised or blamed for having involved herself.