Chapter 4 - THE BILLIONAIRE’S SURPRISEArthur Vance wasn't alone. Behind him stood two senior corporate attorneys and the regional director of Vance Holdings.
Marcus stammered, pulling down his collar. "Mr... Mr. Vance! I didn't realize you owned—well, I was just having a casual conversation with an old acquaintance—"
Arthur ignored Marcus completely. He walked right past him, his silver hair catching the golden light of the Christmas tree, and stopped directly in front of Theo.
To Marcus’s absolute horror, the billionaire extended his hand with deep, deferential respect.
"Merry Christmas, Theodore," Arthur said warmly. "I told your father I’d check in on his boy tonight."
Theo shook the billionaire’s hand firmly. "Good to see you, Arthur. Though I told you, you didn't need to come down here in a snowstorm just for a walkthrough."
"Nonsense," Arthur laughed, before turning his gaze to Elena, who stood frozen in utter astonishment. "And who is this lovely young lady gracing our bistro tonight?"
"I'm Elena," she said softly, blinking in disbelief.
Arthur smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Arthur Vance. And let me guess—this is the woman who finally put a real smile on my favorite nephew's face after three years of lonely nights?"
The room seemed to spin on its axis.
Elena whipped her head around to stare at Theo. "Nephew? You're Arthur Vance's nephew? But you said you were a janitor!"
Theo rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking intensely sheepish. "I am the night manager and maintenance supervisor. My uncle wanted me to learn the hospitality business from the ground up when I took over our regional holdings last year. I just... didn't think it was important to mention on a five-minute introduction."
Marcus Hayes looked like he was about to faint. His jaw hung open, his knees visibly shaking as the horrifying reality of what he had just thrown away crashed down upon him.
"You... you own Snowlight Bistro?" Marcus squeaked, pointing a trembling finger at Theo.
Arthur Vance turned slowly, fixing Marcus with a cold, corporate stare that could freeze steel. "My nephew owns this building, Mr. Hayes. And as for you... your firm’s commercial lease contract with Vance Holdings expires on January first. Consider it non-renewed."
Marcus gasped, stepping forward in panic. "Mr. Vance, please! That contract is worth millions to my company! You can't—"
May you like
"I just did," Arthur said smoothly. "Now get out of my nephew's restaurant before I have security throw you out into the snow."
Humiliated, ruined, and shaking with rage, Marcus turned and bolted out the door without another word.
