Chapter 2 - THE MORNING OF BETRAYALThe glow of the diner still lingered in Jennifer’s mind as she clocked in at 5:00 AM at the Carter Grand. She felt a glimmer of hope—a feeling she hadn't known in five years. But the atmosphere at the hotel was cold. Managers were pacing with clipboards, and there was a frantic, hushed energy in the breakroom.
"Didn't you hear?" a coworker whispered, clutching a trash bag. "The restructuring plan is being finalized this morning. They’re cutting the whole cleaning crew. We’re out."
Jennifer felt the floor fall away. Her heart pounded as she thought of Matthew. He’s a good man, she told herself. He listened to Alice. He wouldn't let this happen. She didn't know that three floors up, the man who had folded paper airplanes for her daughter was sitting in a leather chair, holding the document that would end her livelihood.
