Chapter 83
Walton lit up the moment Elise walked in, like he’d just spotted his lifeboat. “Elise, your daughter’s going way overboard lately p>
Elise’s brows pulled together. “What happened now p>
“She came into the company and just replaced a bunch of the old guard. People are on edge. Nobody knows who she’ll go after next p>
Elise pressed her lips together, her voice low. “Call her and tell her to get here right now p>
Walton looked almost relieved. He could tell Elise was about to step in and handle Dorothea. Trying to play the peacemaker, he added, “Don’t be too hard on her, Elise. She’s still young p>
Elise let out a slow breath. “Then why didn’t you stop her from causing a scene p>
Walton had no comeback. He just picked up his phone and dialed Dorothea, asking her to come immediately.
When Dorothea opened the door to the private room, she paused for a second. “Is there something you need p>
Her tone was polite, but there was a wall there, something chilly. Elise couldn’t tell if it was aimed at her or Walton, but she felt like Dorothea was mocking her.
Elise’s expression turned stern. “Dorothea, I didn’t hand you the company so you could treat it like a game. Firing people left and right—what are you doing p>
Dorothea shot Elise a bored glance. “And who exactly are you to be lecturing me?” Elise’s face flushed. “I’m your mother. Can’t I say anything to you p>
Dorothea’s smile was barely there. “So Walton didn’t tell you why I let those people go p>
“The head of security let the media storm into our hotel rooms and ambush our guests. Should I have just ignored that p>
“The head of procurement was caught taking kickbacks and passing off cheap goods as quality. Should he have stayed p>
“And most recently, Fidelia in sales.” Dorothea’s lips curled. “She was flirting with a client, got his wife to come here and make a huge scene, and trashed our reputation. Still, we offered her a proper severance package. Isn’t that enough?
“If The Gresham is run top to bottom by favors and connections, that’s what will ruin us, not me p>
She fixed her eyes on Elise. “So tell me, who’s really treating this place like a game p>
Being called out like that in front of Walton made Elise’s face burn. Her anger boiled over and she slapped Dorothea hard across the cheek.
Both Walton and Dorothea just stared, stunned.
Walton hadn’t expected Elise to lose control like that.
Dorothea’s ears buzzed. Her cheek throbbed, the pain deepening with every second, but she just brushed her hair back and gave a soft, almost amused smile.
Walton swallowed, shocked that Dorothea could still smile.
Dorothea looked straight at Elise, her eyes cold and steady. “So you run out of arguments and just hit me?
I’m the majority shareholder noget
What do with this company is my call, Besides this was my dad’s legacy. All those years, you were just keeping his seat warm for me. Did you really think you owned it p>
Dorothea turned away from Elise and looked at Walton. “Walton, if you’ve got a
problem, talk to me. Stop using her to try and get to me. It won’t work p>
She shot Elise one last, icy look, then pulled out her phone and called security right in front of them. “Can you send someone to Walton’s
office? There’s a guest causing trouble. Please take care of it p>
Elise, who’d started to feel a bit guilty, snapped. “Dorothea, do you even see me as your mother anymore? You’re actually trying to kick me out p>
Dorothea didn’t even flinch. “The day I blocked your number, you stopped being my mom p>