Page 34 of The Princess and the Fraud

“Well, let’s dive into the purpose of this meeting. Nothing major,” he assured. “But things that still need to be addressed.”

I took a drink of my mocha, the bitter taste of the coffee mixed with the sweet chocolate coating my tongue. I had a feeling I was going to need the caffeine fix.

“The Spring Has Sprung fundraiser is happening on the twenty-ninth,” Mr. Roberts said. “Not next Saturday, but the one after. Put it in your calendars. It’s the first fundraiser after the Rhythms of Hope acquisition, so we need to be on ourverybest behavior at the party, and every day leading up to it. The higher ups will be around to make sure the setup is going smoothly, so we need to ensure itissmooth.”

Paige looked over at me, eyebrows raised. “Told you,” I mouthed.

“That means, let’s try to curb call-offs, late starts, and anything like that.” Mr. Roberts looked around the room, eliciting some nods. “Let’s be a team, and we’ll get through this together.”

He had a nervous edge to his voice, even just talking about the event. Sure, it might’ve had a bit more pressure than other fundraisers in the past, with the new owners, but things went by smoothly each time. You’d think he’d be confident by now, knowing we all had it down pat.

“The fundraiser proceeds are going to Rhythms of Hope’s charity,” he continued. “And to prepare for it, we will be readying the… Du Ponte Music Hall.”

I shifted forward until my chest hit the edge of the table. “It’s being held in the music hall?” I asked, the question slipping out before I caught it.

Mr. Roberts nodded. “The mingling and dinner service will be held in the ballroom, as usual, before shifting to the music hall for the remainder of the evening. Rhythms of Hope is bringing in their orchestra to give Alderton-Du Ponte their warmest performance in thanks.”

That didn’t make any sense. Why would the board of directors push so hard to not let even Aaron and the charity see the music hall only to change their minds? Did the charity force their hand? Granted, Rhythms of Hopedidhave the final say. If they wanted a fundraiser to be held in the music hall, then so it would be. But still. For how unwavering the board had been on Saturday, it seemed like an easy win on the charity’s part.

I wondered if Aaron knew.They’re still playing hard to get. The board had changed their mind that much two days?

“These next two weeks are going to consist of cleaning and readying the facility, which means we’ll have to stretch a bit when it comes to where we’re stationed for the day. I’ll try to keep you to your regular positions as much as possible, but if we can try to be lenient for the next few weeks and help out where we’re needed, that’ll make everything go by much smoother.”

I glanced at Paige again, reading her gaze and agreeing.He’s warning us this will be hell.

“One more thing before I let you go to your assignments.” Mr. Roberts’s head was growing shiny, and this time, when he looked around the room, his attention landed on me. “Alderton-Du Ponte and Massey Hotel & Suites are beginning to enforce their policies on a stricter level. From now on, only members of the club may use club amenities, and that includes the restaurants and cafes. If you are not clocked in, you are not to be on the grounds of the estate for any reason. No exceptions.”

No one spoke. Paige side-eyed me, but I didn’t look away from Mr. Roberts. I knew what everyone in the boardroom was thinking. No one hung around here on their day off—no one but Lovisa Hahn. Mr. Roberts couldn’t have been more obvious in the call out if he’d tried. Someonehadtold him about brunch on Tuesday, but I wasn’t surprised.

I did, however, no longer feel bad about going against his advice.

The meeting adjourned, with the staff members moving off to their posts with five minutes til the top of the hour. I half expected Mr. Roberts to call me back to talk in private, but he didn’t. Which was a good thing, because I wassonot in the right mood to talk to my boss.

Paige bumped my shoulder as we walked down the hallway. “Are you working Mrs. Holland’s party on Saturday?”

I nodded, gripping my to-go cup tighter. “It’s going to be another full day. Mrs. Holland wants it to be outdoors, which means another long morning of twisting linen and twinkle lights around bushes in the cold.”

I couldn’t believe it’d been only less than a week since the emergency meeting—less than a week when I discovered Aaron crouched in the rosebush. The image made me smirk a little now, knowing how refined and superior Aaron tried to present himself as. I hadn’t asked what had him scrambling into the foliage like a scared little kid, but that was definitely something I’d bring up now. I already looked forward to seeing how I could tease him about it.

The smirk slid off my face.No. I was notlooking forwardto seeing Aaron Astor. If anything, I was looking forward to antagonizing him, not seeing him in general. That was all.

“Does she know it’s supposed to rain?” Paige asked.

“What?”

“Mrs. Holland. Does she know it’s supposed to rain on Saturday?”

I snorted a little. “I doubt it.”

We came out of the employee wing and into the lobby of Alderton-Du Ponte, where Paige and I had to part ways. She sighed. “Wanna trade me?”

“You don’t even know what station I’m at today.”

“Anything’s better thanlaundry.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Even lifeguarding the indoor pool?”

The begging expression dropped. “Never mind. Pass.”

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