Julian stared at the leather folder Leo had just slammed down. It wasn’t a menu. It was the finalized Deed of Sale for the entire “Le Chateau” restaurant group.
“You… what is this?” Julian stammered, his face turning pale.
“I went ‘undercover’ this week to evaluate the management before the acquisition went public,” Leo explained, unbuttoning his wine-stained waiter’s vest and tossing it onto the floor. “I wanted to see how you treat your team when you think nobody important is watching.”
The customers, realizing what was happening, began to whisper excitedly. Julian started trembling. “Sir, I… I was just disciplining a subordinate. It’s standard protocol!”
“Pouring wine on an employee is not protocol. It’s assault,” Leo said coldly. He turned to the head chef who was watching from the kitchen window. “Chef, the kitchen is doing great work. But the front of house needs new leadership immediately.”
Leo looked back at Julian and pointed to the door—the exact same gesture Julian had used on him moments ago.
“You’re fired, Julian. Get out of my restaurant.”
As security escorted the former manager out, the entire dining room erupted in applause.
