Arthur Vance turned his attention to my daughter, his expression shifting to a polite but detached professionalism.
“Of course I do. Everyone on the management team knows Miss Griffin.”
He glanced back at the desk clerk.
“Sarah, please pull up the owner’s executive access codes for Miss Griffin.”
Sarah’s eyes widened in realization. She typed rapidly, the screen reflecting in her glasses.
“Oh, my apologies, Miss Griffin. I have it right here.”
“Owner’s access?” Derek echoed, his voice losing its usual arrogant edge. “What does that mean? There’s obviously a glitch in your system. My mother-in-law lives in a basic three-bedroom house and clips grocery coupons.”
Arthur stood perfectly straight, his tone unwavering.
“There is no mistake, sir. Ms. Griffin is the primary investor and majority owner of Pinerest Lodge. Your entire reservation requires her direct approval.”
Silence fell over our small section of the lobby.
Chloe looked as though she had been physically struck. She stared at me, then at Arthur, then back to me, trying to process the information.
“Owner,” she whispered, the word barely making it out of her throat. “Mom, what is he talking about?”
“I bought this land 4 years ago,” I explained simply, my voice completely steady. “After your father passed, I wanted a quiet project. I partnered with a hospitality group to build this resort. It opened last year.”
Derek swallowed hard, his face turning a blotchy shade of red.
The reality of the situation was just beginning to sink in.
“You own this resort?”
Chloe finally snapped, her shock quickly morphing into defensive anger.
“And you never thought to mention this to me, to your own daughter?”
I looked her right in the eyes, unblinking.