A small crowd of wealthy diners gathered around the base of the staircase.
The atmosphere in the restaurant became thick with tension and sudden curiosity.
Mark leaned over the wooden railing with an arrogant smirk on his face.
Mark: Just leave peacefully before I call the police on you for harassment.
Clara: I lied to you, Mark.
Mark paused and narrowed his eyes down at her in complete confusion.
Mark: What on earth are you talking about, Clara?
Clara: I am the major shareholder of your company, and I own this restaurant.
The entire dining room went instantly quiet as her voice carried across the room.
Mark froze in place as his jaw dropped open in pure shock and disbelief.
Chloe's mouth opened wide in horror as she looked between Mark and Clara.
Chloe: Mark, tell me she is lying right now, this has to be a joke!
Mark stared down at Clara as a sudden wave of panic washed over his face.
Mark: That is impossible, you drive a broken down car and work in entry level sales!
Clara: I chose to live simply because I value honesty over cheap luxury items.
Mr. Higgins stepped out from the private office holding a thick leather binder.
He walked directly past Mark and bowed respectfully before handing the folder to Clara.
Mr. Higgins: Here is the deed and corporate registry you requested, Owner Miller.
The surrounding crowd gasped loudly as they saw the official gold seal on the folder.
Mark stumbled back against the wooden handrail as his knees felt suddenly weak.
Mark: Owner Miller? You actually own this entire building?
Clara: I own this building, and I own seventy percent of Sterling Enterprises stock.
Chloe stepped back from Mark as if he had suddenly become radioactive to her.
Chloe: You told me you were partnering with the primary owner of your firm!
Mark: I thought the owner was an old retired billionaire living in Europe!
Clara: My grandfather was that billionaire, and he passed his holdings down to me.
Mark's face turned completely white as the truth crashed down upon his world.
He realized that every promotion he had received was personally approved by Clara.
He realized that his entire career depended entirely on the woman he just humiliated.
Mark: Clara, please, I was just stressed out about work tonight!
Clara: Do not try to make excuses now after showing your true character, Mark.
Chloe: Is this true, Mark? Are you actually working for your ex-girlfriend?
Mark: Shut up for a second, Chloe, let me talk to Clara alone!
Mark rushed down the marble stairs as fast as his feet could carry him.
He reached out his hands toward Clara with a desperate and pleading look.
Mark: Clara, I made a huge mistake, I did not mean those terrible words!
Clara held up her right hand firmly, stopping him dead in his tracks.
Clara: Do not take another step toward me, Mark.
Mark stopped instantly as two large uniformed security guards stepped up beside Clara.
Mark: Clara, we have three years of history together, you cannot do this to me!
Clara: You destroyed three years of trust in less than three short minutes tonight.
Chloe hurried down the stairs and looked at Mark with deep disappointment.
Chloe: You lied to me about your status and your entire financial standing!
Mark: Chloe, please, I am still the top sales manager at the firm!
Clara: You were the top sales manager until five minutes ago, Mark.
Mark looked at Clara in absolute horror as her words sank into his mind.