Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN THEY TRIED TO SILENCE
The pressure on Hannah began two days later.
Miriam Doyle called her into the restaurant office.
Hannah entered carrying her apron.
“Everything okay?”
Miriam looked irritated.
“No.”
Hannah sat down.
Her manager placed a letter on the desk.
It was from an attorney representing a company associated with Victor Raines.
The letter claimed Hannah had made defamatory statements about Dominic Vale and his financial affairs.
It also suggested that Bellissimo should reconsider employing someone involved in a business dispute with prominent clients.
Hannah stared.
“Are they threatening the restaurant?”
Miriam folded her arms.
“They're trying to.”
Hannah looked down.
“I'm sorry.”
Miriam raised a hand.
“Don't.”
“But—”
“Hannah, you took a customer's order in sign language. Then you had conversations outside work.”
She leaned forward.
“That isn't misconduct.”
Hannah swallowed.
“The restaurant could lose business.”
“Yes.”
“That's not fair to you.”
Miriam sighed.
“Neither is letting somebody use their wealth to decide which employees deserve jobs.”
Hannah's eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
Her manager studied her.
“Have you spoken to a lawyer?”
“Not about this letter.”
“Then you should.”
Hannah nodded.
“I will.”
Miriam continued.
“And Hannah?”
“Yes?”
“I'd prefer you not to discuss the legal dispute with customers while you're working. But I'm not going to fire you because somebody dislikes that you have opinions after your shift.”
Hannah smiled through tears.
“Fair.”
That afternoon, Caleb learned about the letter.
His expression hardened.
He immediately began typing a message.
Hannah watched.
Then shook her head.
“No.”
He looked up.
She signed:
“Don't offer to buy the restaurant.”
Caleb blinked.
Then laughed silently.
“I wasn't going to.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow.
He hesitated.
“Not exactly.”
She folded her arms.
“Caleb.”
He smiled sheepishly.
Then signed:
“I was thinking about calling my lawyer.”
“That part is fine.”
“And possibly offering to cover lost wages.”
Hannah shook her head.
“I don't want to become your responsibility.”
His smile faded.
He signed:
“I wasn't trying to make you dependent.”
“I know.”
She took a breath.
“But I need to handle my own choices.”
Caleb nodded.
“Okay.”
Hannah's expression softened.
“You can help by giving your lawyer the relevant facts if she needs them.”
He nodded again.
“Of course.”
For several seconds, they stood quietly.
Then Caleb signed:
“You're very difficult to impress.”
Hannah laughed.
“That's because I'm not looking for someone to impress me.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“What are you looking for?”
She considered.
“Someone who listens.”
Caleb looked toward her.
Then smiled.
“Interesting.”
Hannah laughed.
“Don't.”
He signed:
“I was going to say I have an advantage.”
She shook her head, smiling.
“No, Caleb. Listening isn't about whether somebody can hear.”
His expression softened.
He nodded.
“I know.”
Then he reached for her hand.
He stopped before touching it.
Hannah noticed.
She looked at him.
And slowly took his hand herself.
For a moment, the busy Chicago street seemed to disappear.
They were simply two people standing beside a coffee shop.
Not a wealthy heir and a waitress.
Not a man with a famous surname and a woman challenging his family.
Just Hannah and Caleb.
Then he signed with his free hand:
“Would you go to dinner with me?”
She smiled.
“Dinner?”
“Yes.”
“At Bellissimo?”
He made a face.
Hannah burst into laughter.
“Definitely not.”
Caleb grinned.
“Somewhere quiet.”
She pretended to consider.
“Does the restaurant have good dessert?”
He nodded seriously.
“Excellent dessert.”
May you like
Hannah smiled.
“Then yes.”
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