Chapter 2 — A Different Woman Was Staying in Sophia’s Cottage
Adrian finally opened the reservation record.
Magnolia Cottage was occupied.
But not by Sophia.
The current guest was:
NORA BELL.
Arrival:
That afternoon.
Departure:
Monday morning.
The exact dates Sophia had booked.
Richard looked at the payment field.
Then went silent.
Sophia leaned closer.
“What?”
Richard turned the monitor toward her.
Nora Bell’s reservation showed:
PAYMENT RECEIVED — $5,000.
Transaction number:
The exact number printed on Sophia’s receipt.
Sophia stared at the screen.
“That’s my money.”
Richard nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why is it paying for someone named Nora Bell?”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Richard looked at him.
“Explain.”
Adrian whispered:
“I transferred the reservation.”
Sophia stared at him.
“You what?”
“I can fix it.”
“You took a reservation I paid for and gave it to somebody else?”
“It’s not exactly—”
“Stop saying that.”
Richard remained calmer.
“Why did you transfer it?”
Adrian looked toward the lobby.
“It’s complicated.”
“Then simplify it.”
Adrian finally answered.
“Nora Bell is my grandmother.”
Sophia blinked.
“Your grandmother is staying in my cottage?”
Adrian nodded.
Richard looked stunned.
“You used a paying guest’s reservation for a family member?”
“I wasn’t keeping the money.”
“That is not the issue.”
Adrian’s voice became desperate.
“I was going to move Ms. Bennett to another suite.”
Sophia laughed in disbelief.
“When?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
Richard checked occupancy.
Every premium suite was full.
So were the cottages.
The resort was hosting a wedding and a corporate retreat.
There was nowhere comparable to move Sophia.
Richard looked at Adrian.
“You knew we were sold out.”
Adrian said nothing.
Sophia suddenly understood.
“You expected me to arrive without enough proof.”
Adrian looked at her.
“No.”
“You removed my reservation from the system.”
“I changed the guest record.”
“And when I showed up, you told me you knew nothing about my receipt.”
Adrian couldn’t deny it.
Richard looked toward security.
“Adrian, step away from the desk.”
Then Sophia asked:
“Why Magnolia Cottage?”
Adrian’s face changed.
“Because my grandmother lived there once.”