Vivienne Graves sauntered in with a mocking smile, a handful of socialites trailing behind her.
The moment she spotted Howard gripping my chin, she pouted and hurried over to loop her arm through his.
"Howard, why are you touching that filthy thing? She was just scrubbing the toilet. I bet she didn't even wash her hands."
Howard released me. He took the handkerchief Vivienne offered and wiped each finger, one by one, the fingers that had just touched me.
Then he tossed the handkerchief in my face.
"Just teaching her some manners."
His voice was flat, indifferent.
Vivienne doubled over laughing. She nudged my knee with the toe of her shoe.
"You know, sis, you really brought this on yourself. Didn't have the blood of an heiress but played the part anyway. And now look at you, polishing shoes for real royalty like us."
She lifted her foot and waggled her stiletto in front of my face.
"I stepped in gum. Disgusting."
"Since you're the professional here, sis, why don't you clean it off for me?"
A ripple of laughter passed through the socialites.
Howard stood to the side, one hand in his pocket, watching with cold detachment.
"What's the matter? Don't want to?"
Vivienne's smile vanished. She snatched the glass of water from the table and flicked her wrist.
Water streamed down my hair and into the collar of my uniform.
"Stella Graves, do you still think you're some high-and-mighty princess?"
"This is a Graves hotel. I'm your boss. Try me, and I'll have someone strip you naked and throw you out on the street."
I closed my eyes and drew a long breath.
For thirty-five hundred dollars a month. For survival. What was dignity worth?
I lowered my head, picked up the rag, and leaned toward Vivienne's shoe.
"Not with the rag."
Vivienne's smile was venomous.
"I want you to use your fingers. Pick it off, piece by piece."
The jeering around us swelled louder.
I reached out. My hand was an inch from the shoe when a polished leather oxford swung in from nowhere and kicked my bucket across the floor.
Dirty water erupted in every direction, spattering Vivienne from hem to collar.
"Aah!"
She shrieked and stumbled backward.
"Howard! What the hell!"
Howard looked down at me, his expression utterly blank.
"Clumsy and slow. Watching you work kills my appetite."
He turned to Vivienne, something unreadable shifting behind his eyes.
"Tonight's engagement banquet is short a server for the wine. Send her."