"If I'd called her out, word would've gotten around that we bully new hires. Imagine how that would've looked."
He stepped forward and grabbed my hand, his voice dropping to something softer. "I really didn't mean anything by it. I just didn't want to ruin the mood for everyone. I'll make sure she's properly disciplined from now on. Nothing like this will ever happen again."
I looked into his eyes and saw the panic swimming there.
I pulled my hand free and turned to the assistant who'd been standing by the whole time.
"Remove the slop bucket," I said evenly. "Clear the rest of the banquet as well. Cancel everything that comes after."
The assistant nodded. Within seconds, the banquet hall filled with the sound of dishes being collected and chairs scraping against the floor.
Bruno's face went a shade paler. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
"Bruno Henson. I suggest you take care of yourself."
He froze mid-motion. His lips parted, then closed. In the end, he didn't dare argue. He just nodded.
I didn't look at him again. I stood and walked straight out of the banquet hall.
On the drive home, the car was suffocated by silence.