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Chapter 10 Chapter 10 $ 87 % 面 Doris led Peyton to a cozy little coffee shop near the hotel .
Doris ordered two coffees , and they sat across from each other , a sense of unspoken tension lingering in the air .
Peyton reached across the table and clasped Doriss hand , her touch warm but tentative .
Doris , how have you been these past few days ? she asked , her voice gentle , almost hesitant .
Doriss chest tightened at the question .
Her eyes stung with an ache she wasnt ready to confront .
She gripped her coffee cup tightly , the warmth seeping into her fingers as if to ground her .
Im fine , Mom , she replied , her voice steady but her emotions teetering dangerously close to the edge .
Forcing a smile , she added .
The coffee here is pretty good .
You should try it .
Peyton took a sip , nodding faintly .
It is good , she murmured , a fleeting smile tugging at her lips before fading into silence .
The lines of hesitation etched deeper into her face , betraying the fact that she had more on her mind .
Doris finally broke the quiet .
Mom , did you come to see me about something ? Peyton glanced up , her expression shifting to one of quiet determination .
She decided to cut to the chase .
Doris , Claudias parents are coming from back home to discuss Rupert and Claudias wedding arrangements with us .
Ruperts the youngest , and we want to do this properly , make it a little more special .
Since you work at Hampstone Hotel .
I figured theres probably an employee discount .
Could we book the event there ? What do you think ? Doriss smile froze , and she scoffed internally , Of course .
In their eyes , Rupert is always the precious baby , the only one worth their love and attention .
Theyd move heaven and earth for him , but for me , its just this a middle child whose existence barely registers .
She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat and forced herself to respond evenly .
The employee discount is just 10 % off .
If its only a few people , a medium table should be enough .

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Peyton shook her head .
A medium table wont do .
Claudias grandparents , both sets of them , along with her uncles and aunts , are all coming too .
They havent been to Hampstone before , and theyd like to visit while theyre here .
Plus , theyre arriving a day early and will need to stay overnight at the hotel .
Doris stared at her mother in disbelief .
Mom , theyre coming to discuss a wedding , not attend one .
Why do they need to bring the entire extended family ? She couldnt wrap her head around the logic .
Every one of these additional guests would mean more expenses for her parents expenses they could ill afford .
Doris thought of all the times her mother scrimped and saved , only to pour everything she had into Ruperts life .
Peyton sighed , a note of weariness in her voice , They want to come .
If we dont let them , they will say were being stingy .
A flicker of anger sparked in Doriss chest .
So let them say that .
Mom , youve already bought Rupert and Claudia a place .
Then her family asked for 100 thousand dollars as the wedding gift and you also went along with it .
That $ 100,000 was something Jimmy had told Doriss big sister , Laura , to prepare .
Jimmy , always doting on his youngest child , only knew how to exploit Doris and Laura .
Doris clenched her hands into fists .
Mom , all those relatives coming along just to add to the celebration do you know how much thats going to cost ? The money youve worked so hard for , your savings from decades of sacrifice … Its not something you can just throw away .
Her voice softened as she tried to appeal to reason .
I understand you want to be a good mother in law , and I have no issue 1/4 04 Wed , 26 Chapter 10 with you treating Claudia well .
But all these extras , these demands from her family .
Its too much ? Doris was at a loss for words , though the frustration simmering within her was hard to suppress .
Deciding not to press the issue further , she shifted the conversation Moin , our hotel is the most luxurious in Hampstone , Even a medium sized table costs at least 3 grand , and a single nights stay starts at over 700 dollars .
Add a fancy dinner with fine wine , and the total easily climbs to tens of thousands of dollar Its just not worth it .
Wouldnt it be more practical to choose a three star or four star hotel with a better price to quality ratio ? You could save that money for the actual weiding , where it would really matter .
Spending wisely is what counts She softened her tone , trying to reason with her mother , I remember theres a three star hotel near Ruperts new place the Azure Hotel .
The food and accommodations there are decent , and I know someone who could get us a good discount .
After the meal , they could even visit Ruperts new home .
Doesnt that sound perfect ? Peyton considered Doriss suggestion , nodding slowly .
That does make sense .
Could you go with me , though ? Im afraid I might mess it up if I go alone .
Ill check with my friend to see if there are rooms and a dining hall available on that day , Doris replied calmly .
Once I confirm , Ill take you there .
If it works , great well book it .
If not , we can look elsewhere .
Alright .
Peyton pressed her lips together in a faint smile before adding , Your dad also called Laura and asked her to bring her husband and in laws to the dinner .
Doris , as part of our family , as Ruperts sister, you should attend too .
Take a day off and help us host the guests .
I know you might feel resentful , but discussing Ruperts wedding is a big deal .
Families should present a united front .
Dont let people laugh at us .
Will you listen to me on this ? Alright , Doris sighed , knowing her mother had her reasons , even if they weighed heavily on her .
Peytons expression brightened at Doriss agreement .
Dont blame your father , Doris .
Hes got a quick temper , but everything he does is for your own good .
He just wants you to settle down and be happy .
I feel the same way Doris lowered her long lashes , hiding the wounded look in her eyes .
Mom , you and Dad always say its for my own good , but have you ever stopped to ask if this version of good is what I truly want ? If its not what I want , then its not really good for me .
Please , dont worry about me anymore .
I just want to focus on earning as much as I can while Im still young .
Peytons brows knit together in concern .
Doris- But Doris didnt want to continue the endless , fruitless argument .
Cutting her mother off gently , she said , Mom , do you have anything else to talk about ? If not , I need to get back to work .
Once Ive sorted out the hotel .
Ill let you know , Alright , Peyton said with a resigned sigh as she stood up , I should get home to cook dinner for your dad .
Ill get you a rideshare .
Doris pulled out her phone without waiting for a response .
No need , Doris .
111 just take the subway .
Dont waste your money on me , Peyton said quickly , waving her hands to decline .
I already called a rideshare , Doris said firmly , her tone leaving no room for argument .
Despite everything , she couldnt bear the thought of her mother enduring the discomfort of public transportation .
Doris walked Peyton to the curb just as the rideshare car arrived , the faint hum of its engine filling the quiet street .
She carefully closed the door after her mother got in , leaning down to give her one last reminder.
Mom , text me when you get home safe .
13:04 Wed , 26 Feb EEE Chapter 10 Peyton looked at her daughter , her expression soft yet burdened with unspoken worries .
Doris , dont blame me for not being able to do more .
Once your dad calms down .
Ill try to convince him to let you come home .
While youre out here on your own , dont skimp on food or rest .
Take care of yourself As the car began to move , Peyton reached out from the window , grasping Doriss hand firmly .
She pressed a small object into her palm Startled .
Doris glanced down and found a neatly folded envelope .
When she opened it , a few crisp hundred dollar bills peeked out a modest sum , but one that carried all the love Peyton could muster .
As she stared at the money , Doriss throat tightened as a wave of emotion surged through her chest .
The gesture was simple yet unbearably bittersweet .
Mom … Doriss voice broke as tears blurred her vision .
She began to run after the car , her instincts propelling her forward .
But the vehicle didnt stop , its taillights fading further into the distance .
Stopping in her tracks , Doris wiped at her eyes with trembling hands , blinking away the tears that threatened to spill over She clenched the envelope tightly , as if holding onto the fragile connection between her and her mother .
Feeling hollow yet overwhelmed , she turned and made her way back to the hotel , her steps heavy with lingering sorrow .
Once inside , Doris forced herself to collect her emotions .
Work was her only refuge , a space where she could bury the ache for a little while .
The calm was short lived .
Kayla Barker , a colleague from the same department , rushed over , her face pale and her eyes rimmed red .
Doris , Im so sorry to bother you , but my moms fallen ill .
I need to go home right now , Can you cover my night shift ? I swear Ill take over for you пех ! time need help .
you Doriss heart softened instantly .
Thinking of her own mother , she couldnt bring herself to refuse .
Go ahead , Kayla .
Dont worry about it .
Ill cover for you .
Relief flooded Kaylas expression as tears of gratitude glistened in her eyes .
Thank you so much , Doris .
I owe you one .
See later .
With that , she hurried off , leaving Doris standing alone but resolute .
you At midnight , the supervisor from the Food and Beverage Department approached her .
Doris , were short staffed tonight .
Theres a delivery that needs to be made .
Can you handle it ! Sure , Doris replied without hesitation , her professional demeanor firmly in place .
But what she didnt expect was that the delivery was for none other than the prestigious Hartman Group .
Hartman Groups headquarters were a mere 500 yards from Hampstone Hotel , their towering skyscraper a striking landmark in the city .
Its grandeur wasnt just in its appearance ; working there was a dream for many , a symbol of status and achievement .
Doris drove the hotels business delivery van to Hartman Group , parking neatly in one of the designated spots in the plaza .
She stepped out and opened the back door , carefully lifting the trays of delicacies and drinks .
As she approached the main entrance , her attention was caught by a gleaming Maybach parked nearby .
r were two men engaged in conversation .
Her eyes instinctively locked onto one of them , and Standing beside the luxury car her eyes widened in surprise .
Wed , 26 Feb Chapter 10 It was Lewis .
Her husband .