Chapter 6 - THE NEW FOUNDATION
Eleanor Vale had built her reputation through philanthropy.
Her signature project was:
Vale Mothers Forward.
A workforce program for pregnant women and new mothers.
Career coaching.
Childcare grants.
Hospitality placements.
Emergency housing assistance.
The gala where Isabella worked was raising money for it.
Victor Ashford was a major donor.
That was why he attended.
Richard Vale owned Vale Grand Hotels.
Eleanor ran the foundation.
The public story was elegant.
Then Isabella learned who staffed the gala.
A subcontracted hospitality agency called BrightStaff.
Isabella worked for them part-time.
No health insurance.
Unpredictable shifts.
No paid maternity leave.
No guaranteed rest breaks beyond legal minimums.
The irony was not illegal.
But it was sharp.
A gala raising money for pregnant workers was being served by a pregnant worker whose employer offered almost none of the protections donors were applauding.
Victor noticed that too.
He asked his assistant:
“Who employs her?”
“BrightStaff.”
“Does Vale Mothers Forward contract with them?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
May you like
The answer came later.
Enough to make him uncomfortable.
