Chapter 3: Inside Elevator Two
For a few seconds, only the soft hum of the elevator filled the space.
Then Evelyn spoke.
“Were you the person responsible for the flowers in my room?”
Clara answered carefully.
“No, ma’am, but I can check with housekeeping right away.”
Evelyn’s lips curled with irritation.
“I requested white orchids. The photo they sent me showed white roses. Do people here even know how to read?”
Clara kept her voice gentle.
“I’m very sorry for the mistake. I’ll make sure the flowers are replaced before you arrive.”
But Evelyn did not want a solution.
She wanted someone to blame.
She stepped closer.
“You people always say sorry after ruining everything.”
Clara tightened her grip on the folder.
“I understand your concern, ma’am. I’ll fix it immediately.”
Evelyn stared at Clara’s name tag.
“Clara Hayes,” she read aloud. “Such a sweet little name.”
Clara said nothing.
Evelyn laughed softly.
“You put on a hotel uniform and suddenly think you belong near people like us.”
Clara swallowed her anger.
“I’m only doing my job.”
Evelyn’s expression changed.
“Your job is to serve me.”
Without warning, she reached forward and grabbed Clara’s name tag. The pin pulled against the fabric, making Clara flinch.
“Miss Hart, please don’t do that.”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Then she shoved Clara against the elevator wall.
The folder dropped from Clara’s hands. Papers scattered across the floor. Clara raised both hands in front of her body, not to fight, but to protect herself.
“I don’t want trouble,” Clara said, her voice shaking. “Please step back.”
Evelyn moved toward her again.
“Who do you think you are?”
She lunged forward, but Clara stepped aside. Evelyn lost her balance and hit her arm against the metal handrail.
At that exact second, the elevator doors opened.
Two guests standing outside stared in shock.
Evelyn looked at them, then at her own arm.
In an instant, her face changed.
The anger disappeared. Tears filled her eyes.
“She attacked me!” Evelyn screamed. “This employee pushed me!”
Clara froze.
“No, I didn’t. She was the one who—”
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“Shut up!” Evelyn cried, rushing into the lobby.
Within seconds, everything became chaos.
