Chapter 4 - A Perfect Morning for Important People
The next morning, the Grand Aurelia prepared for the arrival of Senator Warren Caldwell and his family.
Fresh roses filled the lobby. A red carpet was placed near the entrance. Adrian inspected every employee personally, adjusting collars and criticizing hairstyles while photographers gathered outside.
Isabella sat in an armchair near the staircase, drinking coffee and observing.
Maya approached with a folded newspaper.
“Mr. Cross ordered the staff not to serve you.”
“Then why did you bring coffee?”
“I bought it before my shift.”
Isabella looked at the cup.
“You shouldn’t risk your job.”
Maya gave a tired smile.
“I think I’m going to lose it anyway.”
She handed Isabella the newspaper. Inside was a printed sheet containing a list of names and payment amounts.
“What is this?”
“Private transportation charges. Guests pay the hotel for airport cars, but Adrian sends the requests to his brother’s company. The hotel owns six vehicles, yet they sit unused while we pay outside fees.”
“Where did you get this?”
“I process invoices.”
“Do you have original copies?”
“Some.”
Maya sat beside her.
“I used to think he was only cruel. Then I realized cruelty was useful to him. Everyone was too afraid to ask why money disappeared.”
Before Isabella could respond, Adrian’s voice rang across the lobby.
“Maya!”
Maya stood quickly.
Adrian approached with Brent.
“Why are you sitting with this guest?”
“She asked about transportation.”
“I told you not to assist her.”
Maya took a breath.
“She has a confirmed reservation.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You are suspended.”
“On what grounds?”
“Insubordination.”
“You cannot keep doing this,” Maya said.
Employees around the lobby looked up.
Adrian stepped closer.
“I can do anything necessary to protect this hotel.”
Isabella rose.
“You mean protect yourself.”
He turned on her.
“You will leave within the hour.”
“Why?”
“You entered restricted areas, disrupted staff operations, and stole internal property.”
“I returned Rosa’s notebook.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
The mention of Rosa confirmed something he had not known with certainty.
“You have been speaking to employees.”
“Yes.”
“What did they tell you?”
“Enough.”
Adrian’s public smile vanished.
“You think you understand this place because you spent one night here?”
“I understand that your staff fear you.”
“They respect authority.”
“They fear losing their income if they tell the truth.”
“Truth?” Adrian laughed. “These people complain about everything. Hours, wages, promotions, schedules. Give them kindness and they mistake it for weakness.”
Maya looked at him with open disgust.
“My mother taught me the opposite.”
Adrian turned toward Brent.
“Escort both of them out.”
At that moment, applause erupted near the entrance.
Senator Caldwell had arrived.
Adrian instantly transformed. His face brightened, his shoulders relaxed, and he hurried forward with both hands extended.
“Senator, welcome back to the Grand Aurelia.”
The senator shook his hand while cameras flashed.
Adrian introduced executives and guided the family toward the elevators. He never mentioned that Maya had just been suspended or that a confirmed guest was being threatened with removal.
Isabella watched the performance.
Then she noticed a young boy standing behind the senator’s group. He had dropped a small leather case near the revolving door. Before he could retrieve it, a man in a gray jacket picked it up and walked quickly toward the side exit.
Henry, the doorman, saw him.
“Sir, that belongs to the Caldwell family.”
The man continued walking.
Henry moved to block him.
The stranger shoved Henry aside and ran.
Security guards near the senator did not react. Adrian had ordered them to focus entirely on protecting high-profile guests from reporters, not on watching the lobby.
Isabella stepped into the stranger’s path.
He changed direction, but Marcus appeared from the side corridor and caught his arm. The leather case fell to the floor.
Inside were the senator’s medication and confidential documents.
The lobby erupted in confusion.
Marcus handed the case to the senator’s assistant. Henry stood again, rubbing his shoulder.
Adrian rushed over.
“What happened?”
“Your security team was watching cameras instead of exits,” Marcus said.
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“I did not request your opinion.”
“As security director, you requested it when you accepted the position.”
The senator thanked Marcus and Henry, then turned to Isabella.
“You stepped in front of him.”
“I only slowed him down.”
“You could have been hurt.”
“So could your son.”
The senator studied her face.
“Have we met?”
“Not officially.”
Adrian quickly interrupted.
“Senator, this woman is being removed for disruptive behavior.”
The senator looked surprised.
“She just helped protect my family.”
“She entered restricted areas and harassed employees.”
“I saw no harassment.”
Adrian lowered his voice.
“This is an internal matter.”
The senator looked from Adrian to Isabella.
“Perhaps it should not be.”
Cameras were still recording.
Adrian realized the situation could damage him publicly. His expression softened.
“Of course. There may have been a misunderstanding. Ms. Hart may remain until we complete a review.”
Isabella smiled faintly.
“How generous.”
As the senator moved toward the elevator, Marcus stepped beside her.
“I transferred the loading dock footage,” he whispered. “But several cameras were remotely erased at six this morning.”
“Can the footage be recovered?”
“My team is working on it.”
“Who had access?”
“Adrian, Brent, and the regional finance director.”
May you like
Isabella watched Adrian speaking cheerfully to reporters.
“Then we’re missing someone.”
