Chapter 1 - Thrown Out of Her Own Hotel
The first thing Victoria Kane did was slam Elena Vale against a marble column. The second was point at the front doors and order security to throw her into the street.
“Get out of here right now!” Victoria snapped. Her diamond earrings flashed beneath the lobby chandeliers. “Security, toss this trash out onto the sidewalk before she scares away another guest.”
“Take your hands off me,” Elena said, her voice low and steady.
Victoria laughed. “You walk into the Bellwether Grand dressed like that and think you can tell me what to do? I run this luxury hotel. You are nobody.”
Elena looked down at the hands gripping her sleeves, then back at Victoria. “You should check who owns this floor first.”
“Show some respect to the lady,” the woman said.
Victoria spun on her. “How dare you touch me in my hotel?”
“I haven't touched you,” Elena replied. “But you just assaulted the actual owner.”
Victoria's face twisted with disbelief. “You are completely out of your mind.” Elena opened the folder. Inside lay a certified property deed, a trust certificate, and a document stamped by the county recorder that morning. Victoria barely glanced at them.
“Fake papers are easy to print,” she sneered. “Mr. Davis! Get down here. We have an imposter.”
The elevator doors opened behind her. General Manager Arthur Davis stepped into the lobby, still fastening the cuff of his navy suit. He saw Elena, stopped dead, and went pale.
“Welcome to the Bellwether Grand, Miss Elena.”
Davis turned toward her, his voice suddenly hard enough to silence the lobby. “Silence yourself right now, Victoria.” For one long second, no one moved. Then Victoria's expression changed. The shock drained away, replaced by something colder.
May you like
She stepped back, pulled out her phone, and typed a message beneath the cover of her hand.
SHE'S HERE. START THE CLEANUP.
