Chapter 321: Lucky Streak or Setup?
Ellix arrived at the hotel, sensing an unexplainable oddness. Although she was staying in a five-star hotel, which should guarantee top-notch service, the staff seemed unusually eager to ensure she approved of the service quality. Is it because I haven’t traveled far for a long time, or am I just out of touch with the outside world?
Confused, Ellis lay on the bed, not rushing to go out and explore. After a night’s rest, she slowly started to plan her activities. She could have spent a month in Kyrador, following the itinerary specially prepared for her by Maya; however, Zion’s interference forced her to change cities.
What Ellis didn’t expect was her continuous streak of good luck, no matter where she went. For instance, when she visited a small island, there was an unexpected fireworks show, not scheduled for this time of year. The fireworks enveloped the island, filling the night sky with brilliant lights that were both stunning and mesmerizing, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.
Indeed, it was breathtaking: Ellis stood with her head tilted back, fully absorbed in the array of different colored fireworks. Nearby tourists discussed among themselves: “Is this really just a fireworks show, or is it a show of wealth? These spectacular fireworks must have cost a fortune.” “Maybe it’s a significant local holiday, hence the fireworks?” “Or perhaps there’s a VIP on the island, and the fireworks are specially for them?” “You might be onto something; maybe we’re just lucky to be here thanks to the VIP.”
Ellis overheard their conversations but didn’t dwell on them. No matter how beautiful, fireworks were just a means to please humans; she didn’t want to think too hard about it and just enjoyed the show quietly. To her surprise, the fireworks display lasted nearly two hours, much like a lavish expenditure show, as one tourist had commented. She silently commended the extravagance.
Then, the island’s staff organized a lottery as part of the celebration. Due to her lack of preparation, Ellis wasn’t sure what they were celebrating. However, the prizes were numerous. The grand prize was a seven-day luxury cruise. This wasn’t just any cruise; it was well-known both domestically and internationally for its opulence. Ellis, not particularly keen on sea voyages, thought she’d just give it a try for fun. And just like that, she drew the grand prize.
When the staff verified her ticket, they immediately exclaimed, “Ms. Harper, congratulations! You’ve won our seven-day sea voyage. During this time, any expenses you incur on the cruise will be covered by our company.” Ellis vaguely remembered that a travel company had leased this small island for decades; that must be the company the staff was referring to.
After nearly a year of back-to-back misfortunes in Stonebridge, she wasn’t used to such good luck and hesitated to accept the prize immediately, fearing illegality. She took her time to verify everything. Once she confirmed the details on the travel company’s official website, which included a page dedicated to the event and a detailed list of the prizes, she accepted with relief. After all, it wasn’t her money being spent, so she might as well enjoy a few days at sea.
Due to her unique status among the tourists, a special staff member was assigned to assist her. From the moment she arrived at the dock where the cruise ship was moored, she was warmly received and led onto the ship. “Ms. Harper, if you need anything during your trip, feel free to contact me or any other staff member. We wish you a pleasant journey!” The staff placed her luggage at her cabin door, handed her the room key, and left.
Upon opening the door, Ellis was struck by the understated luxury that greeted her. Was the grand prize treatment always this good? This cabin had to be one of the highest categories on the ship. When misfortune becomes a constant, it’s hard to believe one’s luck has turned. She took a curious lap around the cabin.
“Mr. Maxwell, the ship is about to depart. Would you like to stay onboard for a few days, or do you prefer to disembark now?” She had forgotten to close the door, and suddenly a respectful voice came from outside. Ellis wasn’t initially curious, but the mention of ‘Mr. Maxwell’ piqued her interest. She reflexively turned to look, catching a glimpse of a figure she had seen a few times before. Isn’t he the assistant manager of the hotel in Kyrador?
They weren’t very close, and the man was just a fleeting presence. After a brief glimpse of his profile, and considering he was just a stranger she had met briefly, Ellis lost interest and walked over to close the door. Outside in the corridor, Maxwell looked around, inspecting the ship for any issues. Following Maxwell, Cleveland, his diligent assistant, repeated after receiving no response from his superior, “Mr. Maxwell, if you’re not disembarking now, I can arrange for the ship to stop at the next port…” “What’s this?” Suddenly, his superior tore a poster off the wall. Cleveland thought carefully, “We have a generous guest who has arranged an event for his family on our cruise…