Chapter 2

Helena's expression changed. "Never mind that pretentious fellow," she muttered. "Now his father's acting full of himself?" She yelled, "What are you doing? Who authorized this?"

Robert rushed to his father. "Dad, I'm sorry! Dad!"

Zachary took a drag of his cigarette and shouted, "Zidane, smash everything!"

Zidane, a formidable figure not to be trifled with, grabbed a chair and hurled it. A cascade of crashes followed as expensive ornaments, glass tables, and chairs shattered. The magnificent hotel lobby descended into chaos in an instant.

Robert stood dumbfounded.

Helena, regaining her composure, screamed, "Stop! Security! Security, get here now!"

Hotel security guards swarmed the trio, but hesitated to approach Zidane's menacing six-foot-three frame, scarred face, and wild eyes.

Minutes later, Zachary tossed aside the last chair leg, panting amidst the wreckage. Zidane stood impassively behind him.

"Ah, that felt good," Zachary sighed, wiping his brow.

"Insane! All of you are insane!" Helena shrieked. "The young one brings two older ones to smash things! You'll bankrupt yourselves! You won't walk out of here!"

Zachary waved a hand dismissively. "We'll compensate the hotel. What's it to you? Get your supervisor."

"Our supervisor? Do you think you deserve to meet him?" Helena pointed at Zachary. "You're deplorable! Call the police! Call them now!"

Screech! A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, worth nearly $300,000, screeched to a halt. A middle-aged man emerged.

Helena's joy at her superior's arrival was short-lived. Adam Brown rushed in, grim-faced.

Helena sneered inwardly. "Aren't you fearless? Mr. Brown's here. Let's see how fearless you are! He'll put you in prison!"

Adam ignored Helena, striding toward Zachary. Zachary lit another cigarette. "Your management skills are lacking," he chuckled. "I understand my son's temper. Anyone who provokes him this violently must have crossed a line."

Adam's knees buckled. He bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Boss."

The word "Boss" stunned Helena, Robert, and the security guards. Only Zidane remained impassive.

Helena paled. Zachary looked at her. "I'm smashing things in my hotel. Why call the police? Can I not smash my own property?"

Terrified, Helena could only drop her phone. Zachary's question was a direct hit.

Adam remained silent, head bowed. Zachary glanced at him. "See if my son's still angry. If so, let him continue. Otherwise, clean this up."

Adam nodded, then approached Robert ingratiatingly. "Mr. Zabinski, what do you say?"

Robert was dazed. Zachary waved a hand. "Robert, this is our hotel. Smash whatever you want! You're my only son."

"Our hotel?" Robert thought. The revelation stunned him. He'd always envied Grand Triumphant Hotel. Now he knew it was his family's.

He considered his father's character, Adam's reaction – this wasn't a joke. I'm a scion?

Just hours ago, his girlfriend left him for a richer man. Helena treated him poorly because he was poor. Now, he was a scion?

"You were too young," Zachary explained. "Your mother and I didn't tell you. There are things you need to know." He flicked his cigarette butt and headed for the private elevator. "Zidane, wait here."

Receptionists bowed. One pressed the elevator button. Robert followed, feeling surreal.

Adam, relieved, confronted Helena. "Get out! You're fired! I'll review the surveillance footage. If you violated customer service regulations, you'll pay!"

Helena, panicked and regretful, collapsed. Who knew the man dumped by his girlfriend was the boss's son?

Outside, in a Porsche, a man spoke to Marilyn.

"Marilyn, after graduation…"

"Pull over," Marilyn interrupted, stroking her forehead.

"Marilyn, we just…"

"Kendrick, I'll go back alone." Marilyn got out of the car.

Dusk painted the sky red. Marilyn looked toward Grand Triumphant Hotel, remembering Robert's pale face. She regretted hurting him, but her wealthy family wouldn't allow her to be with an ordinary person.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Graduation will likely be the last time we meet."

Chapter 2

Grand Triumphant Hotel's top-floor office was luxuriously decorated. Robert sat uneasily.

"You know the hotel is ours," Zachary said, beaming. "But do you know which company owns it?"

(The passage ends abruptly here.)