Chapter 4 - The Unmasking
Before Patricia could attempt another frantic apology, the sharp sound of polished leather shoes clicking rapidly against marble echoed across the grand lobby.
A tall man in a tailored charcoal Italian suit hurried toward the front desk, his hair neatly slicked back, a silk pocket square tucked into his chest pocket.
It was Richard Sterling, the General Manager of the Grand Regent Chicago.
Richard was accompanied by two security directors, his face flushed with nervous anxiety as he scanned the room.
He had just received an automated smartphone alert directly from the corporate server notifying him that the Master Key Code FOUNDER-01 had been activated at his front desk terminal.
“Mr. Vance!” Richard gasped, catching his breath as he halted right in front of the marble counter.
He bowed his head slightly, his tone drenched in deep respect and sheer panic.
“Sir! Welcome to Chicago! We had no advance notice of your arrival—if corporate had notified me, I would have met you at the airport with a private escort!”
Patricia and Karla froze completely.
Patricia dropped the key card she was holding; it clattered loudly against the granite desktop.
“M-Mr. Vance?” Karla stammered under her breath, her eyes wide with total terror. “Founder?”
The realization hit both women like a physical blow.
The man in the faded leather jacket, carrying a worn backpack, holding a sleeping girl and crushed flowers, was not just an executive.
He owned the building. He owned their jobs. He owned the company.
Ethan turned his head slowly to look at Richard Sterling.
Lily stirred again on his shoulder, letting out a small, tired sigh. Ethan gently stroked her hair, soothing her back into deep sleep before speaking.
“Richard,” Ethan said smoothly, his voice echoing in the dead silence of the lobby. “I come to my properties unannounced for a reason. I come to see how my guests are treated when they don't have a title attached to their name.”
Richard’s face went pale. He glanced sharply at Patricia and Karla, sensing the thick, toxic atmosphere hanging over the desk.
“Sir... was there an issue with your check-in process?” Richard asked nervously, sweat breaking out along his hairline.
“An issue?” Ethan replied, a bitter smile touching his lips. “Your front desk staff told me I would fit in better at a cheap motel out by the highway. They refused to search the secondary corporate system. They mocked my daughter’s sleeping state, criticized my appearance, and turned me away twice without a second thought.”
Richard turned to Patricia and Karla, his eyes blazing with fury and panic. “Is this true?! You talked to Mr. Vance like this?!”
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“We... we didn't know!” Patricia cried out, tears of terror welling up in her eyes as she clasped her hands together. “Sir, please! It was a mistake! We thought... we thought he was just a walk-in street traveler! We were trying to protect the luxury atmosphere of the lobby for the gala guests!”
“And that is precisely the problem,” Ethan said, his quiet voice instantly shutting down her frantic pleading.
