Chapter 3

He stood up, smoothed his suit jacket, and played the role of a righteous boss.

"Consider this your official termination notice!"

"Pack your crap and get out!"

"Not only that, I'm blacklisting you across the entire hospitality network. You'll never work in this industry again!"

Watching these two clowns team up, a cold fire lit up in my chest.

The Sovereign Hospitality Group was built on my grandfather's blood, sweat, and tears.

If cancers like these weren't carved out, they'd ruin everything he built.

"Fire me?" I sneered.

"Mr. Vance, you don't have the authority."

"I was recruited directly by Headquarters as an Executive Management Trainee. Only corporate HR can terminate me."

"Furthermore, firing an employee based on pure assumptions without proof is an illegal termination."

Vance blinked, clearly surprised that I’d try to pull the corporate card on him.

Then he broke into a mocking grin.

"Corporate? Julian, are you out of your damn mind?"

"Corporate is a thousand miles away. In this flagship hotel, I am God!"

"If I say you stole, you stole!"

"If I say you're fired, who’s going to stop me?"

Brad chimed in immediately.

"Exactly! Look in the mirror and check your reality!"

"Dropping the corporate name? Who do you think you are, the Sterling heir?"

"Get lost! Don't make me call my boys to drag you out!"

I nodded calmly.

"Alright. Perfect."

"Since you want to take it all the way, don't blame me for what comes next."

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number right in front of them.

It was the direct internal hotline for Sovereign Group's Global Oversight and Ethics Committee.

A line reserved strictly for critical corporate emergencies.

It rang once and connected.

"Ethics and Oversight Committee, how may I assist you?"

I put it on speaker, my voice calm and clear.

"This is Julian Sterling, management trainee at the downtown flagship."

"I am officially filing a whistleblowing report against General Manager Richard Vance and Security Head Brad Davis."

"Abuse of authority, slander, fabricating evidence, and unlawful termination."

"I request an immediate Level One executive audit."

The office went pin-drop silent.

Vance and Brad stared at me like I was insane.

After a few beats, Brad erupted into wild laughter.

"Hahaha! That's hilarious!"

"Level One audit? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Making a prank call to scare us? You missed your calling in Hollywood, buddy!"

Vance shook his head, sneering with pure condescension.

"Julian, you've completely lost it."

"If you want to play games, fine. Let's see who Headquarters believes—a ten-year veteran general manager, or a sticky-fingered temp intern!"

On the other end, the compliance officer clearly realized the gravity of the call. "Mr. Sterling, please provide details and upload your documentation."

Before I could reply, Vance snatched the phone out of my hand.

"Listen up! This is Richard Vance, General Manager of the flagship."

"Don't listen to this brat's nonsense!"

"He's a thief! We caught him red-handed, and now he's throwing a tantrum!"

Without waiting for a response, Vance hung up and tossed my phone back onto the desk.

"Hear that, Julian?"

"Even Corporate can't save you."

"In this building, when I tell you to jump, you jump!"

Brad rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"That's how it's done, Boss!"

"Trash like this should have been cleared out long ago!"

"I'll get my guys to stand over him while he packs, make sure he doesn't pocket any hotel silverware on his way out!"

Vance waved a dismissive hand.

"Go ahead. Don't let him cause a scene in the lobby."

"And post the termination notice in the all-staff WhatsApp group."

"Let everyone take it as a warning!"

Brad gave a sharp nod. "You got it, Boss!"

He turned around, glaring at me like a vulture.

"Move it, Lord Sterling."