Chapter 4

Back at my desk.

It was peak morning hours, and the staff area was bustling with people.

Brad deliberately raised his voice so the whole floor could hear.

"Listen up, everyone! Stop what you're doing!"

"I've got a major announcement!"

Everyone froze, their eyes locking onto us.

Brad pointed at me, wearing a mask of fake virtue.

"Julian Sterling has been caught red-handed stealing guest property and engaging in corrupt conduct, in gross violation of company policy!"

"Authorized by Mr. Vance, he is terminated immediately!"

"Effective right this second!"

The office exploded into chatter.

People had heard rumors after the morning meeting, but hearing "terminated" out loud still caused a shockwave.

Leo was standing in the crowd, grinning so wide his cheeks looked like they were going to tear.

He pulled out his phone and started snapping photos of me.

"Oh, sweet justice!"

"The thief finally gets tossed out!"

"The air in this hotel is already cleaner!"

Brad marched up to my desk, picked up my organizer box, and violently flipped it onto the floor.

Everything spilled across the carpet.

"Oops. My bad, butterfingers," Brad smirked with nasty malice.

Snickers broke out all around us.

I looked at the coworkers who used to smile and grab lunch with me, now eagerly joining in the mockery.

Strangely, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Without looking back, I walked straight out of the hotel lobby.

Once home, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I had avoided calling for months.

My grandfather's voice answered.

"Julian? Why are you calling me in the middle of the day?"

Hearing his voice made my chest tighten, but I held it together.

I'm a Sterling. I don't break down like a child.

"Grandpa," I said quietly, keeping my tone steady.

"I got fired."

Silence on the line for one second.

Then came my grandfather's thunderous fury.

"What? Fired?"

"Who the hell dared to fire you?"

I told him everything from start to finish.

From Brad's slander, to Vance's threats, to the public humiliation in the office.

When I finished, my grandfather was quiet for a long time.

Yet, I could feel an earthquake brewing beneath the silence.

"Good. Very good," Grandpa said, his voice cold as ice.

"It seems I've been retired too long. Some people think they own my empire."

"Julian, you took the hit."

"Leave the rest to me."

After hanging up, I leaned back against the sofa and closed my eyes.

"George, bring the car around. Take me to the Island Resort."

"I need some fresh air."

"Right away, young master."

Meanwhile.

At Sovereign Hospitality's Regional Headquarters, in the CEO's corner office.

David Ross, CEO of the regional branch, was signing documents when his phone rang.

The caller ID made his hand shake, sending his fountain pen streaking across the paper.

It was the private line of Arthur Sterling, the founder and chairman.

"Ch-Chairman Sterling! Good morning, sir!"

He answered, drenched in nervous sweat.

The roar that blasted through the receiver nearly blew out his eardrums.

"David Ross! Look at the mess you're running!"

"My grandson is being dragged through the dirt right under your nose! Are you a CEO or a damn paperweight?!"

"If you don't give me an answer by the end of today, pack your bags and get the hell out of my company!"

David Ross went completely numb.

Grandson?

What grandson?

Wasn't the heir studying abroad in Europe?

When did he end up on the front lines?

And someone bullied him?!

Who had a death wish big enough to mess with the sole heir to the Sterling empire?!

David slammed the phone down, cold sweat pouring down his spine.

He shouted for his executive secretary, his voice shaking.

"Pull up the HR files! Now!"

"Did the flagship hotel fire an intern recently?"

"Find anyone named Sterling!"