Dominance of the Forgotten God of War

4. An understated dominance

The receptionist froze as she watched the manager nervously apologize to the random guy wearing casuals. She almost felt like she was hallucinating.

“What’s wrong, sir?” she asked in confusion. “Why are you apologizing to this nobody?”

The manager looked up and stared daggers at the receptionist standing behind the counter. “Shut your mouth before I pull out your tongue, you stupid imbecile! Do you even know who he is? Just look at that card on the table! It’s an Obsidian Pass that’s only offered to the most prestigious members of the Emerald Club. How many damn times do I need to explain this to you?” he shouted.

“Could you just show me to my room?” Alex intervened, hardly bothering to get involved in this pointless scuffle.

The manager quickly turned around and started apologizing again.

“I am really sorry, sir. I should have been here to receive you. Please forgive me just this once. I swear I will make it up to you!”

The dumbfounded receptionist slowly lifted the black card lying on the table and lowered her gaze. On closer scrutiny, she saw the code : A001 printed in red, meaning this card was only meant for the club’s most esteemed member, and this person had unrestricted access to all four floors.

Realizing her mistake, the receptionist immediately dropped the card and fell to her knees.

“I…didn’t see it. Please don’t file a complaint. I am sorry!” she pleaded, lowering her head.

But the manager wasn’t ready to hear any excuses. “You’re fired! We don’t need an incompetent idiot sitting here! Get out right now!” he yelled, showing her the door.

As the whimpering receptionist was dragged away by two female bouncers, the manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and changed his tone at once.

“I apologize you had to go through that. Please follow me, and I will take you to your room right away.”

Alex picked up his card and put it in his pocket before following the manager as he led him across the hallway and entered the elevator.

When they arrived on the third floor, Alex checked his phone and saw a text from Dr. Lucy. She said she had a surprise for him and would be reaching in ten minutes.

“I will wait here for now. I am expecting a friend,” he told the manager.

The manager nodded like a loyal butler and led Alex to one of their premium tables overlooking the southern window.

“Please make yourself comfortable. I will get your room ready for you. If you need anything, just press the buzzer.”

Once the manager left, Alex stretched himself out on the mahogany chair and looked at his watch again. It was already eight, and Lucy was still running late.

Just then, Alex heard a couple of familiar voices in the background, and it instantly made him stiffen up and roll his eyes.

“Damn it. Not those fools again,” he sighed.

Felicia’s loud, high-pitched laughter jarred his ear as she laughed at one of Robert’s lame jokes.

“Oh, you’re so funny!” she giggled. “I haven’t had such a good laugh in years!”

“Get used to it, darling. I am not just a handsome face but quite witty as well,” Robert replied with his usual boast.

Felicia was still giggling when her eyes fell on Alex. The smile instantly vanished from her face as she saw him sitting at one of the premium tables all by himself.

She couldn’t believe Alex had the audacity to enter such an expensive restaurant, and she immediately concluded that he must have used the Rashford family name to gain access to this place.

“Just what on earth are you doing here, Alex?” she barked, raising her voice a pitch higher. “Did you tell them that you are my husband? How shameful of you to still keep using my name even though I have already filed for a divorce.”

“I booked this table. You have no right to be here, you mangy cur,” Robert scoffed.

Alex sighed in frustration and muttered in a cold voice, “I am a guest here. This isn’t your table.”

Immediately, Felicia and Robert burst into peals of mocking laughter.

“Does this idiot really think he can just stroll into Neon Heights and pretend he is welcome at the table?” Robert jeered, staring at Alex with a wide grin on his face.

Felicia shook her head and joined in the mockery. “This is really so sad. I think he just wants to enjoy his last night as a member of the Rashford family. After all, he will probably go back to begging on the streets once the divorce is finalized.”

Just as Alex turned around to respond, the elegant and graceful beauty, Dr. Lucy Winchester, arrived. Clutching her silver-rimmed purse, she walked up to Alex’s table.

Seeing that Alex was already busy talking to the two, Dr. Lucy politely asked, “Am I interrupting something? Are they friends of yours?”

“Hardly,” Alex sighed in response and stood up to pull a chair for her.

Felicia’s eyes widened as she saw the beautiful red-headed lady blushing and smiling at Alex. She couldn’t believe that a penniless nobody like him had managed to become friends with such a charming woman.

Not only was Dr. Lucy far younger than Felicia, but also exceedingly beautiful. It was the worst mismatch she could think of, but Dr. Lucy seemed overjoyed to be with him.

“You penniless dog. I can’t believe you trapped another woman so quickly,” Felicia muttered, overwhelmed with jealousy.