Hoffman's Illegitimate Son

Chapter 6: Royal Life hotel

Arthur stepped out of the taxi, gave some money to the driver, and looked up at the shining building.

"So, that is the Royal Life Hotel. Glamorous in its own quiet way," he mused, readjusting his collar and proceeding towards the grand revolving doors.

Stepping up to the front desk, where a young receptionist in the crisp white shirt stood busy with the tablet, Arthur felt his presence being noticed the second he had appeared in front of him dressed in his wet rags.

"I won't waste my breath," the receptionist said, not looking up from the screen. "If you are here to gawk at the lobby or ask for a handout, you are at the wrong place. Please turn around and go somewhere else before you cause a disturbance among our guests."

"Sorry," Arthur said calmly, with absolutely no irritation in his voice. "I'm not here for that. I have a meeting with the general manager."

The receptionist finally lifted his head, letting out the mocking laughter. "A meeting with the general manager? Do you have any idea about the kind of hotel that this is? One night in this hotel will cost you more than your entire outfit is worth. We don't serve vagrants here. Now, turn around and leave, or I'll send the security to throw you out."

Arthur looked at him. A small, icy smile played on his lips, and his fist balled around the small pen on the counter.

"Just call the manager and tell her Mr. Arthur is here," he said quietly.

"Listen, pal, I've had enough of your—"

Arthur's hand shot out, grabbing the receptionist's wrist in a deadly grip, cutting his breathing short.

The security guards couldn't intervene because of the sharp command, uttered by the woman in her mid-twenties, who aggressively strode across the marble floor, followed by two huge guards in black suits.

She approached the desk, stood before Arthur, and immediately went into the perfect 90-degree bow, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Arthur. We have been expecting you. I am Elizabeth, the general manager of this branch."

The receptionist froze, his entire face draining of its color. His knees started knocking.

Elizabeth slowly straightened up, and her eyes shifted to the receptionist. There was no scream, no chaotic outburst – only terrifying stillness.

"Pack your things," Elizabeth said, with her voice deadly calm, absolutely lacking any kindness. "Your employment in the Royal Life is terminated effective immediately. Security, escort this person out of here, and make sure he is blacklisted from every property we have."

The receptionist gasped, turning as pale as a ghost, but before he could even say anything, two guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged him towards the exit.

Without any hesitation, Elizabeth turned towards Arthur, with her posture rigidly apologetic. "Sir, please forgive this oversight. Right this way to my office."

Arthur followed her down the private corridor, leaving the terrified whispers of the lobby behind.

The paperwork inside the sprawling office on the top floor took only a few minutes.

"Alright, sir. That finalizes everything," Elizabeth said, sliding the gold-embossed folder across the mahogany desk after Arthur had signed it. She bowed again. "Once again, we are deeply sorry for the appalling behavior of our employee earlier."

"It's fine," Arthur said smoothly. "Would you mind if I stay here for a few days?"

"Of course not!" Elizabeth answered instantly. "As a 10% stakeholder of this company, you have absolute authority to do whatever you want in any hotel we have."

She turned to one of the suited men standing next to the door. "Prepare the presidential suite for Mr. Arthur immediately."

"Right away, ma'am," the man nodded, turning and leaving quickly.

"Sir, while your suite is being prepared, would you care to dine at our sky restaurant?" Elizabeth asked carefully.

"Lead the way," Arthur said.

The sky restaurant was truly breathtaking, having glass walls overlooking the whole city. However, the moment Arthur entered inside next to Elizabeth, who had to excuse herself for a quick phone call, the atmosphere souring.

Loud, obnoxious laughter was coming from the VIP lounge area, to the right.

Arthur glanced there and saw them. Chloe, Marcus and their posh group of friends were gathered around the big table, celebrating their engagement, and making fun of the "beggar", whom they had brushed off earlier this evening.

Arthur's blood was boiling, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to give them the satisfaction of his reaction. “There’s plenty of time to take everything away from them. For now, let them celebrate. They have no idea what kind of storm is brewing," Arthur mumbled to himself before going to the quiet table near the windows and sitting down.

Pulling out his phone, Arthur opened the system interface and checked his rewards.

[ Reward Received

Skill: insight Activated, skills available for effect

Trading skill: Beginner tier

Driving skill: intermediate tier

cooking skill: Advance tier

charm skill: beginner tier

....]

"I have more skills than I originally even taught, but most of them are useless now. At least the basic trading skill I learnt from David when I was younger can finally pay off." Arthur said, tapping over to his banking app.

Credit Alert: You have received a sum of $100,000.

New Balance: $106,672

Arthur knew that the wire transfer from the system had already gone through. All he needed was to let the foresight do the job.

"The system enhances trading skills using insight."

[Ding.]

[Trading skill enhanced from Beginner to Intermediate permanently.]

[Skill Insight has entered a cool down period. time until next use 30 days.]

"So the skill does have a cool down period like I originally thought, anyways lets browse the financial market."

Looking through the market data streams coming in the interface, Arthur got a sudden cold splash on the side of his face. Some liquid dripped down his cheek and soaked into his collar.

Arthur blinked, wiping his eyes and slowly looking up.

Standing right beside his table was Chloe, holding an empty cocktail glass, giving him an ugly look of disgust. A little farther away, Marcus was sitting in his chair, grinning widely.

"Disgusting," Chloe sneered, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Following me all the way here just to beg some more? Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough tonight?"

The other diners looked in the direction of the unfolding situation in the high-end restaurant.

Arthur didn't flinch. He slowly wiped the drink from his face, his eyes dead cold and silent.