I Became A Billionaire Overnight

Chapter 9

"Do you have a gold invitation card signed by Lady Amelia Sterling herself?"

"No, I do not," Mason said calmly. "I told you, I am just looking for a room."

"Then you need to turn around and walk right back out those doors," Sarah snapped, her tone dripping with annoyance. "You can come back next week after the party has cleared down and the regular rooms open back up for common visitors."

Mason frowned, his irritation growing. "Listen to me carefully. I am tired, and I am not looking to attend any party. I just want a key to a room so I can rest."

Sarah crossed her arms and glared at him. "Do not waste my time, sir! Every middle-level corporate manager and regular millionaire who buys a nice suit thinks they can just wander in here and pretend they belong with the big leagues. You think because you dressed up nicely tonight you get to breathe the same air as the top-tier elite? The only rooms available in this entire building tonight are on the top floor, and those are reserved exclusively for Lady Amelia Sterling and her most extravagant billionaire guests. You did not even bring bags or a personal staff with you. A man walking in alone off the street could never touch a room on that floor."

Mason stared at her for a moment. A sudden thought crossed his mind. He could easily pick up his phone, call his banking representative, and buy out the entire Sovereign Hotel building right now just to hand Sarah her termination papers on the spot.

He paused and mentally forced himself to drop the idea.

*Snap out of the fantasy,* Mason thought to himself. *This hotel property is worth at least five hundred million dollars. Spending half a billion dollars just to spite a rude receptionist would be a completely dumb move.*

"How much is a room on the top floor?" Mason asked aloud.

Sarah let out another loud, obnoxious scoff. "A single night on the top floor costs three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Does that number baffle you? Does it sound like real money now?"

Mason scoffed at the price. Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a single night was ridiculous, even if he had billions in his account.

Sarah's eyes narrowed instantly, and her face flushed red with anger. "Do not scoff at me! Do not stress me out with your attitude! I could lose my job if my manager sees me standing here arguing with a walk-in who cannot afford our rates while high-profile guests are waiting to be served!"

Before Mason could answer her, the front doors slid open again. A wealthy middle-aged couple walked into the lobby. The man wore an expensive pinstripe suit with a gold luxury watch on his wrist, and his wife wore a red designer gown. They walked straight toward the reception desk with total confidence.

Sarah did not even wait for Mason to finish standing there. She put her hand out, physically shoved Mason to the side, and completely turned her back on him to smile at the new arrivals.

"Welcome to the Sovereign, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford!" Sarah said, her voice instantly turning sweet and bubbly. "I am so terribly sorry you had to stand behind a walk-in who was wasting our time. How may I assist you this evening?"

Mr. Crawford handed over a thick gold invitation card. "We are here for Lady Amelia's celebration. We booked our suite on the fourth floor from the top. The main event takes place on the third floor, correct?"

"That is correct, Mr. Crawford!" Sarah purred, taking the card and tapping rapidly on her terminal screen. "Your reservation is fully verified. Your suite on the fourth floor from the top is ready, and here are your VIP access keys for the private elevators."

Mr. Crawford took the keycards and turned his head to look directly at Mason. He sneered, looking Mason up and down with obvious contempt.

"Why do these middle-level folks always think they belong with the big leagues?" Mr. Crawford said to his wife, speaking loudly enough for the whole desk area to hear. "They make a little bit of money, buy one tailored jacket, and suddenly think they can stand in the same lobby as true North Side wealth. It is honestly embarrassing."

Mrs. Crawford laughed softly, covering her mouth. "Some people just do not know their place in the world, dear."

They turned away and walked arrogantly toward the private elevator banks.

Mason stood perfectly still. The cold disrespect from the receptionist and the condescending mock from the mid-level CEO cut through his remaining fatigue. The last shreds of his patience snapped completely.

"That does it," Mason said under his breath.

He stepped right back in front of the counter, cutting directly into Sarah's space before she could return to her tablet.

"What are the payment details?" Mason demanded. His voice was low, steady, and filled with a cold, absolute authority that made Sarah freeze in her tracks. "I am getting the top floor suites."

Sarah blinked in absolute shock. She stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Are you insane?" Sarah yelled, her voice rising in volume. "Did you not hear a single word I just said to you? There are only four rooms on the top floor! Lady Amelia Sterling has one, her parents have the second room, and billionaire Victor Vance has the third room! Who are you to think you can sit with them on the same floor? You are nobody! You do not belong anywhere near those people!"

"I know what I want," Mason said.

He reached into the inner pocket of his charcoal jacket, pulled out the sleek, heavy metal black card he had received from First National Bank, and slammed it down flat on the wooden desk with a loud, sharp snap.

"Process the top floor right now," Mason commanded, glaring directly into her eyes.

Sarah looked down at the desk. The matte black metal caught the light of the chandelier, displaying the rare, unlisted VIP chip that only the top fractional percentage of global wealth possessed. All the color drained from her face instantly. Her mouth fell open, and her hands began to shake violently over the keyboard.

"Sir..." Sarah stammered, her voice trembling as her entire arrogant attitude collapsed into pure terror. "I... I will set up your suite immediately."

Mason kept his eyes pinned on her shaking hands as she started frantically typing into the terminal. His posture remained straight, immovable, and dominant. He had the power now, and he was no longer letting anyone stand in his way.