Attempt to Purchase
Author: Cindy Chen
last update2026-07-30 10:01:17

A few guests laughed quietly, while others continued staring at Raiden with unconcealed curiosity.

Raiden ignored every pair of eyes fixed on him.

"Are you finished?" he asked calmly. "I'm here to book a room, and I'm prepared to pay."

Collins let out a dismissive snort.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" he said impatiently. "You're not welcome here, Raiden Bolt."

He looked Raiden up and down with open disdain.

"You're not the wealthy young master you were yesterday. Bolt Group is gone, and so is your fortune."

Collins gestured around the lobby.

"Take a good look at yourself. You're covered in dried blood, your clothes are filthy, and you reek of smoke. You're driving away my guests."

A mocking smile spread across his face.

"Now tell me... what exactly are you planning to pay with? Imaginary money?"

Collins spread his hands as if explaining the most obvious thing in the world.

"My responsibility is to protect the comfort of everyone staying here. I’m telling you to get out of this hotel before I kicked you out!”

Raiden studied him for a brief moment before giving a small nod.

"I see."

Collins smiled inwardly. Finally, the man had accepted reality.

Raiden looked toward the receptionist.

"In that case... I've changed my mind," Raiden said.

Collins' smile widened.

"Thank God. I was beginning to think this conversation would never end."

He made a small gesture toward the security guards waiting nearby.

"Gentlemen, please escort Mr. Bolt—"

"I'm no longer interested in renting a room," Raiden's calm voice interrupted him.

"I'd rather purchase the hotel."

Almost instantly, laughter erupted from every direction. One businessman laughed so hard he nearly dropped the coffee in his hand. Another leaned against a marble column, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes.

Even the receptionist lowered her head, unable to hide her laughter.

"Purchase Aurora Hotel? Has he completely lost his mind?"

"He couldn't even book a room a second ago. And now he wants to buy the entire hotel?"

Collins laughed louder than anyone else.

"Mr. Bolt... I knew yesterday must have been traumatic. But I didn't expect it to affect your mind this badly."

Before Raiden could respond, the hotel's automatic doors slid open once again. An elderly man entered the lobby, accompanied by three assistants dressed in dark business suits.

One of them checked his tablet while walking beside him.

"Chairman, the representatives from Crescent Capital have been waiting for twelve minutes."

"I know."

Aurora Hospitality had been searching for investors for months. If today's meeting failed as well, another opportunity to stabilize the company's finances might disappear.

He had no intention of wasting time on unnecessary distractions. Unfortunately, the gathering crowd near the reception desk made that impossible.

His brows knitted together.

"What's going on here?"

Collins immediately stepped forward.

"My apologies for the disturbance, Chairman. We'll have everything resolved in a moment."

Whitmore glanced toward the source of the commotion. At first, he only saw a man wearing bloodstained clothes.

Then recognition slowly appeared in his eyes.

"Raiden Bolt? Y-you can… stand?"

Raiden inclined his head politely.

"Mr. Whitmore."

Whitmore looked him over from head to toe. For a moment, he almost failed to reconcile the man before him with the heir he had met several times during business events alongside William Bolt.

"I heard about your parents," Whitmore said quietly.

"My condolences."

"Thank you," Raiden said

Whitmore nodded once.

"You don't look well. If I may offer some advice, you should see a doctor before worrying about anything else."

He turned toward Collins.

"Arrange a car to take Mr. Bolt to the nearest hospital."

"Of course, Chairman."

Whitmore was about to continue toward the elevators when Raiden spoke again.

"That won't be necessary. I'm not here because I need help. I'm here because Aurora Hotel is for sale."

The chairman slowly turned around. His expression remained calm, though there was now a trace of curiosity.

Raiden continued before anyone else could interrupt.

"Several months ago, Bolt Group evaluated Aurora Hotel as a potential acquisition. I handled the proposal personally. We considered moving forward, but my father decided to allocate the capital elsewhere."

His gaze met Whitmore's.

"I've reviewed Aurora's financial reports. I know your company has been searching for a buyer since the expansion project strained your cash flow. So today, I've come to finish the acquisition myself."

For the first time since entering the lobby, Whitmore didn't respond immediately.

Those discussions had taken place behind closed doors. Very few outsiders knew Aurora Hospitality had quietly approached several corporations regarding a possible sale.

Collins noticed the brief hesitation and immediately stepped forward.

"Chairman, please don't let him waste any more of your time. Let me handle this situation quickly."

He smiled confidently before looking at Raiden. His eyes dropped toward Raiden's empty hands.

"You claim you can buy Aurora Hotel. Fine. Let's begin with something much simpler."

He pointed toward the payment terminal resting on the reception counter.

"You still have a bank card, don't you?"

The smile on his face widened as Raiden nodded. He reached his pocket and took out his black bank card.

Collins smiled as though he had just found the quickest way to end the entire farce.

"Perfect."

He tapped the payment terminal with a finger.

"We've already wasted enough of everyone's time."

His gaze shifted to Raiden.

"Charge him for one night's stay."

Then he looked back at Raiden, unable to hide the smug satisfaction in his voice.

"If the payment goes through, you can proceed with your plan to purchase the hotel," he said while chuckling mockingly.

"But if that card has already been frozen then this little fantasy ends here. You'll leave this hotel immediately, and my security guards won't have to waste another second listening to your nonsense."

Several guests nodded. It sounded reasonable.

After all, if Raiden couldn't even pay for a single room, talking about buying the entire hotel was simply ridiculous.

The receptionist picked up the payment terminal and looked at Raiden expectantly.

"Your card, please."

Without a word, Raiden gave it to the receptionist.

One businessman shook his head.

"Bolt Group collapsed yesterday. There's no way the banks haven't frozen his accounts."

"Exactly. Most major accounts would've been restricted the moment ownership changed hands."

"He's probably still in denial."

Collins folded his arms.

"Go on. Let's not keep Chairman Whitmore waiting. Insert the card. If it's declined, this conversation is over. And you'll walk out that door."

Whitmore said nothing. He wasn't particularly interested in humiliating Raiden, but Collins' suggestion made practical sense. It would take less than a minute. If the card was declined, the matter would be settled, and everyone could move on.

The receptionist inserted the card into the terminal. A soft electronic chime broke the silence. Collins was impatient to see the word: Declined.

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