Table Turns
Author: Cindy Chen
last update2026-07-30 10:02:43

The conference room door finally opened. Whitmore stepped out first and Raiden followed a step behind.

The moment Collins saw them, the tension that had been building inside him for the past thirty minutes vanished.

He immediately concluded the negotiation had failed. Why else would Whitmore be wearing such a stern expression?

A triumphant smile spread across his face.

"I knew it," he muttered under his breath.

The receptionist let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"I told you. No one buys a hotel in half an hour."

Collins straightened his suit before walking toward them with practiced professionalism.

"Chairman."

He bowed slightly.

"I apologize for the disturbance earlier. I've already instructed security to escort Mr. Bolt out if necessary."

Whitmore didn't answer. He simply looked at Collins for a moment before turning his attention elsewhere.

Collins mistook the silence for disappointment. He shot Raiden a smug look.

"I did warn you. I hope you enjoyed your little fantasy while it lasted."

His smile widened.

"You should've taken the room. It would've been much cheaper."

A few guests nearby laughed. Even the receptionist couldn't hide a smile.

Raiden merely looked at Collins, his expression remained calm.

"I give you 2 minutes to leave before the security kicked you out!" Collins exclaimed.

"I told you to spend those thirty minutes packing your desk," Raiden said with a faint smile.

Collins laughed openly.

"And I told you Chairman Whitmore would bring you back to reality."

He glanced at Whitmore.

"Should I call security now, Chairman?"

Whitmore finally spoke.

"That won't be necessary."

Collins nodded confidently.

"I understand. I'll handle it."

He turned toward the guards.

"Take him ou--"

"Collins," Whitmore's voice cut through the lobby.

The manager immediately stopped.

"Yes, Chairman?"

Whitmore looked at Raiden.

"Mr. Bolt. I believe this decision belongs to you now."

The smile on Collins' face froze.

"What?"

Whitmore calmly continued.

"The ownership transfer has been completed. As of five minutes ago, Aurora Hotel officially became Mr. Bolt's property."

Collins stared blankly at Whitmore, convinced he had misheard.

"Chairman?"

Whitmore corrected him without the slightest hesitation.

"Former Chairman. The hotel no longer belongs to Aurora Hospitality. It belongs to Mr. Bolt."

The color drained from Collins' face. He slowly turned toward Raiden.

"No... That's impossible. You... You were bluffing. You don't have that kind of money," he mumbled.

Collins felt his knees weaken.

Raiden looked at him quietly.

"Now, packed your things. I give you 15 minutes to get out of here and never came back,” Raiden said.

"And it applies to you too," Raiden pointed to the receptionist.

The woman sobbed instantly. Her body trembled violently.

“M-Mr. Bolt, I…”

Collins' lips trembled.

"Please... It was a misunderstanding. I was only doing my job."

Raiden looked at him for several seconds before speaking.

"No. You weren't doing your job. You mocked a guest. And you judged someone by the clothes they were wearing instead of the money they were willing to spend."

He glanced briefly at the receptionist.

"You did exactly the same."

She hurriedly lowered her head.

"M-Mr. Bolt... I'm sorry."

Raiden's expression remained unchanged.

"When I walked into this hotel, neither of you knew who I was. You only knew what I looked like. And based on that alone, you decided I wasn't worthy of respect."

“Mr. Bolt, please! I need this job!” the receptionist fall down to her knees.

“I don’t want to see both of you anywhere near this hotel again,” Raiden said.

The lobby remained silent as the weight of those two sentences settled over everyone present. Nobody dared to laugh anymore.

“Make sure they disappear from this hotel in 15 minutes,” Raiden said to the security.

“Yes, Mr. Bolt!”

The silence in the lobby lingered for several more seconds before Whitmore broke it.

"Mr. Bolt."

Raiden turned toward him.

"Congratulations on your acquisition."

Whitmore extended his hand once more.

"I won't keep you any longer. There are still several legal documents that require signatures, but my legal team will prepare everything this afternoon. Ownership has already been transferred financially. The remaining paperwork is merely a formality."

Raiden shook his hand.

"I appreciate your professionalism."

Whitmore smiled faintly.

"In business, reputation is worth more than money."

He glanced around the lobby before adding, "I hope Aurora Hotel continues to prosper under your leadership."

"I'll do my best."

Whitmore gave a respectful nod.

"I have no doubt."

He then turned to several executives who had accompanied him throughout the negotiation.

"Let's go."

The group quietly followed him toward the exit.

As Whitmore passed through the revolving doors, he looked back one last time.

Just an hour ago, the young man standing in the lobby had been treated as nothing more than an unwelcome nuisance. Now he owned the entire hotel. Whitmore couldn't help but smile. The business world never lacked surprises.

Once Whitmore and his team departed, the lobby became noticeably quieter.

Finally, an elegantly dressed middle-aged man stepped forward from the concierge desk.

He bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Bolt, my name is Arthur Hayes. I serve as the hotel's Chief Concierge."

Raiden nodded politely.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hayes."

Hayes maintained his respectful posture.

"Former Chairman Whitmore instructed us to provide you with the Presidential Suite immediately. It occupies the entire top floor. It has always been reserved for the hotel's owner whenever they stayed at Aurora. It includes a private office, meeting room, dining room, personal lounge, fitness area, and twenty-four-hour butler service."

He paused briefly.

"From this moment forward, it is yours whenever you are here."

“Alright. Let’s go.

Hayes gestured toward a private elevator located beyond the reception area.

"If you'll follow me."

As they walked across the lobby, every employee they passed instinctively stepped aside. Heads lowered.

Greetings followed one after another.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bolt."

"Congratulations, Mr. Bolt."

"Welcome, sir."

Less than an hour earlier, those same employees had watched in silence while Collins mocked him. Now, not a single person dared meet his eyes for more than a moment.

Hayes stopped before an elevator separated from the guest elevators by polished marble walls. He removed a gold access card and tapped it against the security panel.

A soft chime sounded.

"The Presidential Suite has its own private elevator," Hayes explained as the doors slid open.

"It can only be accessed with owner authorization."

Raiden stepped inside. The interior was spacious, lined with dark walnut panels and polished brass accents. It felt more like a private executive lounge than an elevator. Hayes pressed the button for the top floor. The doors slowly closed.

As the elevator began its smooth ascent, Raiden watched the lobby disappear from view. Now, he has the first brick to rebuild his empire and avenged his parent’s death.

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