THE CONSORTIUM HEIR'S RECKONING

CHAPTER 7

Having witnessed something similar that same day - people bowing to him, Nicolas was more surprised by Nora's abilities. Though he was a man, he knew that if he had been faced with that many men, they would have beaten him to a pulp and he wouldn't have been able to protect Natalie.

But then, considering her status in the Belford family, she must have undergone rigorous training. He was coming to understand that a servant in the Belford family like she introduced herself the first time was not your regular servant. This one was expertly trained and sophisticated.

He was grateful to her. He also understood that the so-called Iron vultures or whatever their name was nothing compared to the power and authority of the Belford family which didn't surprise Nicolas much. Even their name sounded like a joke.

Nora turned to Nicolas. “Should I deal with them, master?”

Nicolas turned to Nora, confused at first. He hadn't expected that she'd seek his opinion or permission.

Nicolas turned to Ivan, Ben and their men. He glanced back at Natalie. “For now, leave them be. They aren't worth it." 

Ivan began to weep. "Thank you-”

“But if Natalie should get affected by whatever you fed her,” Nicolas held Ivan's gaze, “I won't spare any of you.”

Ivan swallowed, then he forced out, "Thank you, master." 

“Let's get out of here," Nicolas said to Nora and Nora led the way. The people stood aside to make way for them.

Even after the door closed, everyone remained silent and on their knees.

Until the revv of the engine was gone, Ivan remained on his knees, his face burning with extreme embarrassment.

“Bro! Why are we still on our knees?" Ben brome the perfect silence.

Ivan ignored him. He had just wanted to quietly slip out of there, but his arrogant and dumb brother was making it hard as he spoke again.

“Ivan, who were those people? Why did you-”

Ivan didn't allow Ben to finish his questions when he blindly turned to him and connected his palm with his cheeks. “Shut the fuck up, you stupid boy." 

Ben's eyes watered but he still glared at his brother, palming his cheeks. “What was that for?" 

“If it weren't for the master's mercy, we'd have all been tossed into an ocean for sharks to feed on!”

There were murmurs all around.

"Quiet!" Ivan yelled and the room grew silent again.

Ben scoffed. “What do you mean? Why do you keep saying master?”

Ivan ignored him as he issued a warning. "From this day onward, whenever any of you see that man, if you still wish to be alive, treat him with utmost respect!”

Nora parked the car before a top tier hotel. 

Confused, Nicolas turned to her. “Why have we stopped here?”

Nora hid a smile. “It's okay boss. I understand.”

Nicolas frowned. “Understand what?”

Nora was finding it harder to hide her smile. "I understand that you might not feel comfortable with her at the estate,” she answered and climbed out of the car.

Nicolas blinked, trying to understand what she meant.

“Here, let me help her out,” Nora muttered as she opened the back door and helped a snoring Natalie out.

Nicolas stepped out and took him from her. “Thank you,” he muttered.

“Anything for you, master.” Nora reached into her pocket and provided a blank bank card. He handed it over to Nicolas who took it skeptically.

“What is this for?”

Nora briefly wiggled her brows, a teasing smile on her lips. “With that, you can pick any room of your choice, no matter its cost.”

It finally clicked for Nicolas. He immediately shook his head.

“Oh no. It's not what you think.” It was on the tip of his tongue to mention that Natalie was his wife's sister, but Nora was dead set on her conclusion.

“Make sure you get a comfortable suite, master,” she smirked. “One she'd like.” She nodded at Natalie. "She looks like she has exquisite taste." 

Nicolas sighed. "Nora, look, you've misunderstood the whole thing.”

Nora gave Nicolas a knowing look. “If you say I have, then I have, master. If you need me, I'm only a phone call away. But I will not interrupt your wonderful night.”

“Nora!”

With a teasing smirk, she saluted, got in the car and drove off, but not before flashing him another smile.

Left with no choice, Nicolas supported Natalie and led them into the hotel lobby.

Once in a while, Natalie's eyes would crack open and she'd murmur, “where are we?” And she'd close her eyes before she could get a response.

Nicolas stopped at the front desk. He was about to provide the card when the receptionist frowned and looked at him from head to toes.

“All standard rooms are fully booked and we're not accepting new guests,” she said dismissively.

Nicolas placed the card on the counter before her. “Can I stay in a suite instead? Those can't be fully booked.”

The receptionist did the once over thing again. She briefly felt bad for the young lady in his arms. Why did she choose to go with such a poor man?

She scoffed. “You? A suite?” She looked at him again. She arched her brows. “Do you even know that our suites cost $9,999 a night?" 

Nicolas frowned. Why won't she just check the card he's dropped? That wouldn't be a hassle, would it? He just wanted to settle Natalie in as soon as possible and give her whatever home treatment he could, but the lady was making it difficult.

“Just check the card. I wouldn't be here if I didn't have enough." 

He was certain that Nora wouldn't have lied to him. Though they've just met, he trusts her. She's proven her loyalty. 

The receptionist let out a frustrated sigh. She picked up the card, but instead of checking, she flung it aside with a haughty laugh. She shook her head. "You really think you can waltz in here with some worthless card and pull a scam?”