THE PRISONER RETURNED AS A KING

Chapter 7: THE SHOCK

The Chief receptionist staggered backward three steps like someone under the intoxicating influence of alcohol, her back slammed against the counter with a sharp crack, a sharp cry of pain escaping from her lips.

Gasps rippled through the lobby collectively.

Jaws dropped in shock, the clients were not comprehending what was happening at the moment.

The receptionist forced herself back to her feet. Her cheek burned with the marks of fingerprints.

She looked at Mrs. Carrington with eyes wide in disbelief and confusion, ignoring the pain twitching her sore cheek.

"Mrs. Carrington..." Her voice cracked, laced firmlywith determination to see Mrs. Carrington return the slap to Kade. "..this man..he is the one who deserves the slap.. you're misunderstanding the situation here. He just waltz in here and insulted your your name.."

Mrs. Carrington turned away from her without interest, the reaction made the Chief receptionist stop talking, watching with wide eyes as Mrs. Carrington walked up to meet Kade.

Her cheek flushed with from pain and embarrassment.

Mrs. Carrington's angry expression softened the moment she stood before Kade, the hostility towards the Receptionist vanished from her face, replaced with an apologetic expression.

The lobby noises reduced in volume, everyone concentrated on the sudden palpable transformation on the Elena Carrington's face with a confused mix of shock.

Mrs. Carrington pressed her palm together in front, her body lowered slightly, a respectful stance that made rippled soft gasps through the air.

"Mr. Kade please, I apologize for not handling things properly to welcome you. It is a disrespect to have anyone speak to you rudely, least of all, a common receptionist."

"I am disappointed, Mrs. Carrington." Kade said, "is this the kind of people you employ at your business? They insult people just because their appearance doesn't align with their personal standard." Kade wasn't angry. He was simply disappointed.

Mrs. Carrington's expression dropped, panic crossing her face as though Kade's simple statement was devastating than any casualty.

The air shifted now, the lobby was whispered in confusion.

The chief receptionist froze behind watching the entire thing a cheek burning in embarrassment, anger and confusion.

Right in front of everyone, Mrs. Carrington's knee buckled, her next action was obvious— she was going to knee until Kade caught her arm pulling up gently.

A collective louder gasps echoed across the room, but Mrs. Carrington didn't bother, she didn't glance at anyone except she concentrated her focus to appease Kade.

The chief receptionist shook her head, her confusion dreepened, she was unable to bear what was happening before her.

She bolted forward before her body could warn her. She slapped Kade's hand away from Mrs. Carrington's.

"Get your Filthy hands off Mrs.Carrington!" She hissed and turned to Mrs. Carrington fast. A hotter slap tore on her cheek before she could speak. "Are you crazy?! You insulted my important guest because you're unprofessional and you are so daft you couldn't make a simple call to confirm his appointment with me!" Mrs. Carrington's voice was over the roof.

The receptionist stumebled backward, her cheek burning with embarrassment and pain. Her eyes stung with tears that didn't fall yet. The understanding settled on her like glass shattering on flesh. She blinked once and twice as understanding Settled inside like poison.

Her knee gave out to the floor with a sharp crack. She crawled to Mrs. Carrington's feet. Tears spilled down her eyes fast.

"I never knew..I never knew he was the important guest you talked about.. please forgive me.. forgive me, ma.." The apology tumbled from her mouth through tears. The entire lobby laughing while she insulted Kade earlier her gone quiet on her. They were reeling in their own shock, murmuring buzzing under breaths.

"It wasn't me you offended," Mrs. Carrington casted a cold disdainful glance on her. "Apologize to Mr. Kade right now!"

She crawled to Kade's feet like an insect. Her uniform which was earlier smooth, and gave her the aura of authority was wrinkled, her face was an absolute mess of pain, snot, and tears, her pride reduced to nothing at the feet of the man she looked down upon.

She clapped her palm in front, pouring out apology with trembling voice.

Kade looked at her with in neutral indifferent.

"You set the stake yourself," he said, "so you have to resign. This will be a lesson to you never to look down on just because they didn't wear designers."

Kade pulled away from her.

The receptionist shoulder slumped. She crawled after Kade desperately. "Mr. Crowe please...it won't happen again. Please forgive me.."

"Don't push it." Mrs. Carrington glared at her. "I could have done something worse to punish you. Like have you blacklisted from getting employment from any company in the city. Now get up and pack your things and get out of this place before I ask the Securities to remove you."

The receptionist's heart fell heavily she heard the sound rippled through her ear. Her face went white in horror. She just lost her job because of pride, because she was acted unprofessional, refusing to simply confirm Kade's appointment, but rather chosing to humiliate him because of his simple appearance. She regretted it.

"No..Mrs. Carrington..Mr. Kade.. please..."

Kade and Mrs. Carrington disappeared into the elevator, murmuring buzzing behind them in the lobby.

"Damn! He's not a nobody." One man's gaze lingered on Kade receding figure in shock.

"Who is he?" Another muttered.

"Mrs. Carrington doesn't just walk with anyone. She just called him the important guest! That man must be an elite disguised chosing to disguise with a simple outfit."

One security tore her the receptionist badge, glaring at her coldly. "You heard the Boss. Get up or we'll drag you out."