The 900 Billion Dollar Heir

Chapter Six - The Luxury Hotel

Something in Gloria's tone made Duane's stomach drop.

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. I just... connected her with some people who were willing to help. People who could provide the kind of money she was looking for." Gloria's voice remained light, almost cheerful. "She's such a sweet girl, your sister. So willing to do whatever it takes to help your mother."

Duane's heart was pounding now, fear and rage mixing together in his chest. 

"Where is she?" His voice came out hard. "Gloria, where is Maya?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. He could hear music in the background, laughter, the clink of glasses.

"I told you, she's fine," Gloria said, her voice light and casual. "She's just helping some people out. Very important people, actually. She should be grateful for the opportunity.”

"What opportunity? Where is she?"

Gloria sighed like he was being difficult. "The Grandeur Hotel. Presidential suite on the top floor. Room 3501." She paused, and he could hear the smile in her voice. "If you hurry, you might still catch the best part of the show."

"What show? Gloria, what did you –"

The line went dead.

Duane stared at his phone for one frozen second, his mind racing.

The Grandeur Hotel. That was one of the most expensive hotels in the city. The presidential suite would cost thousands of dollars per night.

What was Maya doing there?

He turned and ran toward the exit, his footsteps echoing through the hospital corridor. Behind him, he heard Daniel Morrison call out something, but he didn't stop to listen.

His sister needed him.

The taxi ride felt like it took hours even though it was only fifteen minutes.

Duane sat in the back seat, his leg bouncing with nervous energy, his hands clenched into fists. 

The driver kept glancing at him in the rearview mirror, probably disturbed by the dried blood still on his clothes, but Duane didn't care.

All he could think about was Maya.

Sweet, innocent Maya who'd been trying so hard to raise money for their mother. Maya who would do anything to help her family.

What had Gloria done to her?

The taxi pulled up in front of the Grandeur Hotel and Duane threw money at the driver without waiting for change. 

He ran through the entrance, past the shocked doorman, across the marble lobby toward the elevators.

"Sir, excuse me, sir!" A security guard moved to intercept him. "You can't –"

Duane dodged around him and slammed his hand against the elevator button.

"Sir, I need to see your room key or –"

The elevator doors opened and Duane rushed inside, hitting the button for the top floor before the guard could follow.

The doors closed.

Duane leaned against the wall, breathing hard, his heart pounding so loudly he could hear it in his ears.

The elevator climbed slowly. Floor after floor. Each second felt like an eternity.

Finally, it reached the top floor with a soft chime.

The doors opened onto a quiet, elegant hallway with plush carpet and soft lighting. 

There were only four doors on this entire floor. Presidential suites for people with more money than Duane could have imagined just hours ago.

He found room 3501 at the end of the hall.

Classical music was playing inside. He could hear it through the door. 

Duane's stomach twisted with drea at what could be going on in there. 

He reached for the door handle, found it locked, and started pounding on the door with his fist.

"Maya! Maya, are you in there?"

No answer. Just the music continuing to play.

He pounded harder. "Open this door! Maya!"

***

Inside the suite, Gloria sat on a white leather sofa, a glass of champagne in her hand, looking perfectly relaxed and elegant.

Across from her sat a man in an expensive suit. 

He was in his fifties, with silver hair and the confident bearing of someone used to power and wealth. 

This was Richard Brown, a senior executive at Pinnacle Reserve Bank. One of the most influential financial figures in the city.

Between them, in the center of the room, Maya danced.

She wore a simple red dress that Gloria had given her – thin silk that clung to her body, far shorter than anything Maya would have chosen for herself.

Classical music played through the suite's expensive sound system. Maya's movements were graceful but strained, her face deathly pale with exhaustion. 

Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her breath came in short, painful gasps.

Tears streamed down her face constantly, but she didn't dare stop dancing.

Her feet were bare. The skin on her toes had worn completely away, leaving raw, bleeding flesh exposed. Small crimson stains marked the white carpet with every step. 

The pain must have been excruciating, but Maya didn't dare stop.

Blood pooled in her footprints.

Her legs trembled violently. Several times she nearly collapsed, but she caught herself each time and kept moving.

She had been dancing for four hours straight without rest, without water, without mercy.

"Well?" Gloria turned to Richard with a smile. "What do you think? Is she satisfying enough?"

Richard leaned back in his chair, swirling his champagne, his eyes following Maya's movements like he was examining merchandise.

"She's quite something," he said. "Beautiful, graceful, and so desperate to please. The way she keeps going even though her feet are destroyed... that level of dedication is rare." He glanced at Gloria. "Why wasn't such a good find brought to me sooner? I would have paid very well for an introduction like this."

Gloria's smile widened. "I only recently found the opportunity. Her brother used to be my husband. We divorced just today. When his pathetic sister came begging for money to save their dying mother, well..." She gestured elegantly at Maya. "I thought it would be a shame to waste such potential."

"Very thoughtful of you." Richard took a sip of his champagne. "She'll do nicely for tonight's entertainment. And perhaps for many nights to come."

Maya's face crumpled at those words, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks, but she kept dancing.

Gloria set down her glass and leaned forward. "Speaking of opportunities, I was wondering if you might do me a small favor."

"Oh?"

"My younger brother is looking for a position. Something in finance, preferably. I thought perhaps you might know of an opening at the bank?"

Richard's eyes moved from Maya to the corner of the room where Gloria's younger brother stood with their parents. The brother was in his early twenties, dressed in an expensive suit that didn't quite fit right, looking nervous and eager.

Richard studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sure we can find something suitable. Consider it done."

Gloria's face lit up with genuine joy. "Thank you so much, Richard. You're incredibly generous."

"Not at all. After providing such excellent entertainment, it's the least I can do." His eyes returned to Maya. "I have a feeling this won't be the last time we do business together."

Maya stumbled, her exhausted legs nearly giving out. She caught herself before she fell completely, but it was clear she was reaching her limit. Her breathing was ragged. Her entire body shook.

Gloria noticed immediately. "Don't stop," she said coldly. "Mr. Brown is still enjoying the performance. Keep dancing until he tells you to stop."

Maya's face crumpled. A sob escaped her throat, but she nodded and kept moving.

Her feet left larger blood stains now. The white carpet was becoming decorated with crimson footprints.

Gloria turned back to Richard with a smile. "She's very dedicated. She'll do whatever you –"

CRASH!

The door exploded inward. The frame splintered. The security lock shattered. Wood fragments flew across the room.

Duane stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his eyes wild with rage.

For a moment, everyone froze.

Maya stopped dancing, her hand flying to her mouth. "Duane..."

Gloria's smile deepened.

Richard stood up quickly, his face flushing with anger.

And Duane stood there, taking in the scene, his sister's bleeding feet, the tears on her face, the blood stains on the carpet, Gloria sitting there with her champagne.

His hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles went white. His entire body trembled with fury.

"What did you do to her?”