The Heir They Underestimated

CHAPTER 6

Twenty minutes after Alex left, the hotel manager appeared in the doorway again.

His face was pale. Drawn. He scanned the crowd with nervous eyes, spotted Derek, and walked toward him with quick steps.

"Mr. Morrison." The manager's voice was tight. "I need to speak with you privately."

Derek barely glanced at him. "Can't it wait? I'm celebrating."

"I'm afraid not, sir. It's urgent."

Derek sighed and handed his champagne to Melissa. "I'll be right back, baby."

He followed the manager to a small side room. The manager closed the door behind them.

"What's so urgent?" Derek's tone was annoyed.

The manager's hands were shaking slightly. "Your reservation has been cancelled."

Derek stared at him. "What?"

"Your reservation for the Imperial Ballroom. It's been cancelled. Effective immediately."

"That's impossible. I paid twenty thousand dollars."

"Your payment has been fully refunded to your account."

Derek's face flushed red. "This is insane! Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, sir. I'm very sorry."

"Sorry? You're kicking me out of my own engagement party?"

The manager wouldn't meet his eyes. "The decision comes from ownership. Corporate level. I have no authority to override it."

"Corporate level? Why? What reason?"

"I wasn't given a reason, sir. Just orders to terminate your reservation and ask you to vacate."

Derek stepped closer. Aggressive. "I want to speak to your supervisor."

"That won't change anything, sir."

"Get me your supervisor. Now."

"Sir, please. The decision is final. I need you to gather your guests and vacate the premises within thirty minutes."

Derek stared at him. This couldn't be happening.

"You'll be hearing from my lawyers."

The manager nodded. "I understand, sir. But you still need to leave."

Derek turned and walked out, hands in fists at his sides.

He returned to the ballroom. His father was waiting near the entrance with his phone in hand. His face was ashen.

"Derek." His father's voice was low. Urgent. "We need to leave. Now."

"I know. The hotel is kicking us out—"

"Not just that." His father held up his phone. "The company just terminated our development deal."

Derek's stomach dropped. "What?"

"Fifty million dollars. Gone. The call came five minutes ago. No explanation. The contract was just... terminated."

Derek's mind raced. The hotel. The business deal. Both happening minutes apart.

His father's voice was tight. "We need to leave this hotel. Now."

Derek walked to the center of the room. Forced a smile.

"Everyone, I apologize. There's been a technical issue with the hotel. We need to relocate."

Confused murmurs. Disappointed faces.

Security appeared. Professional but firm. Ushering everyone toward the exits.

Within twenty minutes, the Imperial Ballroom was empty.

In the car, Melissa broke the silence.

"What really happened?"

Derek's hands gripped the steering wheel. "The hotel kicked us out. No explanation. And my father just lost a fifty million dollar deal. With the same company that owns the hotel."

Melissa went quiet for a moment.

"Derek... the timing..."

"Don't." His voice was sharp.

"But right after Alex left—"

"Alex couldn't cause this. He's a delivery boy who got evicted. He's broke. He has nothing. No power. No connections. Nothing."

Melissa wanted to argue. But Derek's voice had an edge she rarely heard. Fear.

"You're right," she said quietly. "It's just bad timing."

Derek nodded, but his hands were still gripping the wheel too tight.

The alternative was too absurd to consider.

Alex. A nobody with a scooter and unpaid rent.

Impossible.

Had to be coincidence.