After becoming
6

Chapter 6

“You’re just putting on a brave face now that you see we’re not welcoming you, pretending you don’t care,” Greta continued her snide remarks.

Melanie also looked at me with disdain. “Janina, you need to know your place. This isn’t somewhere you belong. Just leave and stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Exactly! Today is my son’s one–month celebration. Your presence here will only bring bad luck to him. I don’t want my son to be poor his whole life. Get out!” Greta’s hostility was relentless.

I met her gaze and said coldly, “If you don’t want to see me, you can leave yourself.” This was my territory, and I had no intention of indulging her.

“Well, aren’t you something, Janina? No skills but plenty of attitude. This high–end hotel is no place for a broke ex–con like you. Get out, get out, get out!” Greta was furious, grabbing my collar and trying to drag me out.

“Don’t touch me!” I forcefully shrugged off her hand, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.

“Smack!” Without a word, James stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. “Janina, you’re no longer the lobby manager earning tens of thousands a month. Now, you’re just a worthless nobody. Did you really think we’d put up with you?”

He then shouted down the hallway, “Security! Where’s security?”

Hearing this, a group of security guards quickly rushed over.

James pointed at me and barked at the security guards, “How can you let just anyone in here? Get this beggar woman out of here immediately!”

The head of security approached James and asked politely, “Sir, what is the problem?”

James pointed at me again. “This woman is a penniless beggar trying to scrounge a meal here. Get her

out!”

The security chief looked at me and said coldly, “Ma’am, please leave.”

I usually kept a low profile, rarely revealing my status as the hotel owner, even though I lived and dined here. Only the upper management knew who I was.

Seeing the head of security try to throw me out so quickly, I fixed him with a stern gaze and said, “Is this how you handle situations? Don’t you know the hotel’s policy? We should not judge anyone by their appearance or offend any guest.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed the security chief’s eyes. He looked at me uneasily, no longer daring to say anything.

Greta, seeing this, became anxious. “Don’t let her fool you! She’s just a broke ex–con. Throw her out!” “Sorry, ma’am. We don’t eject any guests without cause.” The security chief firmly refused Greta’s demand this time.

“What are you security guys doing then? Getting scared off by a few words from her?” James shouted at the guards, then turned to me again. “Janina, don’t think you can bluff your way out of this. I know the hotel manager here. One call from me, and you’re out!”

With that, he pulled out his phone and made a call. “Mr. Feldman, it’s James, you…” “I’m busy.”