Chapter 32Donovan's demeanor changed instantly as he walked towards her with open arms, "Victoria, my love. I've missed you."Michael watched in disbelief as Donovan showered Victoria with affection, completely forgetting about him. He couldn't help but feel annoyed at how heartless Donovan was and how easily he could switch his emotions on and off.Victoria, the epitome of grace and elegance, sauntered towards them in her 10-centimeter heels. Her beauty was even more radiant today. As she reached Donovan, she leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips. Donovan reciprocated, and for a moment, Michael was left stunned. Were they a couple now?The receptionist, Linda, stood behind the front, her eyes fixed on Victoria and Donovan as they shared passionate kiss in the lobby. She couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy mixed with a tinge of disgust. Nearby, Lisa, the head of the cleaning department, also sneakedances at the couple, her features twisted with a sense of bitterness."Oh my

34The gasps of disbelief and confusion echoed through the room like a tidal wave, rippling amongst the employees. They exchanged bewildered glances, some shaking their heads in sheer disbelief. Linda's name was whispered like a curse, as if the very mention of it tarnished the reputation of the Luminous Plaza Hotel.With her head bowed in shame, Linda quickly packed her stuffs, the sound of her stuffs were the only noises heard in the lobby. The silence stretched on, stillness suffocating the room, until finally, the whispers of disbelief and confusion broke the surface, like a cacophony of voices in hushed tones."What is happening?" one voice asked, filled with confusion."I never would have expected this," someone else replied, their disbelief dripping from each word.More voices joined the conversation, each person trying to piece together the fragments of a puzzle that had suddenly been shattered. Doubt, like an unwelcome guest, had slithered its way into their midst, casting unc

36Donovan's eyes widened in shock as he spotted Michael sitting comfortably in a sofa at the corner of the room, a smug smile playing on his lips. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze darting between Mr. Rockefeller and Michael. Confusion and disbelief overwhelmed him, and he found himself blurting out, "Michael, what are you doing here?" Donovan demanded, his voice echoing in the room. "You have no business being in this office. Get out! You're an impostor!"A smug smile still played on Michael's lips as he locked eyes with Donovan. "Oh, Donovan, Donovan," he chuckled condescendingly. "You really don't get it, do you? I'm not an impostor. In fact, I'm Mr. Ventura, Vanguard Industries' Marketing Director."Donovan's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to process the revelation. "No way! That can't be true! You're just a pathetic loser!"Mr. Rockefeller's eyes flashed with anger at Donovan's outburst. "Mr. Walter," he said, his voice icy, "you will not spe

"Mr. Rockefeller," Michael began, his voice measured and persuasive, "I understand your concerns and hesitations. However, if we adjust the pricing structure slightly and explore alternative revenue streams, we can achieve a win-win situation. Our strategies will not only increase the hotel's revenue but also enhance its brand image, resulting in long-term benefits."Mr. Rockefeller's eyes gleamed with intrigue, his interest piqued by Michael's proposal. "Go on, Mr. Ventura. Convince me."Michael, undeterred, leaned forward, his voice oozing with confidence. "By strategically targeting new market segments and implementing dynamic pricing models, we can attract a wider range of customers without compromising the existing customer base."Mr. Rockefeller raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Michael's response. "And how do you propose we explore these alternative revenue streams?"With a smile, Michael began to outline his ideas. "One potential avenue is to collaborate with local businesses an

40Deeply frustrated, yet determined, he stared at them squarely, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anger and hurt.As the commotion at the entrance continued, a young woman passing by noticed the growing tension. Curiosity piqued, she approached the gatekeepers, offering her assistance."Excuse me," she interjected politely, "but I couldn't help but overhear. May I take a look at the ticket?"Reluctantly, one of the gatekeepers handed the ticket over to her, his annoyance barely concealed. The young woman inspected the ticket carefully, her skeptical expression gradually transforming into one of surprise."I'm sorry to inform you," she began, her voice filled with genuine concern, "but both of you are wrong. This ticket is indeed valid for today's event. It seems there was a mix-up in your database."Embarrassment washed over the gatekeepers as the weight of their mistake settled upon them. Michael who had been desperately defending the authenticity of his ticket, couldn't help but fe