Extraordinary Jackson Ryder

07: Who is Breaking Whose Bones?

"Not good! Not good!" Jackson kept muttering as he got into a taxi.

According to the reports Kenneth sent him, Morgan was abroad settling the differences between two conflicting subsidiary company. This was something expected to take him a month or two.

Why was he returning now? Something was fishy. 

Jackson hurried the driver along, trying to play out several scenarios in his mind. 

And soon, they arrived at the entrance of Hotel De Lux. This Hotel was one of the most luxurious 5-stars in the whole of Chicago with nice terrains, gardens, swimming pools, tennis court and even a golf field.

Jackson didn't have time to admire all that, he just dashed to the entrance, trying to make his way in when he was stopped by a security guard. 

"Hey, where are you going?" he frowned, gawking condescendingly at his poor clothes.

"I'm here to see Mr Kenneth." Jackson replied in a haste. 

The guard scoffed. "How could someone like you meet Mr Kenneth?”

“Even the CEO of Hotel De Lux very rarely sees him. Today's the 2nd time he's visiting this year, what would he want with a miser like you?" His loud voice already garnering attention. “You’re just an attention seeker, please go away!”

Jackson gritted his teeth. What sort of employees were this? Humiliating people just because of their appearance? "Listen, I'm not here to fight. I only want to see the man."

"Can I see your appointment letter?"

“I need an appointment?" Jackson checked his watch. He was totally in a hurry, what is all this? 

"I knew it!" the guard shouted. "You must be one of those poor people that have never really seen a grand Hotel like this! Just yesterday, we discovered that a part of our Kneiss Sculpture had been stolen. It must have been someone like you!"

The guard pressed a red button, shouting. 

Soon, half a dozen men arrived following a burly man who seemed to be the Head Security. He threw a dirty glance at Jackson. "So you're the miser that is here to steal?"

"Please. I'm only here to see Mr Kenneth. It’s urgent!" Jackson replied.

"Ha-ha! A poor rat like you can only see him in your dreams. Get lost!"

Jackson gritted. "Why are you all so incompetent? Is this how you treat guests that visit the Hotel?"

They burst into a deriding laughter. "Can you afford to pay for a simple bottle of water here? Look, Hotel De Lux isn't for your types, get out and get lost before I break your bones into pieces!" The Head Security pushed Jackson aggressively. 

"Now, who's breaking whose bones?" A clear, authoritative voice came from behind them.

Everyone turned to the direction to see Kenneth standing beside the CEO of the Hotel, Liam HemsWorth, deep frowns on both their faces.

Kenneth came down the stairs, hurrying to face the leader of the security. "What did you just say?"

"Sir Kenneth." the man bowed deeply, fear and dread in his voice. "This man came here to steal and we tried pursuing him but he was-“

"And you prevented him from entering. How dare you do that? Are you tired of living?” Kenneth slapped him across the face.

The guard held his cheeks, dumbstruck. "But sir, he's just a nobody. Why are you-?"

Kenneth slapped him hard again, his face turning red in anger. "How dare you counter my words and call him a nobody, do you know how powerful this-"

He paused when Jackson patted his shoulder. "Its fine, Sir Kenneth. They probably just lack manners."

Kenneth understood the signal. It wouldn't do them any good to blow their cover just because of a useless security guard. 

Liam understood the situation. He didn’t know Jackson’s specific identity, but the way Kenneth treated him was a clear signal that he was a big shot.

“You idiots! Is this how I trained you to receive guests? Why do you keep bringing reproach to this Hotel’s reputation? Can you afford to pay a billion dollars in damages?”

“No, sir, please-”

"That's it, you're fired!" Liam pointed accusing fingers at the guards. "All of you are fired, without severance pay or pension allowance! Now get back in there, grab your things and scram!"

"S. . .Sir." they fell from fear and trembling. "We're really sorry for what happened. Please have mercy!”

“Sir, please. I have a newly born baby with a housewife!” The guard that first harassed Jackson tried to grab Liam’s legs.

But Liam kicked him off, faced Jackson. "Mr Ryder, Mr Kenneth, please accept my apologies on behalf of these fools, I beg you not to take it to heart."

All passersby couldn’t help but wonder who Jackson really was. Why were two influential men suddenly subservient to him? 

Some new guards had come to drag the erring men off, so Liam bowed. “The VVIP suite isn’t booked today. Please come with me.”

Liam kept his head slightly bowed as the three men made their way through the hall into the lift, giving all staffs the signal not to tamper with Jackson next time. 

The got out on the first floor, and stepped into a luxurious Presidential Suite.

Jackson gasped. This place was really worth the hype. The interior décor was magnificent, and the paintings and sculptures complimented each other with such a cool, artistic feel. There was a center table made of crystal-bead, surrounded by a sofa and two chairs.

Kenneth noticed Jackson’s hesitation. "I can assure you. This is the most secured place we can speak without constraints." 

Jackson nodded, making his way to the silk sofa. Kenneth settled opposite him.

“What will you be having today, sirs?" Liam asked.

"Hmm. What would you like, Mr Ryder." Kenneth asked.

"Anything."

He nodded. "What are the best wines and dessert on the menu?"

"For wines, we have Imperial Queen's Whiskey which costs $3 million, Lala Fountain Cranberry Wine priced at $2.7 million and Givenchy&Docs Wine at $2 million. For the desserts we have the Saskatoon Berry Pie, Lux Chocolate Mousse, Beaver Tails and Snow Krispy Crème Cake all priced at $50 thousand per serving.” Liam rushed out in one breath.

Jackson’s couldn’t hide his surprise.

"Alright,” Kenneth waved his hand. “Bring us the most expensive wine, and three dishes of the Beaver Tails. I have to treat my guests nicely."

When Liam left, Jackson couldn't help but matter. "Did we have to go for the most expensive one?"

"Of course.” Kenneth flashed his teeth. “We have to make a beautiful toast to your return! We finally found you after years and years of searching. Unfortunately, your father wasn't alive to witness it."

Jackson felt a twinge of sadness at the mention of his father.

But he shook it off. "You ordered for 3 plates, are we expecting someone else?"

Kenneth’s face suddenly paled a notch. “A. . .Ah. That must have been a slip of my tongue, I-”

A strange expression crossed his face before he finally admitted. "Actually, yes. He was one of your fathers most trusted confidant, and a current stakeholder at the Hutton Group of Companies."

Jackson clenched his jaw. Not another person he had to out watch for.

At that moment, Liam returned with two waiters holding wine glasses with the wine placed in a bucket of ice. 

The desserts were served and they left. 

"How could this person keep us waiting for so long?" Jackson cocked his brows. 

Just then, Kenneth received a call on his phone. "M. . . Morgan?" He stuttered, dropping the phone in shock. 

"What's wrong?"

"Morgan has arrived."