Chapter 33The luxurious suite of the Luminous Plaza Hotel was filled with the soft murmur of jazz music. In the center of the room, a burly man with a stern face, Mr. Rockefeller, the CEO of the hotel, was seated on a plush couch. A pretty blonde woman was nestled in his lap, her lips pressed against his in an attempt to soothe his nerves. Just as he was beginning to enjoy the distraction, his phone vibrated on the glass coffee table."Damn it," he muttered, gently pushing the woman off his lap. She yelped as her bottom hit the cold marble floor."Ouch! What's the problem?" She cried. Ignoring her cry, he reached for the phone. The caller ID read 'Mr. Ventura'. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Michael was supposed to be at a meeting with him, not calling him."Sir?" he answered, his voice gruff. "Mr. Rockefeller," Michael's voice came through, sounding strained. "I've been thrown out of the hotel.""What?" A gasp escaped Mr. Rockefeller's lips as he shot up from the couch, his f
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
35In Donovan's office, the atmosphere was thick with an unsettling laughter. Donovan and Victoria stood side by side, their expressions filled with malice, as they reveled in their perceived superiority."You know, Victoria, I just can't believe how foolish Michael thinks he is," Donovan chuckled, his voice dripping with venom.Victoria joined in, her laughter echoing through the room. "Oh, absolutely! I mean, who does he think he's fooling? Pretending to be the marketing director of Vanguard Industries? Pathetic."The two of them exchanged smug glances, relishing in their cruel mockery. Donovan leaned against his desk, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "And to think he actually believed he could beg for a position at Luminous Plaza Hotel," he scoffed.Victoria nodded, a malicious gleam in her eyes. "A lowly loser like him, trying to worm his way into a prestigious place like that? It's laughable."Their laughter grew louder, echoing off the office walls. The conversation cont
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
37Donovan turned around, his face displaying a mix of disbelief and resignation. He had anticipated a reprimand, maybe even a warning, but being let go from his job was a blow he had not seen coming. He couldn't leave like that, he turned to Mr. rockefeller."Mr. Rockefeller, please, reconsider this decision," he pleaded, his eyes darting between Donovan and their boss. " Please, give me another chance."Mr. Rockefeller stern gaze fixed on Donovan. "I'm sorry, but my decision is final," he replied curtly. "Mr. Walter you have proven to be unreliable and incapable of meeting the standards required for this position. It's time for him to move on."Donovan's shoulders slumped, his eyes downcast. He felt a mixture of anger and helplessness coursing through his veins. How could everything he had worked for be taken away in an instant? He couldn't shake off the feeling of injustice that engulfed him. This was all michael's fault. "I'm going to get revenge michael sooner or later!" He thou
"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
" Can we find a place to talk?" Victoria asked.Michael's confusion only deepened, but curiosity compelled him to comply. "Alright, let's find somewhere private."As they moved away from the entrance of the hotel, Michael couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that something was amiss. He mustered the courage to ask, "Victoria, I can't help but wonder... What's really going on?"Victoria's demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of seduction seeping into her voice. "It was quite a surprise to see you here."He eyed her suspiciously. "What do you want, Victoria?"She batted her eyelashes coyly. "Is it so strange to want to catch up with an old friend?"Michael snorted. "We were never friends, Victoria. You used to call me a nerd and a loser."She brushed a strand of hair out of her face, sauntering closer. "But you're not a nerd or a loser, Michael. You're so...handsome."He rolled his eyes. "Is that supposed to convince me to talk to you?"Victoria stepped closer, her stilettos clicking on
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