CHAPTER SIX

Ethan stood awkwardly in the luxurious lounge of the Hot Spring Resort, his eyes scanning the opulent décor that surrounded him. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on the marble floors. The room was filled with people dressed in designer suits and evening gowns, their conversations filled with the easy confidence of those who belonged in such a setting. Ethan, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water.

“Please, have a seat, Young Master Reed,” Robert Greene said, gesturing to an elegant chair near a grand table laden with gourmet dishes. His voice was respectful, almost reverent, as if Ethan were royalty.

Ethan hesitated, then nodded, sitting down carefully. “Thank you, Mr. Greene.”

“Call me Robert, please,” the manager insisted, smiling. “Your sister speaks very highly of you.”

Before Ethan could respond, Robert’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting to one of urgency. “Excuse me, Young Master Reed. I need to take this call. Please, enjoy the banquet.”

Ethan nodded again, feeling more out of place than ever as Robert hurried out of the room. He glanced around, noticing the curious glances from the other guests, who were clearly wondering who he was. He sighed and reached for a glass of water, his mind still reeling from the events of the day.

Meanwhile, in the reception lobby, Blake Donovan paced back and forth, his expression dark with anger. Rachel stood nearby, whispering to the other receptionists as they watched Ethan on the security monitor.

“This is ridiculous,” Blake muttered, running a hand through his hair. “We can’t just let some random guy waltz in here and make a scene. I’m calling security.”

Rachel nodded eagerly. “Yes, Mr. Donovan. We’ll make sure he’s removed immediately.”

Just as Blake pulled out his phone, the door to the lounge burst open, and Robert stormed in, his face flushed with irritation.

“Stop!” Robert’s voice rang out across the lobby, startling everyone. He ignored Blake’s shocked expression and marched straight to Ethan, his demeanor instantly transforming from frustration to respect. “Young Master Reed, my apologies for the delay. I hope everything has been satisfactory so far?”

Ethan, caught off guard, nodded slowly. “Uh, yeah. Everything’s fine.”

Blake’s jaw dropped. “Young Master Reed? What the hell is going on here?”

Robert turned, his eyes narrowing at Blake. “Who are you?”

“I’m Blake Donovan,” he replied, his voice shaky but defiant. “My father is a friend of yours. I was just—”

Robert cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. “I don’t care who you are. You have disrespected Mr. Reed, and that will not be tolerated.”

Blake’s face turned red, his eyes widening in disbelief. “What? You’re joking, right? This guy is nobody!”

Rachel and the other receptionists exchanged nervous glances as Robert’s gaze turned cold. “You’re wrong. Mr. Reed is the brother of CEO Emily Reed, the true owner of the entire commercial district on Lexington Avenue.”

The lobby fell silent. Rachel’s eyes widened in horror as she glanced at Ethan, realizing the gravity of their mistake. “We… we didn’t know…”

Robert’s eyes blazed with anger. “You should have. And you will answer for your disrespect.” He turned to the security guards who had arrived at the commotion. “Escort Mr. Donovan out of the resort. He is no longer welcome here.”

Blake’s face twisted with fury. “You can’t do this! My father—”

“Your father is not the one making decisions here,” Robert said firmly. “Mr. Reed is a valued guest, and I will not allow anyone to disrespect him.”

The security guards stepped forward, and despite Blake’s protests, they escorted him out, his furious voice echoing down the hallway. Rachel and the other receptionists stood frozen, their faces pale.

“Mr. Reed, we’re so sorry,” Rachel stammered, stepping forward. “We didn’t know who you were. Please, forgive us.”

Ethan felt a strange mix of emotions—vindication, disbelief, and awkwardness—as he looked at the group of women who had treated him like dirt just moments ago. “It’s… fine. Just don’t treat people like that in the future.”

Robert, sensing Ethan’s discomfort, cleared his throat. “If you’ll excuse me, Young Master Reed, I’ll go finalize the contract for you. Please, help yourself to the banquet.”

As he left, Ethan sat back down, feeling the stares of the other guests on him. He reached for a plate of food, his appetite strangely absent despite the lavish spread before him.

A few minutes later, Robert returned, a thick document in his hands. “Here it is, Mr. Reed. Just a few signatures, and we’re all set.”

Ethan glanced at the contract, his eyes glazing over at the complex legal language. He signed where Robert indicated, his mind still buzzing with everything that had happened.

“Thank you, Mr. Reed,” Robert said, taking the document. “And now, if you don’t mind, I’ve arranged a tour of some of the properties you now own. It would be good for you to see the scope of your family’s holdings.”

Ethan blinked, feeling overwhelmed. “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

Robert smiled understandingly. “I understand. It’s a lot to take in. But I think it would be helpful. And I’ve asked the receptionists to join us. They would like to apologize in person.”

Before Ethan could respond, Rachel and the other women entered the room, their expressions contrite.

“We’re so sorry, Mr. Reed,” Rachel said, her voice trembling. “We had no idea who you were. Please, forgive us.”

Ethan shifted uncomfortably. “It’s fine. You don’t have to—”

But Rachel stepped closer, her eyes pleading. “Please, let us make it up to you. We… we want to show you our hospitality.”

Ethan frowned, not liking the sudden change in their behavior. “There’s really no need.”

Rachel exchanged a glance with the others, then smiled seductively. “We insist. We have an indoor pool area that’s very private. Maybe we can have a drink and relax?”

Ethan’s eyes widened as he realized what she was suggesting. He stood up abruptly, his heart pounding. “I’m not interested. I just want to get some fresh air.”

The women looked disappointed, but before they could say anything, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Emily’s name. Relief washed over him as he answered.

“Hey, Em.”

“Ethan, how’s everything going?” Emily’s voice was cheerful, but there was an undercurrent of concern.

“It’s… fine. I just signed the contract,” he replied, glancing at the receptionists, who were still watching him intently. “I think I’m going to head out.”

Emily paused, then sighed. “I know it’s a lot to take in, Ethan. But remember, you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me, and I’ll help you every step of the way.”

Ethan smiled, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders. “Thanks, Em. I really appreciate it.”

After ending the call, he turned to Robert. “I think I’ll skip the tour. I need to clear my head.”

Robert nodded, his expression sympathetic. “Of course, Young Master Reed. Take all the time you need.”

Ethan nodded and walked out of the resort, feeling the eyes of the staff on him as he left. The night air was cool and refreshing as he made his way down Lexington Avenue, his mind racing with thoughts.

“I have all this money, all this power,” he muttered to himself. “But it feels like I’m even more lost than before.”

He walked aimlessly, his hands in his pockets, the weight of his new identity pressing down on him. Just as he was about to turn a corner, he heard familiar voices.

“Ethan?” Megan’s voice called out, filled with surprise.

He looked up and saw Megan, Samantha, and their friends standing outside a karaoke bar named “Imperial.” They were laughing and chatting, but their expressions shifted to shock when they saw him.

“Ethan, what are you doing here?” Megan asked, her eyes wide. “You said you were going back to the dorm.”

Ethan shrugged, feeling suddenly self-conscious. “I… I just needed to clear my head.”

Megan raised an eyebrow, pretending to be angry. “You could have come with us. Why lie?”

Ethan chuckled, though the sound was hollow. “I didn’t want to be a downer.”

Samantha, who had been watching him quietly, stepped forward, her expression curious. “You look different, Ethan. Is everything okay?”

Ethan hesitated, the weight of his double life pressing down on him. “Yeah, just… dealing with some stuff.”

Megan crossed her arms, a teasing smile on her lips. “You’re not getting away that easily, mister. Come on, join us. We’re going to sing some terrible songs and drink cheap beer. It’ll be fun.”

Ethan looked at his friends, the people who still saw him as the poor student struggling to make ends meet. Part of him wanted to tell them everything, to reveal his true status and prove that he wasn’t the person they thought he was.

But another part of him held back, afraid of what might happen if they knew the truth. He forced a smile and nodded