In the elevator, as both parties rode it down, there was an awkward silence in the tight air. The tangible awkwardness intensified every time the manager failed to cautiously look at Alex without him reciprocating, and whenever he did catch her looking, she would instantly avert her gaze from his. They were at this for over a minute until Alex broke the social tension by speaking.Pursing his lips thoughtfully, he carefully thought of what he would ask her. It struck him. “So... I am guessing you have been sewing wears for my family for a very long time, huh?”Truthfully, Alex found it odd that the person Kate had told him about. The person who she said had been in charge of creating outfits for the Lord's family for more than three decades looked like she was in her late thirties. The math was not adding up in his head.She inclined her head. “Well... hmm. Actually, Mr. Lord, I am not the one who sews the clothes. That would be Madam Hubo. She solely is the one in charge of making an
Alex rose from his chair. “I am so sorry for going through your things,” he cooed as he waddled his way from the chair to her, stretching his hands out for a handshake. “I am Alexander Lord. Pleased to meet you.”Madam Catherine picked up her locket, beheld him for a second, totally ignored his handshake, and made her way over to her desk. “So, you are the dunderhead that sold our collection for a cheap thrift shop outfit.” She reprimanded and lift a brow. “Wait! Did you just say sorry?” She laughed. “That's a first.”“Hmm, I apologize for that as well. I wasn't aware that the outfit cost thirty million dollars,” he expressed remorse, feeling regretful for his actions. Despite his humility, he was surprised that someone supposedly working for them had ignored his greeting. Only another Lord could behave in such a manner. She has to truly be a Lord, right?Alex observed her intently and, while he did, he couldn't help but marvel at the entire style she had on. Although she was aged, s
Alex was pensive. Initially, he contemplated asking if Madam Catherine's sister held the title of a Lord. However, he swiftly realized the question was foolish because if her twin sister was a Lord and Madam Catherine wasn't, it logically implied that her sister wasn't a Lord after all. But, what if she acquired the title through association or marriage to a genuine Lord? So many questions swirled in Alex's mind.“How did your sister acquire the badge then?” he inquired, eager to trace the matter to its origin. However, Madam Catherine raised her fingers and wagged them dismissively, a clear indication that she had no intention of divulging the information.“Your opportunities are exhausted, Mr. Lord. Remember, three chances?” she reminded, prompting Alex to grit his teeth. He was thoroughly fed up with people obstructing his quest for the truth about his family. Now, he was determined not to be deterred; he had a multitude of questions, and his curiosity demanded satisfaction.Alex s
Exiting the elevator, Alex made his way out of the store. Before leaving however, he ensured he bought standard-looking clothes to avoid verbal harassment for appearing out of place at where he was heading to. Unsurprisingly, as he brought his outfit and changed, the attendant treated him with utmost respect, and made sure to answer whatever question he threw at her. While assisting him, she would often gazed at him with expectant eyes, hoping he would honor his earlier promise to pay her annual salary. But, he chose not to—not due to forgetting, but to make her aware that her arrogance had cost her a life-changing opportunity. And when he had finally choose the outfit he wanted. He donned the button-down shirt in a muted color, tailored chinos, and Oxford shoes, he made his way out.Now desperate, the attendant attempted to ask for a picture, hoping to sell it for a few bucks. But Alex declined with a single hand gesture, took his tuxedo, and exited the store. After he was almost ou
“How did you know about that room?” she asked, but before Alex could get a word in, she continued, "Sorry, sir, but the nebula is a private suite available only for the owners. You would have to book another room.”Alex folded his arms. “Well, I am one of the owners, so I should be taking the suite,” he stated boldly, and the receptionist shot him a skeptical look. He noticed the way she eyed him, so he rolled his eyes, knowing what was probably going on in her mind right now.“If you are truly one of the owners, I would like to see identification proving that,” she voiced, and Alex let out an exasperated sigh. He was sincerely tired of having to explain himself or go to any extra mile to prove he should be in certain places. And although earlier, he had his fun and got well entertained when the people at the clothes shop knew who he was. Now, he was beyond famished and exhausted, just yearning for easy access to his suite so he could eat something and rest for the life-changing cere
As substantial bolts of electricity surged through Alex faster than he could blink, his fingers recoiled from the manager's shirt, and he collapsed to the floor. Surprisingly, the taser didn't render him unconscious as it would for most people, but the shock did make him feel as if his heart had skipped a beat, and he couldn't feel most of his muscles.Mouthing a guttural grunt and clutching his aching arm, a painful reaction to the countless injuries. His mind flooded with memories of Darren's brutal torture. He shrugged and shook his head fervently, attempting to banish the haunting thoughts. Onlookers perceived his actions as a sign of madness, unaware that he was struggling to regain his composure. After partially succeeding, he prepared to stand and seek retribution against the manager, only to discover himself constrained by the security personnel. “You're a strong one,” remarked one of the security men, visibly impressed, as they both properly restrained him with their arms. H
Sugar pressed the elevator button, and it chimed open. Stepping in with a single stride, he was closely followed by Alex, and soon the doors closed behind the duo. Inside, Sugar didn't specify the floor they would be heading to; he just stood rigid as if awaiting something. Alex, who found the situation unconventional, parted his lips to speak, but Sugar quickly silenced him with a hand gesture.Alex didn't press further and simply waited for whatever he was referring to do. In the endless seconds of silence, a sudden shrill reverberated in the elevator, startling Alex. It was followed by a robotic prompt requiring their identity. Sugar turned to him and explained the purpose of the voice and why it was specially made for a Lord. After calling his name, Sugar registered Alex's name.After completing the registration, the bald Italian explained additional practical reasons behind the creation of the special artificial intelligence in the hotel. He informed Alex that once any Lord regis
Changing the topic and wondering why they hadn't reached their destination yet—recalling they were headed for the top floor of a two-hundred-floor skyscraper—Alex inquired about what had been bothering him since he left Madam Catherine's office. What happened to her sister and why she own a Lord's badge despite not being one. But before delving straight into the most pressing question, Alex began with a less direct approach.“Did you happen to see Madam Catherine when you arrived at the shop?" Alex inquired, and Sugar promptly replied, “No,” though he cast a glance in a manner that seemed like he was foreshodowing what he was about to say next. “Does the reason behind the sewing shop's tedious hidden location have anything to do with madam Catherine death?” He tried killing two bird with one stone with his question, but on hearing his query, something dark ran through sugar's face, so dark Alex almost missed it. “Did she tell you anything?” With a low voice Sugar asked, and Alex told