Ethan followed the hotel assistant down a quiet hallway off the main lobby.
Thick carpet. Soft lighting. The noise of the lobby faded behind them.
Behind Ethan, someone chuckled.
"So you really applied for it," his ex-brother-in-law said, voice full of amusement. "I thought you were just pretending earlier."
Ethan didn't respond.
The man kept walking behind them, hands in his pockets, clearly enjoying himself.
"I'm honestly impressed," he continued. "Most people like you would've crawled out by now. But you? You came back."
He laughed softly.
"Let me guess. You're hoping they'll give you a job, right? Maybe housekeeping? Or are you trying to clean rooms to pay off the application fee?"
Ethan's steps didn't slow.
The hotel assistant glanced back once, frowning slightly, but said nothing.
The man leaned closer as they walked.
"You know," he said casually, "I should tell Lena about this. She'll love it. Her ex-husband pretending to be rich."
They reached a small private lounge.
Leather chairs. A glass table. Quiet. Refined.
"Please wait here, Mr. Ethan," the assistant said respectfully. "We'll finalize everything shortly."
Ethan nodded and stood calmly.
The man scoffed.
"Wow," he said, looking around. "They're really letting you in here?"
He crossed his arms and smirked.
"You know this is embarrassing, right? Walking around like you belong. Acting like you didn't just get kicked out of your wife's life."
Ethan finally spoke.
Softly.
"I didn't ask you to follow me."
The man laughed louder. "You don't have to. This is too funny to miss."
Another hotel staff member entered the lounge, holding a sleek black case.
"Mr. Ethan," he said clearly.
The room seemed to still.
"Yes?" Ethan replied.
"We apologize for the wait," the assistant continued. "Your highest-tier membership has been fully approved."
He opened the case.
Inside was a matte black card edged with gold.
"Welcome," the assistant said, "to Aurelius Grand Hotel."
The name hung in the air.
The assistant continued, voice professional and steady.
"As a top-tier member, you now have unrestricted access to our presidential suites, private lounges, exclusive dining services, priority reservations, and personal staff available at your command, twenty-four hours a day."
Silence.
The ex-brother-in-law's smile slowly faded.
"…What?" he said.
The assistant turned slightly toward Ethan.
"Your assigned suite is ready. Any request you make will be handled immediately."
The man shook his head in disbelief.
"No, no," he said, pointing at Ethan. "This has to be a mistake. Do you even know who this guy is? He's broke. He couldn't even take care of my sister."
He turned to Ethan sharply.
"Where did you get the money?" he demanded. "Did you steal it?"
Ethan smiled.
It was small.
Calm.
For the first time, not defensive.
Not angry.
Just amused.
He looked at the assistant and spoke evenly.
"My first order," Ethan said, "is to have this man removed."
The room went quiet.
"He's disturbing my peace," Ethan continued. "And if he stays anywhere near me, you'll lose me as a customer."
The assistant didn't hesitate.
"Yes, sir."
Two security guards appeared almost instantly.
The ex-brother-in-law's face twisted in shock.
"Hey!!" he snapped. "What the hell is this?"
He grabbed Ethan's collar suddenly.
"Who do you think you are?"
Before he could finish, the guards seized him.
"Let go of me!" he shouted. "Do you know who I am?! Ethan! ETHAN!"
His voice echoed as he was dragged away.
People turned.
Whispers spread.
Ethan didn't move.
He watched calmly as the man who had mocked him for years was pulled out like trash.
For the first time,
Someone else was powerless.
The assistant returned and gestured politely.
"Please follow me, Mr. Ethan."
Ethan adjusted his jacket and stepped forward.
As they walked, the assistant spoke.
"Welcome to Obsidian Grand Hotel," she said. "A place of relaxation, influence, and connection… among the truly wealthy."
Ethan's lips curved slightly.
Inside his mind, a notification flashed.
[MISSION PROGRESS UPDATED]
He didn't need to look.
He already knew.