The next morning, chaos broke out like wildfire. The Titan Tower Hotel, one of the most prestigious five-star hotels in the world, a place that had carried its golden reputation for decades and was known for its flawless service and unshakable prestige was now at the center of every broadcast, every gossip show, every headline across the country and for the first time, it was for all the wrong reasons.
All because of one man. Ethan Darksire.
He had gone live the previous night, claiming he was humiliated, mistreated and disrespected at the Titan Hotel, rating it a shameful zero. Wearing that same victimized expression that had once melted the world's heart four years ago, he played his role perfectly.
And, of course, his fans rallied behind him because he was Ethan Darksire, the world's most adored man.
By morning, half the world had seen it and the other half was still replaying it.
"How could they treat Ethan Darksire like that?"
"The Saint of the Ring? Impossible!"
Andrea was already in the most fucked-up type of mood. Waking up tired and also waking up to the most shitty thing a person could possibly do.. Her company's group chat was flooded with messages when she woke up, At first she thought maybe there was a fire at the Hotel only to see it was all about his bomboclat ex-fiancée she had known for six years.
She wasn't even surprised. Of course he did this. Of course he knew exactly what he was doing. No one in this world played the victim card better than Ethan.
She shut off her phone and threw it aside, pressing her hands over her face. He was pulling the same trick he pulled on her years ago. The same trick that ruined her, stripped her title and destroyed her name.
She cursed under her breath and shot up.. Shaking her head, she rushed to the washroom to throw on her work face, then headed straight to her car.
She knew there was going to be a board meeting today about Ethan's scandal. And she was already exhausted by it.
**
A black car rolled to a stop in front of the towering Titan Tower Hotel.
From it stepped Mr Victor Harrison Pierce, younger brother of the late Leonard Kane Pierce. He straightened his suit jacket as his sharp gaze locked on the building's golden logo. He didn't return a single greeting as he marched through the lobby. He looked like a man on a mission…one who couldn't afford distractions.
After minutes of brisk walking, the elevator doors opened to the top floor.
He strode down the quiet corridor and stopped before a grand door that slid open automatically.
The office inside was enormous, one that was large enough to fit three king-sized beds. A massive table stood in the center, and behind it sat Sebastian Pierce, eyes fixed on his laptop, unfazed by his uncle's arrival.
Mr Victor walked further inside and without warning, slammed his palm on the desk. The sound echoed through the room. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" he barked. "That man's video is everywhere! Do you even know how much the hotel's stocks dropped overnight?"
Sebastian didn't even look up…."Are we supposed to wipe the tears of a grown man?" he said coolly. "If one man's tantrum can crash our value, then maybe we need to do better."
He stood up and circled the desk and tapped on the digital screen on the wall. Several analytics and system dashboards appeared none of which had anything to do with what his uncle was shouting about.
Victor's voice rose again "Haven't you seen the news? Haven't you seen how they're talking about us? You resumed work barely seventy-two hours ago and you've already tainted what this family spent decades building…what your father managed to make indestructible!"
"Talk is talk, Uncle. Let them say whatever they want," Sebastian said, his back still facing him.
Uncle Victor froze for a moment. That tone… that same cold, unbothered tone his brother used to silence boardrooms. The strong front he brought in crumbled a little. Then he softened….he always softened when it came to his nephew.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"When are you going to get married, Sebastian? You know how important this is. You know how it will affect the next election… the legacy in this bloodline.You need stability. A wife gives image and trust"
Sebastian's eyes, which had been moving across the screen, stopped. He slowly turned back to face his uncle.
Uncle Victor searched his face. "Don't make this difficult. And don't make me regret not taking the CEO seat myself after your father….my brother…died. I stepped back for you."
For the first time since he entered , something sharp flickered in Sebastian's calm.
There was a knock. A soft one. Neither of them heard it.
Then the door pushed open.
Andrea stepped halfway inside then froze as she had walked into a battlefield.
"Oh my God….I'm so… I'm so sorry," she stuttered, clutching her files. "I knocked twice. I didn't think anyone was in here."
Uncle Victor raised a hand immediately. "It's okay, Ms Moon. Come in."
She walked forward nervously, her head slightly lowered, eyes peeking at the tall man beside him…the same man who had walked in yesterday at the worst possible moment.
Sebastian turned fully to face her, his gaze sliding over her shaky hands, the way she tried to straighten herself, the tension she couldn't hide.
"Is this how you usually work here?" he asked. "You seem… burdened."
Uncle Victor let out a small chuckle. "Sebastian, stop intimidating the staff."
Then he turned to her…."Ms Moon, meet the new CEO and sole heir of Titan Hotel. He's taking charge from now onwards."
Andrea's eyes widened. Her heart just dropped.
The new CEO?
The same man who saw her embarrass herself yesterday with Ethan right there?
She forced a stiff nod, trying to be on his good side before he decided she was too dramatic to keep.
Uncle Victor placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from bowing for the 8th time.
"Ms Moon, from now onwards, any files concerning the company go to Office VII. Or Office XII. Understood?"
She nodded again while still in shock.
Uncle Victor started to walk out but stopped, turning back to her.
"Come with me. We need to work on an apology for Ethan Darksire."
Andrea blinked. She hadn't even processed the first shock. Now she had to write an apology letter for someone who owed her the biggest apology on earth. Her mind went completely blank.
She just stood there, completely stuck , until Sebastian cleared his throat. That sharp sound dragged her back and suddenly she felt like she was standing in a lion's den. She jerked herself out of the office fast, almost tripping, rushing after Uncle Victor who was already halfway down the hall, heading for the elevator.
"Mr Harrison..Sir.." she called out, even though she had no words prepared, nothing to actually say. Her voice just came out in panic.
He stopped and turned slightly. "Yes, Ms Moon? It should be done in the next twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes…" Andrea repeated under her breath. Her lips barely moved.
The rest of her words just died inside her throat.
How was she supposed to explain anything? How was she supposed to tell him that Ethan was basically a shithead? Ethan was a walking disaster and does not deserve one single line of apology.
But she couldn't say any of that…..She couldn't even breathe that out.
She couldn't risk any hint of connection leading back to her.
"Okay, sir… okay," she said quietly, even though her stomach was fully sinking.