Jessica let out a sharp laugh. "I just hadn't thought it through yet. Oh, so the two of you get to stay in a five-star hotel while I stay at your house and clean up after you? Am I your mother or your maid? I'm getting old, my health isn't what it used to be after raising you, and you should be honoring me. Instead, you try to trick me into being your servant? What kind of daughter does that?"
Jessica's voice got louder and louder. Laoise just kept nodding and agreeing to soothe her. Even though none of it was true, Laoise would have admitted to anything just to shut her mother up.
Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious ringtone filled the elevator. Laoise jumped, immediately flushing with embarrassment.
It was Jessica's phone.
The moment Jessica picked up the phone, her face lit up with a radiant smile. "Son," she cooed into the receiver. "Yes, yes, don't touch that broken thing. Wait for me to come home and fix it. You absolutely must not try it yourself. Don't go getting hurt now."
Laoise couldn't help but mutter under her breath. "Fergal is the same age as me. He's nearly thirty, not three. Do you really have to coddle him like that?"
Jessica answered without a second thought. "Your brother is the treasure of this family. It's not just me. You and your sisters should all be spoiling him. It's only right for the Douglas family."
Laoise struggled to keep from rolling her eyes. She was too frustrated to care about the two strangers standing behind them. After all, they were just passing acquaintances she would likely never see again.
She shot back at Jessica. "He was born three minutes before me, Mother."
Jessica countered her instantly. "He is the golden child. Even if he was born three minutes early, we decided you would be the older sister, and he would be the younger brother, so you could look after him. Why are you grumbling? Besides, you're the most successful one of the lot. You have the means now. Shouldn't you take better care of your brother? Blood is thicker than water, Laoise. He's your own flesh and blood. You can't be so cold to him."
Laoise gave up. "Fine, fine," she sighed. She realized once again that she could never win an argument against her mother's rigid logic and even harsher words.
The elevator reached their floor with a chime, and the doors slid open. Laoise grabbed the suitcase and led Jessica out.
As the doors closed behind them, Barret turned to his boss, Arthur Hightower. He saw a look of icy disdain in Arthur's eyes.
"Mr. Hightower," he asked tentatively. "Why didn't you let me tell them that this is the private VIP elevator for the penthouse guests?"
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly, masking the sharp coldness in his gaze. A faint, mocking smile played on his lips. "That woman is clearly unreasonable. If you had said something, she would have argued with you for ten minutes. She might not care about losing face, but I care about losing time."
The assistant shook his head and sighed. "I've never seen someone so eccentric in a luxury hotel. Listening to them talk about their family affairs was truly shocking."
The elevator reached the top floor. Before stepping out, Arthur gave Barret a cold instruction. "Go down and tell the receptionist to explain things more clearly during check-in. They need to make sure guests understand exactly what a private VIP elevator means."
Barret hurried after him. "Of course, sir."
—
By the time Laoise brought her mother into the room, Percy was already dressed in his suit, fastening his tie. When he saw Jessica, his expression remained calm as he greeted her. "Mother."
Jessica beamed the moment she saw her son-in-law and began showering him with praise. She gushed about how handsome and successful he was, and most importantly, how he cherished his wife and respected his elders. She went on and on without pause.
Percy simply smiled, saying nothing. Once his tie was straight, he picked up his briefcase and headed for the elevator. A wave of helplessness and regret surged within him. He detested his mother-in-law's ways, yet he never dared to say it to her face. He wondered if he was being a hypocrite, quietly enabling her behavior.
Laoise's voice called out from behind. She hurried to see him off.
The two stood waiting in the elevator lobby. The lifts were busy moving between floors, and none stopped at their level immediately. However, one lift sat empty: the same one Laoise and Jessica had just used.
"Why don't you call that one?" Laoise asked Percy. "It's right there."
Percy looked at her and gestured with his chin. "Go ahead and try."
Laoise stepped forward and pressed the button. She tried several times, but the down button wouldn't light up. She looked back at Percy with a puzzled smile. "Why is it broken all of a sudden?"
"It isn't broken," Percy told her. "But it is strictly for the use of the VIP guests in the two Presidential Suites on the top floor."
Laoise froze. The elevator Jessica had insisted on taking was a private VIP lift. No wonder the man inside had looked at them with such cold contempt. She didn't want to think about it anymore. She was afraid the shame would swallow her whole.
"Honey, I'll head home soon to pack your things for your trip," Laoise managed to say before the elevator doors closed, just as Arthur and his assistant happened to walk by.
After seeing Percy off, Laoise hurried back to the room and ordered food online. Once Jessica finished her breakfast, Laoise explained she had to go home to pack for Percy's business trip that afternoon.
Jessica grabbed her arm. "Wallet, wait. I forgot to tell you something."
Laoise stared at her mother until Jessica corrected herself. "Laoise. There."
She stood up and pulled Laoise closer. "I forgot to tell your husband earlier. Your eldest sister and her husband have been at his travel agency for a year now and haven't had a raise. Mention it to him later. Get them a little extra. Only a fool doesn't look out for their own family."
Laoise was so angry she almost laughed. "When has Percy not looked out for the family. It was hard enough for him to find spots for them in the company. That was already a huge favor. And now you want constant raises. They need to actually work hard, not just lounge around all day. Besides, Percy doesn't own the agency. He's an employee just like everyone else. Do you think he's a money printing machine?"