Chapter 12
Chapter 12
The morning after covering Kayla’s night shift, Doris nearly overslept. She rushed to the hotel, only to be greeted by a commotion in the lobby. Her younger brother, Rupert, was making a scene, his voice echoing throughout the space.
“Where’s Dori Get her out here. I need to see her he demanded.
A small crowd had already gathered, their curiosity piqued by the outburst.
Lola wasn’t having it. Her tone was sharp as she said, “This is a hotel, not your living room. We’re trying to work here. If you want to make a fuss, take it outside. Otherwise, I’ll call security.
Lola knew a fair bit about Doris’s family dynamics. She particularly disliked how Doris’s parents spoiled Rupert while neglecting Doris, a fact that only deepened her disdain for him.
Doris hurried forward, grabbing Rupert’s arm in an attempt to diffuse the situation. “Rupert, whatever it is, let’s talk outside. okay?
But Rupert wasn’t about to back down. He yanked his arm free, his expression full of contempt. “No. We’ll talk right here. Doris, you’re so selfish.
“Mom wanted to book this hotel for me, thinking you work here and it’d be good to support your business.
“And yet, you had the audacity to convince her to go for some cheap hotel, claiming it was to save money for my wedding.”
He continued, each word dripping with anger, “We’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars–chump change. It’s not even your money, so who do you think you are, making decisions for us? I’ve always been Mom and Dad’s favorite, and you just can’t stand it.
“You’re jealous of the way they treat me. That’s why you don’t want Mom booking Hampstone Hotel. You want to see me humiliated in front of Claudia’s family, don’t you?”
Rupert let out a derisive laugh. “You’re bitter because you got dumped. That’s why you can’t stand anyone else being happy and tried to sabotage my relationship. You vile, spiteful wretch. No wonder Mr. Watson left you. If I were him, I wouldn’t want you either.
Rupert’s tirade flowed with unabashed venom, each word like a dagger aimed straight at Doris’s heart. And yet, under the curious gazes of passersby, Doris stood there, silent and composed, as if the insults weren’t meant for her at all.
Lola, on the other hand, was fuming. She couldn’t stand by and let Rupert tear Doris down like this. She opened her mouth to speak, but Doris quickly caught her arm, and the silent plea in her eyes stopped Lola from doing so.
Doris knew Lola’s fiery temper and her unwavering loyalty as a friend, but this wasn’t the time. As the front desk manager, Lola couldn’t afford to say anything unprofessional in front of guests at work.
If word got back to upper management, it could lead to disciplinary action, Doris couldn’t let her best friend take that risk on her behalf.
But Lola wasn’t one to care about consequences when her best friend was being mistreated. She folded her arms and glared at Rupert, her voice dripping with disdain.
“Rupert, do you even hear yourself? Doris works hard and earns her own living. What about you? All you do is leech off your parents. What exactly are you so proud of?”
She stepped closer. “If you’ve got so much to say, how about paying for the hotel yourself? I might actually respect you then. But using your parents hard–earned money? That’s nothing to brag about.
“Honestly, no woman in her right mind would wanna marry a man like you.”
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Chapter 12
“Who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to butt into our business?” Rupert sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Mom and Dad are willing to spend money on me, so what? None of your damn business.
“Why don’t you mind your own? And anyway, it’s not my fault Doris can’t get them to cough up for her. If they want to give her money, that’s up to them. I wouldn’t care.”
Rupert’s shamelessness was astonishing–what others might find embarrassing, he flaunted with pride. Both Lola and Doris knew better than to waste their breath arguing with someone like him. Reasoning with Rupert was like trying to teach a brick wall how to think.
Utterly insufferable. Lola muttered with a sigh of frustration.
“Rupert, are you done? Doris’s voice cut through the air, ice–cold and steady. “If you’ve got nothing else to say, then piss off.”
Rupert’s eyes flared with indignation. “You’re telling me to piss off? Fine. Just wait. Fll tell Dad, and he’ll deal with you.” He brandished the threat of their father, Jimmy, like a weapon, his tone laced with petty vengeance.
Without missing a beat, Lola turned to the security staff. “Please escort this troublemaker out of the hotel.”
The security team immediately approached Rupert, who, seeing the imminent threat, raised his voice. “I’m here to make a reservation. If you dare kick me out, I’ll file a complaint. And you…
He leaned closer to Lola, squinting at the name tag pinned to her crisp uniform. “Front Desk Manager, Lola Bates, huh? I’ll make sure you regret this.”
“Be my guest, Lola replied with a calm smile, her poise unwavering.
She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his threats. Maintaining a professional demeanor around someone like Rupert was pointless, and Lola knew it. After all, she came from a wealthy family herself. Losing her job would hardly spell disaster–at worst, she’d fall back on her inheritance.
Rupert’s attempt at intimidation fizzled, leaving him visibly deflated. Still, he wasn’t about to let it go. “Fine. Just you wait. Where’s your manager? I’m filing a formal complaint. Ill make sure they know how rude you were, how you humiliated me with that arrogant attitude…
Lola didn’t bother responding, her expression blank as she watched him rant like a clown.
Finally, Doris had had enough. “Come with me. Her voice was firm, her patience hanging by a thread. She grabbed Rupert’s arm and practically dragged him out of the hotel, her grip as unyielding as her resolve.
It wasn’t until they’d reached a quieter spot outside that she let go, stepping back with a deliberate exhale.
Rupert slapped her hand and yanked his arm free, glaring at her. “Don’t touch me.
Ignoring the sting spreading across her hand, Doris warned, “Rupert, you can stir up whatever drama you want between us, but if you even think about targeting my coworkers or my friends. I promise I’ll make you regret it.”
Rupert snorted, his face twisting into an arrogant sneer, “Oh, really? You’re going to make me regret it? Worry about yourself first. You’re the one who got kicked out of the house for disobeying Mom and Dad. And now you have the nerve to lecture
me?”
He stood there, puffed up with the entitlement their parents had fed him for years, the weight of their favoritism shielding him from any sense of accountability though he had spent years bullying Doris.
Rupert’s tone was dripping with arrogance as he ordered, “Doris, if you ever want to come back to our family, you’ll do exactly as I say.
“Book a few tables at your hotel, reserve ten rooms, and cover all the expenses for the alcohol, cigarettes, and beverages. yourself. If you listen, I might consider putting in a good word for you with Dad. He only listens to me anyway.
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Chapter 12
Ca
He cried, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper, But if you refuse I’ll make sure Ezad punishes you and makes you
The song confidence on his face made Doric’s iromachi chiarn. He genuinely believed he had her backed into a corner.
“Rupert, are you out of your damn mind? Or just plain stupid Doris shot back, her tone laced with ley disdain. She had no intention of playing the fool and letting herself be taken for a sucker.
Rupert’s composune cracked. His face darkened with rage as he spat, “You think you’re so tough huh? You’re the one who’s messed up this family’s reputation, dragging us down like the useless dead weight you are. Why don’t you just kill yourself?”
With that, he raised his hand, aiming to slap Doris across the face.
Before his hand could connect, a shadow loomed over them, and Doris felt a rush of air as someone intervened. A strong hand caught Rupert’s wrist mid–swing and twisted it sharply behind his back, locking it in place.
Rupert froze, a pained gasp escaping his lips as his arm was pinned so forcefully he couldn’t budge. “Who are you?” Rupert managed through gritted teeth, his face contorted in pain as he craned his neck to look at the man restraining him.
Doris’s eyes widened in shock and relief as she saw Lewis standing there, calm but radiating an aura of quiet menace. For a fleeting moment, be looked almost otherworldly–like a guardian angel descending to rescue her from this nightmare.
“Apologize,” Lewis demanded, his voice low and unyielding, the sharp edge of command unmistakable.
“Apologize? For what? I don’t owe her anything,” Rupert growled, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his discomfort. Tm calling the cops.
“Go ahead. Lewis said, his tone cool and almost taunting. “Let’s see if the cops arrest me… or you.” His grip tightened, cliciting an audible crack from Rupert’s wrist.
Rupert’s cry of agony rang out,
w and unrestrained. Doris, standing nearby, couldn’t help but feel a small spark of satisfaction flicker in her chest. Watching Rupert writhe and scream, she thought, Serves him right.
“Apologize,” Lewis ordered, his tone slow and deliberate, each syllable sharpened by his barely contained fury.
Rupert’s face twisted in pain, his wrist feeling like it might snap any second. Beads of cold sweat gathered on his forehead and trickled down his neck as panic flashed across his features.
“…I’m sorry,” Rupert stammered, the words spilling out in a frantic attempt to relieve the crushing grip on his arm.
Lewis wasn’t impressed. His gloomy eyes glinted with menace as he leaned closer, his voice dropping a dangerous octave. “To whom are you apologizing? Try again.”
Rupert flinched at the command and followed Lewis’s pointed gaze to Doris, who stood silently, her expression as cold and sharp as a winter wind.
Resentment bubbled under Rupert’s skin, but he knew he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly muttered. “Doris… I’m sorry. I was wrong
Doris didn’t speak. She simply stared at him, her icy demeanor enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine.
She knew full well that Rupert didn’t actually think he was in the wrong.
The only reason he was backing down was because the situation wasn’t in his favor. He didn’t stand a chance against Lewis and had no choice but to temporarily swallow his pride.
Lewis, however, wasn’t one to let things slide. His voice, laced with quiet threat, cut through the tension like a blade. “If I ever see you picking on Doris again, you’ll lose more than just your dignity–you’ll lose that arm of yours.”
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Chapter 12
“Alright. Lunderstand” Rupert nodded rapidly, his voice trembling as he scrambled to agree
Only then did Lewis release him, the force of his grip leaving Rupert stumbling back a few steps. Lewis’s voice cracked like a whip. “Now get lost.”
Rupert didn’t need to be told twice. He staggered backward, his fear evident in every awkward step he took to put distane between himself and Lewis. Once he was far enough away, his cowardly bravado returned
“Doris, don’t think having a man protect you makes you special. Mom and Dad will take my side and you’ll regret this Unless you plan to stay away from home forever,” he spat, his parting words dripping with venom before he turned tail and bolted.
His retreat was nothing short of pathetic–his threats hollow and his ego bruised. Doris watched him fee with a cold. detached gaze, her shoulders relaxing just slightly as his figure disappeared.
She then turned her attention to Lewis. “Why are you here?” she asked.
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