Chapter 4 - The Revelation
"Ethan?" Arthur breathed, his voice filled with shock and immediate reverence. He looked at the sleeping child. "Oh my god, Lily is so big now. Ethan, why didn't you tell us you were arriving tonight? We would have had the private transport waiting at the tarmac!"
The entire lobby went dead silent.
Marcus Sterling froze, his hand still extended in mid-air. Patricia dropped her pen. Karla’s knees visibly shook.
"What... Mr. Pendelton?" Marcus stammered, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead. "You... you know this man?"
Arthur turned to Marcus, his expression turning to pure steel. "Know him? Marcus, have you lost your mind? This is Ethan Vance. Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the Vance Group. He owns this hotel. He owns the ground you are standing on. He owns the chair you sit in."
A collective gasp echoed through the lobby.
Marcus felt the world spinning. He looked at the worn leather jacket, the dead tablet, the battered roses. This was the reclusive billionaire? The man who had revolutionized the luxury hospitality industry?
"M-Mr. Vance..." Marcus chokes out, his face turning a sickly shade of green. "I... I had no idea. Please understand, we were just trying to protect the security of the hotel—"
Ethan raised a single hand, and Marcus immediately went silent. Lily stirred slightly against Ethan's shoulder, rubbing her eyes. The bright lobby lights were waking her up.
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"Daddy?" Lily whispered, her voice tiny and sweet. "Are we home yet?"
"Almost, sweetheart," Ethan murmured softly, his tone completely shifting as he looked at his daughter. "Daddy just has to take out the trash first."
