Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary on the Forty-First Floor
Marcus did not confront Julian Sterling immediately. Sophie’s health and comfort were his only priorities. He carried her up the private elevator to the penthouse level, Eleanor following silently with their bags.
When the doors to the Presidential Suite opened, Marcus found exactly what he expected: the sweet, heavy scent of expensive cigars and the sound of laughter. Inside the living area, three executives from the medical gala were lounging around the mahogany bar, drinking his private reserve scotch.
"Hey! Who authorized this?" a wealthy, heavy-set man shouted, standing up from a leather armchair. "We paid Sterling for total privacy tonight!"
Marcus didn't raise his voice. He walked past them, entered the master bedroom, and laid Sophie gently onto the king-sized bed. He tucked her stuffed bear beneath her arm and pulled the heavy comforter over her shoulders. She sighed, her small face relaxing as she finally sunk into a safe, warm bed.
He closed the bedroom door softly, then turned back to the living room. The executives were standing by the bar, looking annoyed.
"You have exactly five minutes to gather your things and leave this suite," Marcus said, his voice dripping with an authority that made the men instantly uneasy.
"Do you know who I am?" the heavy-set man threatened. "I am Dr. Harrison, the chief keynote speaker downstairs. I’ll have Julian Sterling fire you before the sun comes up."
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"I am Marcus Whitfield," Marcus said, stepping into the light, his worn leather jacket contrasting sharply with the opulent gold leaf on the walls. "I own this hotel, I own the company that employs Julian Sterling, and if you are not out of my room in four minutes, I will cancel your company's conference contract and have your entire board escorted into the street by city police."
The executives looked at Eleanor, who simply nodded once, her face grim. Within two minutes, the room was empty, the door slamming shut behind them.
