Chapter 3 - The Purge of the Bellandi
Hale fell to his knees on the Persian rug, the black titanium card slipping through his trembling fingers. The two security guards immediately snapped to attention, saluting Luca with wide, terrified eyes.
"M-Mr. Bellandi..." Hale squeaked, tears of terror welling in his eyes. "I... I had no idea! The system didn't show a photo! The coat—the bag—I thought—"
"You thought poverty gave you the right to be cruel," Luca cut him off without raising his voice. "You mistook simplicity for weakness."
Luca turned to Arthur, the old doorman who was still standing by the doorway with wide eyes.
"Arthur," Luca commanded.
"Yes, Mr. Bellandi!" Arthur stood as straight as his elderly back would allow.
"As of this second, Richard Hale is stripped of his title, his salary, and his access to any Bellandi property worldwide," Luca said smoothly. "Call corporate legal. Have them audit every contract Hale signed over the last three years. If he stole so much as a paperclip, put him in prison."
"Right away, sir!" Arthur said, a triumphant grin breaking across his wrinkled face.
"Wait! Please! Mr. Bellandi, give me a second chance!" Hale wailed, grabbing at Luca’s trouser leg.
Luca didn't even look down. He motioned to the security guards. "Escort Mr. Hale off the property. Leave his personal belongings in the alley out back. Let him see how cold the city is tonight."
The guards dragged the sobbing former manager out of the library, shutting the heavy mahogany doors behind them.
Silence descended upon the room once more, broken only by the crackle of the wood fire and the quiet breathing of little Sofia.
Clara stood in the center of the room, her hands folded over her apron, feeling overwhelmed. She had spent five years being overlooked, underpaid, and made fun of by women like Hale's assistants because of her weight and her quiet nature. Now, the absolute ruler of the city was standing three feet away from her.
Luca turned to Clara, his expression softening instantly.
"I apologize for the drama, Miss Clara," he said gently. "My life is rarely quiet."
"I... I should get back to my cart, Mr. Bellandi," Clara whispered, nervously taking a step back. "I have six suites to clean before my shift ends."
May you like
Luca smiled—a genuine, dazzling smile that made Clara's heart perform an unexpected flip.
"You won't be cleaning any more suites tonight, Clara," Luca said. "In fact, you're never cleaning another room in this hotel again."
