Chapter 1: The Badge That Silenced the Lobby
Chapter 1: The Badge That Silenced the Lobby
The marble lobby fell into absolute silence.
Every pair of eyes locked onto the weathered badge in the bruised woman's trembling hand.
The polished silver eagle caught the light beneath the crystal chandelier.
The receptionist's face drained of color.
He stepped away from behind the desk, his voice suddenly careful.
"...Where did you get that?"
The woman slowly raised her head despite the blood on her cheek.
"I didn't get it."
She swallowed.
"It belongs to me."
A nervous laugh escaped the Woman in White.
"Oh, please."
She folded her arms.
"You expect anyone here to believe that?"
The receptionist ignored her.
Instead, he carefully approached the woman on the floor.
His eyes focused on the engraving beneath the eagle.
VIP FOUNDER
Founding Family Access
Number 001
His breathing stopped.
"No..."
He looked back and forth between the badge and the woman.
"I've only seen this once."
The guests exchanged confused whispers.
"What is it?"
"What's happening?"
The receptionist straightened immediately.
"Everyone..."
His voice echoed across the enormous lobby.
"That badge belongs to the Soulmore founding family."
A wave of shock swept through the crowd.
The Woman in White's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"It can't."
The receptionist nodded slowly.
"There are only three Founder badges in existence."
"They were issued personally by the resort's original owner."
"No employee—not even the executive board—has authority over someone carrying Badge Number One."
The Woman in White suddenly pointed at the bruised woman.
"She's lying!"
"Look at her!"
"She's filthy!"
"She's obviously homeless!"
The bruised woman slowly climbed to one knee.
Her breathing was uneven, but her eyes never left the woman who had dragged her across the floor.
Then she spoke calmly.
"Then tell her..."
She looked directly at the receptionist.
"...whose resort she just dragged across the marble floor."
The receptionist lowered his head.
His voice became almost a whisper.
"Yes... Ms. Evelyn Carter."
Gasps filled the lobby.
The name spread from guest to guest like wildfire.
"The founder's daughter?"
"I thought she disappeared years ago."
"No wonder..."
May you like
For the first time that afternoon...
The Woman in White looked afraid.
