Chapter 2: The Founder Returns
Chapter 2: The Founder Returns
Silence swept across the grand hotel lobby.
The crystal chandelier still sparkled above them, but no one dared to speak.
The receptionist stared at the badge in disbelief. His face turned pale as he carefully stepped out from behind the marble desk.
"Where... where did you get this?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The bruised woman slowly climbed to her feet despite the pain coursing through her body. She brushed the dust from her torn jacket and looked him straight in the eye.
"I didn't get it," she replied quietly.
"I was born with it."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
The woman in white forced out a laugh.
"Oh, please. Anyone could fake a badge."
The receptionist swallowed hard.
"No, ma'am."
He pointed to the eagle emblem engraved in gold.
"Each Founder Badge contains a private security chip. There are only three in existence, and they're registered directly to the Soulmore founding family."
His hands shook as he scanned the badge.
A green light flashed.
ACCESS VERIFIED.
Founder Authorization Confirmed.
The entire lobby froze.
The receptionist immediately bowed his head.
"Welcome home, Ms. Harper."
The woman in white felt the blood drain from her face.
"That's impossible."
She had spent years telling everyone that she practically owned the resort.
May you like
But the woman she had just dragged across the marble floor...
...was the true owner.
