Tyler arrived at the Trafford Hotel on his electric bike the next morning, his mind focused on the task ahead. He walked into the lobby, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. But what he didn't expect was to run into Nora, his old classmate from Orange County University.
Nora was standing behind the front desk, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't Tyler, the failure."
Tyler's eyes narrowed. "Nora, what are you doing here?"
"I work here, Tyler," Nora replied, her tone condescending. "I'm a supervisor. And you're just a...whatever it is you do."
Tyler's jaw clenched. "I'm here to see Oliver and Ryder. They're lodged in room 314."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean the two men who are actually important? I don't think so, Tyler. You're not cleared to see them."
Tyler's anger flared. "Nora, my private life is none of your business."
But Nora just laughed. "You're not even a real businessman, Tyler. You're just a wannabe who can't even afford a real car. That electric bike of yours is a joke."
Tyler's hands clenched into fists. "That's enough, Nora. Move aside."
But Nora just stood her ground, her eyes flashing with contempt. "No, Tyler. I won't let you in. You're not worthy of being in the same room as Oliver and Ryder."
Tyler's face twisted in anger, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose his cool. Not now. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Nora, please. This is important."
But Nora just shook her head. "No, Tyler. You're not important. And you never will be."
Tyler's face burned with anger as Nora's insults continued to flow. He'd had enough. He pulled out his phone and dialed Jenkins' number, his eyes never leaving Nora's smug face.
"Jenkins, it's Tyler. I'm at the Trafford Hotel and I'm having some issues getting in to see Oliver and Ryder," Tyler said, his voice tight with anger.
"What's the problem, sir?" Jenkins asked, his voice calm and professional.
"It's Nora, the supervisor here. She's refusing to let me in and she's being extremely...difficult," Tyler replied, his jaw clenched.
Jenkins chuckled. "What! A mere supervisor dares to make things difficult for you sir?. But nevermind sir,i have an important news which I didn't tell you a long time ago when we recently met again sir.You see, the Trafford Hotel belongs to the Wales family. Which means, indirectly, Nora works for you."
Tyler's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"
"Yes, sir. You're the young master of the Wales family. And I'm afraid Nora has forgotten her place, every city or district in the country has a Steward who handles everything in that area on behalf of the Wales family" Jenkins said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Tyler's anger turned to outrage. "Send the Steward assigned by the Wales family in orange county to meet me here immediately," Tyler demanded.
"Right away, sir. His name is Mr Isaac Thompson. He'll be there in five minutes. And, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Perhaps it's time you reminded Nora of her place," Jenkins said, his voice hinting at a smile.
Tyler's eyes locked onto Nora, his expression cold and hard. "Oh, I intend to."
Nora continued to berate Tyler, her insults cutting deep. But Tyler stood his ground, his eyes never leaving hers. Just as it seemed like Nora was about to escalate further, a middle-aged man rushed out of the elevator, his face flushed with urgency.
"Are you Isaac Thompson," Tyler asked, his voice cold.
Isaac Thompson, the Steward in charge of Orange County, approached Tyler with a respectful bow. "Yes sir, I apologize for the delay. I was briefed on the situation by Jenkins."
Tyler nodded, his eyes still on Nora. "This is Nora, the supervisor here. She's been...uncooperative."
Thompson's eyes flicked to Nora, his expression disapproving. "I see. Well, sir, perhaps it would be best if you went upstairs and met with whoever you need to meet. I'll handle this situation here."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to handle it, Mr. Thompson?"
Thompson hesitated, his eyes darting to Nora before returning to Tyler. "I'll...ah...speak with her, sir. Remind her of her duties and responsibilities."
Tyler nodded, his expression skeptical. "See that you do, Mr. Thompson. I expect a full report on this incident."
Thompson bowed again, his eyes fearful. "Yes, sir. Right away, sir."
With that, Tyler turned and headed towards the elevator, leaving Thompson to deal with Nora.
Immediately Tyler left the scene Isaac Thompson turned to Nora, his face stern. "Nora, what were you thinking? That man was a distinguished guest of this hotel, and you treated him like dirt!"
Nora shrugged, her expression defiant. "I didn't do anything wrong sir.He was just some arrogant guy who thought he could walk all over me."
Thompson's eyes widened in outrage. "You have no idea who that man was, do you? He's a very important person, and you've messed up big time by insulting him."
Nora snorted. "Important person? Please. He's just a waste of space."
Thompson's face turned red with rage. "That's it, Nora. You're finished here. Guards!"
Two burly bodyguards stepped forward, their eyes cold. "Yes, Mr. Thompson?"
"Take her away," Thompson spat. "Beat her mercilessly and throw her in the refuse bin. She's no longer a staff member of this hotel."
Nora's eyes widened in horror as the guards dragged her away, her screams echoing through the lobby. Thompson watched her go, his expression unyielding.
"You should have shown some respect, Nora," he muttered. "Now, you're nothing but trash."
As Tyler approached the elevator, Isaac Thompson stepped forward, his eyes apologetic. "Sir, may I have a word with you?"
Tyler nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it, Mr. Thompson?"
Thompson hesitated, his eyes darting around the lobby before focusing on Tyler. "I wanted to apologize again for Nora's behavior earlier. And to assure you that I've handled the matter appropriately."
Tyler nodded, his expression neutral. "It's okay, Mr. Thompson. I appreciate your prompt action."
Thompson nodded, relieved. "Thank you, sir. I strive to maintain the highest standards of service here at the Trafford Hotel."
As they spoke, the elevator doors opened, but Thompson didn't move aside. "Sir, if I may be so bold, I'd like to escort you to your destination. Room 314, if I'm not mistaken?"
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "You know where I'm going, Mr. Thompson?"
Thompson nodded. "Yes, sir. I've been briefed. Please, allow me to escort you."
Tyler hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Very well."
Thompson stepped aside, allowing Tyler to enter the elevator first. As they rode up to the third floor, Thompson continued to speak, his words pouring out in a torrent of statistics and hotel management jargon.
Finally, they arrived at room 314, and Thompson produced a key card to unlock the door. He pushed it open respectfully, allowing Tyler to enter first.
As Tyler entered the room, he saw Jenkins, Victor, and his bodyguards seated in chairs, their faces expressionless. In the corner, Oliver and Ryder were tied up and blindfolded, their bodies slumped in defeat.
Thompson cleared his throat, his eyes darting to the prisoners. "If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll leave you to your...interrogation."
Tyler nodded, his eyes never leaving Oliver and Ryder. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Your services are no longer required here."
Thompson bowed, his face pale, and backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Tyler turned to Jenkins. "Remove their blindfolds."
Jenkins nodded, and one of the bodyguards stepped forward to remove the blindfolds from Oliver and Ryder's eyes.
As their eyes adjusted to the light, they locked onto Tyler, and they exploded into a torrent of insults.
"...You're a coward, Tyler!" Ryder snarled. "Hiding behind your goons and your fancy suits!"
Jenkins stood up, his face stern. "That's enough," he growled. "Keep your mouths shut."
He turned to Tyler and offered him his chair. "Sir, please. Have a seat."
Tyler sat down, his eyes never leaving Oliver and Ryder. "Thank you, Jenkins," he said, his voice calm.
Jenkins nodded and turned to the prisoners. "Now, let's get down to business. You two are in a lot of trouble. And I'm afraid it's only going to get worse if you don't cooperate."
Oliver and Ryder continued to glare at Tyler, their faces twisted with anger and hatred. But Jenkins' words seemed to have a slight impact, and they subsided into sullen silence.
Tyler leaned forward, his eyes glinting with intensity. "Let's start with something simple," he said. "What do you know about the recent...incidents?"
Oliver and Ryder exchanged a wary glance, and for a moment, Tyler thought he saw a flicker of fear in their eyes. But then, Oliver's face hardened, and he sneered. "We don't know what you're talking about."
Tyler smiled, his eyes never leaving theirs. "Don't play dumb, Oliver. We have evidence. And I'm sure Ryder here would love to cooperate to save his own skin."
Ryder's eyes darted to Oliver, and for a moment, Tyler thought he saw a glimmer of betrayal. But then, Ryder's face hardened, and he spat at Tyler's feet. "You'll never take us down, Tyler. We have protection."
Tyler's smile grew wider. "We'll see about that."
Victor nodded to the bodyguards, his eyes cold. "Begin."
The bodyguards stepped forward, their faces expressionless. One of them grasped Oliver's wrist, twisting it brutally. Oliver cried out in pain, his face contorting in agony.Ryder also receives his own share of the torture.
Ryder shouted, his eyes wide with fear. "Stop! Stop! We'll tell you!"
Tyler's gaze flicked to Ryder. "Go on."
Oliver still refused to cooperate and proves adamant.
"Don't say anything" he shouted at Ryder to keep him shut.
Ryder hesitated, glancing at Oliver before speaking. "Fred...Fred Wantons gave us a job. To plant a bomb on Marshal Wantons' car. It was supposed to explode during the charity gala tonight."
Tyler's eyes locked onto Oliver. "Is that true?"
Oliver still refuses to talk, his face pale.
"Yes...yes, it's true. But the bomb's been denoted. It won't explode." Ryder said.
Tyler's gaze narrowed. "And what was the backup plan?"
The bodyguard twisted Oliver's wrist again, causing him to cry out in pain.Still he refused to say anything.
Tyler then turned to Ryder.He doesn't need to say anything as Ryder by now was already scared.
"Okay! Okay!" Ryder shouted. "We were supposed to...to poison him. If the bomb failed."
Tyler's face hardened. "And who else is involved?"
Oliver's eyes darted to Ryder before responding. "Just...just us. And Fred, of course."
Tyler nodded, his mind racing with the implications. He turned to Jenkins. "Get me everything we have on Fred Wantons. Now."
Jenkins nodded and stepped away, phone in hand.
Tyler's gaze locked onto Oliver and Ryder. "This isn't over." He said and suddenly thinks of something.
Tyler's gaze flicked to Ryder, then back to Oliver. "Release Ryder," he said, his voice firm. "He's been cooperative."
The bodyguards nodded, untieing Ryder's restraints. Ryder rubbed his wrists, his eyes fixed on Tyler with a mix of fear and gratitude.
Tyler's gaze locked onto Oliver, his expression cold. "As for you...you're of no use to me."
Oliver's eyes widened, his face pale. "No, please!" He pleaded as he suddenly realizes the kind of man he was dealing with.
But it was too late.
Tyler nodded to the bodyguards. "Finish him."
The bodyguards moved swiftly, their actions brutal. Ryder watched in horror as Oliver's life was extinguished in front of him.
Tyler turned to Ryder, his eyes glinting with intensity. "This is a warning to you and the remaining gangsters of the underworld. Cooperate, and you might live. Cross me, and you'll suffer the same fate as Oliver."
Ryder nodded, his eyes wide with fear. "I understand."
Tyler's gaze narrowed. "Good. Now, get out of my sight. And remember, I'm always watching."
Ryder nodded again, backing away slowly before turning and fleeing the room.
Tyler watched him go, his expression unyielding. "Jenkins, make sure Ryder understands the gravity of his situation. I want him to spread the word."
Jenkins nodded, his face grim. "Consider it done, sir."
Tyler's gaze flicked to Jenkins as he remembers something that might be to uis advantage
"Send someone to bring Ryder back. I want him to do something for me."
Jenkins nodded, and a bodyguard stepped forward, exiting the room to retrieve Ryder.
Moments later, the bodyguard returned, Ryder in tow. Ryder's eyes darted around the room, his face pale.
Tyler's gaze locked onto Ryder, going straight to the point
"Ryder, I want you to be my eyes in the underworld. You know the players, the dynamics. I need someone I can trust to keep me informed.Do you agree?"
Ryder's eyes widened, his face pale. "I don't want anything to do with the underworld again. I just want out."
Tyler's expression turned cold. "I'm afraid that's not an option. You're already in this, Ryder. And now, you'll do as I say."
Tyler nodded to Jenkins. "Reveal my identity to Ryder."
Jenkins stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Ryder. "Ryder, meet Tyler Wales, the young master of the Wales family, a powerful and influential family in the US,I believe you know what am talking about?"
Ryder's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. "W-Wales? He's a Wales I had no idea." Ryder said fearfully.
"Now you know.So are you ready to do as I say.Can you be my eyes in the underground world?
"Yes I will" Ryder said.
"Good,as from today you would be the new boss of the underground world in orange county.You would help me monitor the activities that happens there and make sure everything is in place and order."
"Yes sir" Ryder replied.
"Also I hate betrayal, so if you ever think of betraying me, just have it at the back of your mind that you're a goner am i clear?"
"Yes boss"
"Good you can go,I would communicate across to you if I need your services"
Ryder nodded his head and left the room.