Paris stormed after Levi who had taken her hands off him after they got out of public eyes, her heels clicking aggressively against the pristine marble floor of Jupiter Hotel's executive wing.
"Levi!" she called out, her voice laced with irritation.
Levi barely paused, but out of courtesy for the scene she was causing, he came to a halt, exhaling impatiently. He turned, his cold, piercing eyes assessing her with disinterest. "What is it, Paris?" His tone was clipped, void of any warmth.
She took a deep breath, collecting herself before speaking. "My father is on his way here. He requests a meeting with you."
Levi cocked a brow, unimpressed. "And?"
Paris blinked, taken aback by his dismissive response. "And it would be respectful for you to clear your schedule and meet with him."
Levi scoffed, hands sliding into the pockets of his tailored suit. "Respectful? Paris, your father's company is circling the drain. I have no need for a meeting with a man whose business no longer serves me."
Paris' jaw clenched, her face flushed with anger. "You were more than willing to do business with him when you married me!"
Levi tilted his head slightly. "That was ten years ago. Circumstances change."
Mateo, who had been silently observing the exchange, watched Paris carefully. Her desperation was evident, but there was something else, something bitter lurking beneath the surface.
Levi turned to Mateo. "Meet with her father. See what he wants. If it's nothing worth my time, dismiss him."
Paris snapped. "Levi, you're being disrespectful! My father…"
Levi held up a hand, silencing her. "Your father's declining business is of no use to me anymore. And frankly, neither is this marriage. We should start processing our divorce."
Paris paled. The air around them grew thick with tension as she stared at him, unable to find words. Mateo's expression darkened as he glanced at her, sympathy flickering in his gaze.
Levi didn't wait for her response. He simply walked away, leaving her standing there, humiliated and seething. Mateo hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following Levi, though his eyes lingered on Paris.
***
In the staff quarters, Sabi sat on the edge of her bed, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail after her long shift. She barely had time to reflect on the overwhelming events of the day before her two roommates, Gloria and Tina, turned to her with curiosity in their eyes.
Gloria, the older and more outspoken one, leaned forward. "Okay, spill. Did you really just walk past The Hotel King like he was an ordinary man?"
Tina, the younger and more excitable one, gasped. "She did?! Oh, girl, that was a death wish! You should see the look in his face" she starts mimicking, Levi "stop! You're new"
They all burst out laughing
Sabi shrugged, unbothered. "He's just a man."
Gloria and Tina exchanged horrified looks before bursting into another wave of laughter.
"Oh, honey," Gloria chuckled. "He's not just a man. He's Levi Callahan. He owns everything you see around here. He could ruin your life with a single word. And you, you walked past him like he was one of us? He would never forget your face and if he sees you elsewhere, he won't let it slide. He is a busy man but he has time to bully"
Sabi crossed her arms. "I wasn't trying to make a statement. I just didn't see the point in scrambling like a scared puppy because some rich man was walking by."
Tina leaned in, whispering as if Levi could hear them all the way from his luxurious penthouse. "Let me tell you something. There are rules in this place, unwritten but sacred. First rule: You don't look Levi in the eyes unless spoken to. Second rule: If he's approaching, you step aside. Third rule: You do not, under any circumstances, upset Paris, or you'll regret it." Tina said as fast as she could and rushed to her bed.
Sabi raised a brow, unimpressed. "And what happens if you break these rules?"
"Hold on, this girl! Why are you so daring? Are you planning to break the rules?"
Gloria smirked. "Depends. Best case scenario? You get fired. Worst case?" She dragged a finger across her neck, mimicking a slit throat.
Tina nodded eagerly. "One girl a few years ago accidentally spilled coffee near him. She was never seen again."
Sabi rolled her eyes. "You two sound like you're narrating a horror story."
"Oh, but we are," Gloria said dramatically. "Jupiter Hotel is its own world, Sabi. And Levi? He's the merciless god ruling over it. Do not mess with the Hotel King"
Sabi sat back, pretending to be intrigued, but in reality, she had already done her research. She knew everything about Levi Callahan. His cruelty, his dominance, his meticulous way of running this empire. She wasn't afraid of him. She had come here for a purpose, and nothing, not even a ruthless billionaire, would shake her resolve. She must get revenge for her mother's death and ensure to bring the hotel down if it refuses to treat its staff any better.
Still, she let her roommates' words settle in. She needed to play her cards right. She needed to be careful. Because if she truly planned to dismantle this empire from the inside out, she had to understand its rules before she could break them.
***
Outside the staff quarters, the towering Jupiter Hotel stood illuminated against the night sky. Inside, Levi sat in his office, signing off on documents as Mateo stood across from him.
"What?" Levi asked Mateo who had refused to leave.
"You were unnecessarily harsh to your wife," Mateo said finally, watching Levi with a measured look.
Levi didn't glance up. "Why are you suddenly interested in how I treat my wife?"
Mateo was startled at his response but composed himself, "Her father deserved some respect as he added greatly to the growth of this company and she loved you"
Levi chuckled darkly, lifting his gaze. "He also benefitted from Jupiter Hotel, didn't he?"
Mateo didn't respond. He only nodded before leaving the office, his thoughts tangled on how to come up with a masterplan.