When I approached the counter, I felt as if the air grew heavier, and the nearby conversations gradually faded away. Soon, several scrutinizing gazes settled on me, roaming over me from head to toe without any shame, as if they were evaluating an object that didn't belong.

  I felt uncomfortable, but I endured it.

  "Excuse me… I have an order," I said softly.

  The woman at the counter lifted her gaze slowly. First she looked at my clothes. Then my shoes. Finally, my face. At once, a crooked smile appeared on her lips.

  "An order…?" she repeated, as if amused.

  I nodded, tightening my grip on my backpack strap.

  She clicked her tongue in annoyance, as if my presence bothered her.

  "Take it up to the 130th floor," she said curtly, like someone giving an order to a dog.

  I stared at her, bewildered.

  "E-excuse me… the 130th floor?" I asked, confused.

  "What's wrong? Don't you understand the nguage, or are you expecting me to do your job for you?" the woman barked, raising her voice to draw the attention of others.

  Around me, the staff and a couple of well-dressed guests began whispering behind my back:

  "Look at him… disgusting poor bastard." "He even needs a nanny just to walk…" "What a shameless piece of trash…"

  I clenched my teeth hard as I listened to every word that came out of their mouths. But I wasted no more breath. "This so-called luxury hotel is nothing more than a den of ruffians," I thought to myself, turned around, and headed toward the golden elevators at the back.

  "Hey, beggar!" the woman's shout stopped me in my tracks. "Who gave you permission to use the elevator?"

  !!

  I slowly turned back to her. Anger boiled in my veins, and my knuckles cracked as my fists clenched. For a second, I wanted to sp her and throw the bag in her face.

  "What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Does it bother you?" she said with a faint, contemptuous smile.

  …(silence)

  I took a deep breath, swallowing my pride. I couldn't make a scene. If I got arrested or caused trouble, I would damage the reputation of the boss… of my benefactor, the only person who believed in me.

  After a few seconds, I slowly opened my mouth:

  "Then how am I supposed to deliver the order?"

  The woman let out a mocking ugh and pointed with her index finger at a small metal door to the side, almost hidden in the shadows.

  "Use the service stairs. It's 130 floors, so you'd better start running if you don't want the food to arrive cold," she said in a mocking tone.

  Without the strength to argue and with my heart hammering against my ribs, I moved quickly.

  ...

  [130th Floor]

  I pushed open the heavy door that blocked my way. My lungs burned with every breath, and I almost felt as if I were swallowing hot sand. Sweat soaked my uniform, sticking it completely to my skin.

  "Uuuff…"

  I stopped for a second to catch my breath, leaning against the hallway wall. The silence was so dense that I could even hear my own heartbeat.

  "Suite 1301…," I murmured to myself.

  I walked forward with heavy steps, dragging my feet across the carpet. I just wanted this damn day to end so I could lie down in my bed and rest.

  Carefully, I forced myself to go on.

  One step. Two more steps.

  Finally, I spotted two men in bck suits standing guard in front of one of the doors in the corridor. One of them stood out because of his straight posture and sharp gaze.

  ?Lin Hai.

  Although I had never seen him in person, I recognized him instantly. He was famous for always accompanying the young master of the Qin family, even on that interview program.

  I approached, tightening my grip on the backpack strap.

  "E-excuse me…" I said hoarsely. "I'm here with an order."

  Lin Hai swept me with a single gnce. His eyes were like icy knives, analyzing every part of my body, preparing for any danger.

  After a few seconds that felt eternal, Lin Hai slightly frowned. He turned and knocked on the door twice.

  ?Thump, thump.

  The sound was dry and loud.

  "Young Master Qin!" he announced in a firm voice.

  Silence reigned for an instant, until a cold voice, heavy with arrogance, echoed from inside:

  "Come in."

  The sound of his voice thundered in my chest like an ominous premonition. Lin Hai opened the door just wide enough to enter, and for a fraction of a second, I swore I caught sight of a familiar silhouette inside the suite.

  But I quickly discarded the idea. I was sure it was my mind pying tricks on me because of exhaustion. Even so, my instincts began to scream.

  When Lin Hai came out a moment ter, the door remained half open, leaving the scene completely exposed.

  I froze.

  Time seemed to shatter. The air in my lungs vanished all at once, leaving a void in my chest that prevented me from even screaming. My eyes widened so much that I thought they might pop out of their sockets… but no. There they were. Fixed on her. On that figure trying to clumsily cover herself with the white sheets.

  "No… no…"

  I wanted to deny it, to convince myself that I was seeing things wrong, that it was an illusion caused by exhaustion. But reality was truly cruel:

  "On her pale wrist I instantly recognized the silver bracelet I had given her with so much effort, the same one that had cost me three months of sary. I also recognized the curve of her shoulders… and that unique ptinum hair that I had caressed so many times."

  "G-give it to me…" Lin Hai's voice reached my ears distorted, dragging me even deeper.

  My vision soon began to darken, and a sharp ringing flooded my ears, drowning out any other sound.

  The man inside the room, whose silhouette moved calmly, was not a stranger.

  It was Qin Moshen.

  And the woman who was sobbing at his feet…

  was my fiancée.

  ?Su Liang'er.?