The bright chandelier lights shone down on the polished marble floor of the Grand Horizon Hotel foyer.
Clara stood at the base of the grand staircase, her hands trembling against her orange dress.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at the balcony landing.
Julian: YOU NO LONGER HAVE A PLACE IN MY HOTEL!
Clara: Julian, please. My daughter is sick in the room upstairs.
Julian: I don't care about your daughter. Your credit card declined this morning.
Veronica: Tell her to leave, Julian. She is ruining the hotel view for our luxury guests.
Clara: I paid for the whole week in advance! You know there was a system glitch!
Julian: I own this hotel, Clara. I make the rules here, not you.
Veronica: Security is already on their way down, honey. Don't make a scene.
Clara took a step back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as her expression hardened.
Clara: You really think you own every brick in this place, don't you Julian?
Julian: My name is on the front lobby plaque! Now get your trash and get out!
Clara reached into her handbag and pulled out her smartphone with trembling fingers.
She dialed a ten-digit private number, holding the phone tight against her ear.
Veronica: Who is she calling? Her lawyer? What a joke.
Julian: Let her call whoever she wants. Nobody in this city is bigger than me.
The line picked up on the third ring, and Clara's voice cut through the quiet lobby like a knife.
Clara: TAKE BACK THE PROPERTY! CANCEL HIS DEED NOW!
Julian laughed out loud from the top of the stairs, leaning over the brass railing.
Julian: Cancel my deed? You've completely lost your mind, woman!
Before Julian could finish his sentence, the loud ring of his own phone echoed across the marble walls.
He pulled his device from his blue suit pocket, still sneering down at Clara.
Julian: Hello? Who is this? I'm busy throwing out trash.
Caller: YOUR ACCOUNTS ARE FROZEN AND THE HOTEL IS NO LONGER YOURS!
Julian's face drained of all color as he nearly dropped his phone on the steps.
Julian: What... what did you just say to me?
Caller: The primary trust board just revoked your management lease. You are ruined, Julian.
Julian froze on the stairs, staring down at the woman in the orange dress below him.
Clara lowered her phone, looking up at him with cold, unforgiving eyes as the truth finally hit him.