Chapter 1587
No.1
Beatrice Holloway pushed the dining cart forward, carefully arranging each dish on the table.
“How long have you been employed here?” Isabella began coolly. “There’s something familiar about you.”
“Oh, indeed! Over a decade now. Please don’t mistake my age for incompetence. I’m far more reliable than some of these flighty young girls, no matter how pleasant they seem,” Beatrice replied, her smile radiating pride.
Isabella noted the woman’s genuine and amiable demeanor. She decided to play along. “Reliability is a quality I value greatly. Would you sit with me? There’s something I wish to discuss.”
“Oh? Of course, ask anything,” Beatrice answered, visibly flattered and pleased by the attention.
She knew Isabella was the renowned Diamond Boss, a superstar here for a major campaign. Offending such a powerful figure was unthinkable.
“My questions concern an event from five years ago,” Isabella stated, getting straight to the point. “Please, sit. I need you to think back carefully.”
Five years ago?
A flicker of anxiety crossed Beatrice’s face as a specific memory surfaced.
No.2
This very room… five years ago… Wasn't Isabella present then?
The thought that the plain, awkward girl from back then had transformed into this stunning woman was staggering. She cautiously took a seat. “What is it you wish to know, Ms. Montgomery?”
“Valentine’s Day. Five years ago. Who was in this suite?”
This was a presidential suite. Its guests were always notable, leaving impressions. Yet, Beatrice merely chuckled nervously. “My dear, I’m an old woman. How could I possibly recall details from so long ago?”
“Valentine’s Day is memorable. Events of that day would surely stand out, even more than usual,” Isabella countered, her voice steady. “Furthermore, you were responsible for the breakfast service to this room that morning. You accidentally broke a vase in the hallway. The compensation was five thousand dollars. A significant sum for you. I’m certain you remember that day perfectly.”
Isabella spoke with methodical precision. She retrieved a bank card from her bag. “This holds half a million dollars,” she stated. “It’s yours. All I require is accurate information.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. She had never seen so much money. It represented over a decade of her wages!
Isabella’s intense gaze locked onto her. “Think carefully, Beatrice. Five years ago. Who entered and left this room?”
Her voice was low, persuasive. She slid the card across the table.
No.3
The temptation was overwhelming. Beatrice finally capitulated. She wet her lips nervously before speaking. “Ms. Victoria Kensington and Mr. Alexander Whitmore… they brought you in. I was delivering a supper tray next door. I saw them assisting you inside. It struck me as odd. Usually, it was couples. A trio of two women and one man was… unusual.”
Isabella’s brow furrowed. Victoria and Alexander? Five years ago, she had overheard their conversation. Had Victoria masterminded the entire incident?
This story felt wrong. Beatrice was lying.
A cold chuckle escaped Isabella’s lips. “The half-million is for the truth. Do not attempt to deceive me.”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Beatrice blurted. “Even without the money, I wouldn’t risk misleading someone of your stature. I remember them helping you. I remember the childish black dress you wore… Ahem. Forgive my bluntness, but it was… a peculiar, funky-looking garment. It was rather memorable, you see.”
Isabella’s frown deepened. Beatrice’s tone carried a ring of truth. The description of the dress was painfully accurate. She had been a laughingstock that night.
It seemed Beatrice wasn't lying.
How did Alexander and Victoria manage to bring her to this hotel?
Alexander must have been involved with Victoria. But if he was present that night, how could he have allowed Victoria to make such a critical mistake?
No.4
Beatrice noticed Isabella's skeptical expression and quickly added, "Let me call the floor manager for you. Lawrence Chamberlain has supervised this level for years. He knows every person who has entered or exited these rooms.
"I only handle food deliveries, but Manager Chamberlain provides additional guest services. He would have more detailed information about that incident. You can verify everything with him to see if I'm telling the truth."
"Fine. If your story checks out, you'll get your money." Isabella swiftly put away her bank card.
"Excellent. But please don't mention our conversation to Manager Chamberlain. He's very strict, and I could lose my job if he finds out." Beatrice stood up to leave the room.
Isabella gave a slight nod.
As Beatrice exited, she reminded her, "Remember to open the door for him when he arrives."
The door clicked shut, leaving the room in complete silence.
Isabella stared at the dishes on the table but felt no appetite.
She wondered if Manager Chamberlain would have any real information. Would his account match Beatrice's? While the waitress seemed truthful, something about the story felt off.
No.5
What crucial detail was she missing?
Meanwhile, at The Grand Monarch Hotel...
The luxury establishment stood a kilometer away from Phoenix Hotel, its presidential suite occupying the entire top floor.
Nathaniel stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his gaze fixed on the lavish bed behind him. Five years ago—on Valentine's Day—he had taken a girl's innocence on that very bed. Who was she? Why had she vanished without leaving a single trace?
Sebastian was usually highly competent. Why couldn't he solve this mystery?
At that moment, Sebastian entered with Oliver.
"Brother, I've gathered all staff members who were working here five years ago."
As he spoke, about ten employees filed into the room. They stood with their heads bowed, visibly trembling with fear.
Nathaniel turned and scrutinized the group. His voice remained ice-cold. "Who was the girl in this room five years ago on Valentine's Day?"
No.6
"Mr. Blackwood, we truly don't know."
They all gave identical answers, their eyes fixed on the floor in terror.
Nathaniel's tone turned dangerous. "Think very carefully before you answer. I have a hungry alligator waiting in my pond at home."
The staff turned pale at his words. Their bodies shook with uncontrolled fear.
Rumors about Nathaniel Blackwood's cruelty were well-known. That he kept an alligator as a pet was apparently true.
What if he decided to feed them to his pet?
One female staff member suddenly spoke up. "Mr. Blackwood, I don't know who that girl was... but he might know."
She pointed at the man standing beside her. Nathaniel's sharp gaze immediately focused on the indicated man.
The man in the tailored suit stood frozen. Gregory Whitmore, now manager of The Grand Monarch Hotel, felt his blood run cold.
No.7
His knees nearly buckled when the server singled him out. "That's absurd!" he blurted. "I was just a cleaner back then. How would I remember who accessed the presidential suite?"
"Exactly why you'd know." The server's voice remained steady. "Valentine's Day, five years ago. My shift ended at 5 AM, but my boyfriend wanted to celebrate. I swapped with you."
She took a step closer. "You covered the night watch. You monitored that entire floor. You saw everything."
Gregory's face lost all color. His hands trembled visibly.
Nathaniel Blackwood's gaze sharpened, darkening with intensity. "Seems you'd prefer to meet my alligator. Sebastian, bring him."
Sebastian moved forward, his expression grim.
Terror seized Gregory. He dropped to the floor with a heavy thud. "Mr. Blackwood, have mercy! I don't know the woman! I never saw her, I swear!"
"Then why hide working the night shift? Why the guilt?" Sebastian pressed.
As a doctor, Sebastian read people's eyes with precision.