C6 Rejected

Really?

Royse's classmates were taken aback. Such scenarios were the stuff of movies; who would have guessed they could unfold in reality?

Axel's reaction lagged, his mind a jumble of confusion, yet a cold dread suddenly gripped his heart.

Who was Clive? A man of considerable clout in Minston. It made sense he'd overlook Axel, but to treat Royse with such deference!

Axel couldn't bear to ponder it further, let alone accept that Royse, the perennial trash-picker and failure, had transformed into a mysteriously affluent Rich Second Generation.

Clive's bow to Royse seemed perfectly natural to him; after all, he was merely the Fang Group's agent in Minston. To outsiders, the Fang Group might appear formidable, but next to the Stewart Family, they were as insignificant as a mouse before an elephant—not even in the same league.

Royse leisurely sipped his tea, allowing the collective astonishment to settle. Finally, he inquired, "Is everyone accounted for?"

"Except for a few on vacation, I've assembled everyone in the lobby, awaiting your direction," Clive replied with a reverence that belied his status as one of Minston's elite.

"Good, then let's have a look."

With that, Royse rose and headed out, with Tracy, his silent shadow, in tow.

After exchanging bewildered glances, Axel declared, "Come on, let's see for ourselves!"

He couldn't—and wouldn't—believe it. How could someone he regarded as an insignificant, lowly scavenger hold such an esteemed position?

Guided by Clive, Royse took the hotel president's private elevator down, while Axel and the others were relegated to the standard lift to the lobby.

Upon their arrival, they were stunned by the sight that greeted them.

Hundreds of employees stood in orderly lines, saluting Royse at the forefront.

"Mr. President!"

Axel's world spun, his legs nearly giving way.

This couldn't be real. He must be hallucinating from too much drink. It simply couldn't be!

Emmie's gaze was fixed on Royse, now at the center of everyone's attention, her eyes glinting with a mix of emotions.

"Seriously? Royse is a Rich Second Generation?"

"He's not just any Rich Second Generation. When he set his sights on the Stars Hotel, he simply went ahead and bought it. Can you imagine the clout his background carries?"

"He's kept his identity under wraps so well. With all his wealth, why on earth does he pick up trash every day?"

"Who knows? It could be one of those eccentricities the wealthy have."

"Do you think it's too late for us to apologize for offending him before?"

The students fell silent, filled with remorse. How could they have been so foolish? They missed the chance to get on the good side of someone so influential and even managed to offend him.

Royse had the hotel staff assemble, but he didn't have much to say. He simply introduced himself and dismissed them.

His real goal was to make a statement to the students who had disrespected him.

"Royse, I realize I may have acted improperly before. I apologize. Please, don't take it to heart," one of them stepped forward to make amends.

Encouraged by this, the rest followed suit, eagerly apologizing and buttering up Royse, worried he might bear a grudge.

Royse wasn't upset with them; he gestured dismissively, indicating it was no big deal.

Breathing a collective sigh of relief, the group began to disperse, ready to leave the hotel.

Axel, red-faced with shame, remained silent and trailed behind the others, also ready to make his exit.

But Royse wasn't about to let him off the hook that easily. His anger hadn't been fully expressed, and Axel thought he could just walk away?

"Hold it! Axel, who said you could go?"

Axel stopped in his tracks, feigning composure, "What do you want, Royse?"

"Weren't you the one who said I couldn't leave the hotel today? Fine by me, I'll stay the night. But you? As the owner, I should extend some hospitality."

With that, Royse turned to Clive, "Place a bed in the center of the lobby for Young Mr. Turner to rest comfortably. And get some security to ensure he's not disturbed by anyone irrelevant."

Clive caught on immediately and nodded, "Rest assured, Mr. Stewart. Young Mr. Turner will be well taken care of. Someone escort Young Mr. Turner to his 'room'!"

No sooner had he spoken than a group of burly guards converged, their eyes fixed on Axel.

Axel shivered as the security guards' eyes bore into him, too frightened to even think of resisting. He was corralled into the lobby of the hotel, resigned to the fact that his bed might as well be brought over for him to lie down on.

Royse had finally unleashed the fury that had been building inside him. As he turned around, he saw Emmie approaching him, looking the very picture of distress.

"Royse, I'm sorry, I was wrong. It was Axel's sweet talk that made me break up with you. Can you forgive me?" Tears brimmed in Emmie's eyes, her expression one of earnest pleading.

"Royse, my feelings for you are genuine. You still love me, don't you? Can't we reconcile?"

Had Royse not been aware of her true nature, he might have fallen for her act.

Unfortunately, there's no remedy for regret in this world, and Royse was not the type to reconcile with an ex, especially one who had been intimate with another man.

Royse felt a wave of revulsion. "Sorry, but you're mistaken. I don't harbor any feelings for you. Your true love is over there, waiting for you. It's probably best you go keep him company."

With that, he stepped into the elevator with Tracy and Clive.

Emmie watched the elevator doors close before her, sealing off her dreams of a lavish life as if they were the gates of paradise itself.

She knew a future with Royse was out of reach, and the regret stung.

Turning away, her eyes fell on Axel, still encircled by security. A glimmer of hope sparked in her gaze.

If a wealthy marriage was out of the question, she could, albeit begrudgingly, settle for Axel.

She approached him hesitantly, "Mr. Axel..."

"Scram, whore!"

Axel had watched her attempt to lure Royse with perfect clarity, and his loathing for her knew no bounds.

She had left Royse for him, and now, upon discovering Royse's concealed wealth, she wanted back in.

Her audacity to return after being spurned infuriated him. Did she see him as some kind of refuse collector? The nerve of this despicable woman!

Axel, known for his volatile temper, had only been toying with Emmie without any real attachment.

Having had his fill of her, there was no chance he'd indulge her now. He hurled insults at her as if she were a stray mutt, banishing her from his presence.

Royse had no interest in the squabbles between the two individuals. With due respect, Clive escorted him to the premier room on the hotel's top floor.

Once Royse expressed his approval with a satisfied nod, Clive, beaming, excused himself and gently shut the door behind him.

He had left Royse and Tracy alone inside.

Royse was at a loss for words.

Clive certainly had a knack for schemes.