Chapter 5
At two o'clock in the morning, a soft, polite knock echoed at the heavy mahogany doors of Vivienne's suite.
She opened the door to find the hotel manager standing in the hallway, flanked by two towering men in dark suits. The manager still wore his formal white gloves, holding a silver tray with a single white envelope resting upon it.
"Mrs. Cross," the manager said smoothly. "Mr. Valerio has requested that you vacate the premises."
Vivienne drew herself up to her full height, her eyes flashing with defiance. "This is my private residential suite! I have a fifteen-year master lease!"
"The master lease was terminated forty-five minutes ago due to gross misconduct on property grounds," the manager replied without a trace of emotion. "You have thirty minutes to collect your personal belongings. Security will escort you down to the street."
"You dare speak to me like this?" Vivienne snapped, stepping forward. "I built your career in this hotel!"
"You paid my salary with Mr. Valerio's money," the manager said quietly, bowing his head slightly. "Your time is running out, Mrs. Cross. I suggest you pack."
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The two suited men stepped forward, taking up positions on either side of the doorway. Their posture was impenetrable, their faces carved from stone.
Vivienne backed away, her chest heaving with cold fury. She realized with sickening clarity that not a single person in this building—from the valet drivers to the top executives—belonged to her. They had always belonged to Dominic.
