Chapter 9 She's the Queen

• This recognition isn't bestowed upon just anyone?
• Zacharias, disdainful of shaking hands with Thomas, instead approached Cecilia, bowing deeply and addressing him as 'Zacky'. It was as though Cecilia possessed an aura of immense importance.
• What a mockery.
• As everyone observed this spectacle, they doubted their own eyes. Yet, no amount of rubbing could alter the reality before them.
• The once proud expression on Laura's face dissolved into nothingness.
• Thomas's hand remained suspended awkwardly, his embarrassment palpable.
• Silence descended upon the room like a shroud.
• Isn't Cecilia just an ordinary person, lacking in any notable status?
• Then why ...
• The manager overseeing a dozen International Hotels in Shoresea now treated her with such deference.
• "Truly, such prestige is not bestowed upon just anyone!"
• Larry spoke calmly from a corner, his words cutting through the silence.
• His tone held a piercing edge.
• Thomas and Laura, the central figures, turned pale and were left speechless.
• "Do ... do I know you?" Cecilia stammered, momentarily dumbfounded.
• She grasped the man's stature in the business world instinctively.
• The puzzle remained: she had no acquaintance with him. Why had he rebuffed Thomas and shown such respect to her?
• It defied all reason.
• "Mr. Cuban, Cecilia may not grasp the respect you've shown her by offering your hand!" Thomas stepped forward, smiling thinly, though his eyes betrayed an insincere intent.
• "You're hardly fit to speak of her!" Zacharias retorted sharply, without mincing his words.
• Thomas's countenance fell once more.
• I'm Steele Corporation's junior manager, and I am hardly fit to speak of her?
• How can this be?
• Others shared Thomas's bewilderment. What had this unassuming individual done to earn such deference?
• Even Philip of the Faraday Group had to regard Thomas with deferential respect if he was here.
• Cecilia is a nobody. Why isn't Thomas fit to speak of her?
• Their erstwhile friends were thunderstruck.
• Regardful still, Zacharias addressed Cecilia with deference, "Ms. Faraday speaks true. How could one such as I be known to a figure as important as her?"
• Thomas, Laura, and their fellow classmates found themselves at a loss for words.
• Cecilia found herself speechless.
• At the boutique earlier, Mr. Froste's deference had already sown questions in her mind. Yet never had she imagined Mr. Cuban would present himself thus today.
• Both helmed branches of Heaven International, each wielding formidable clout in commerce. Even her grandfather, were he present, might lack the standing to discourse with these two titans.
• What prompted their sudden deference to her? Cecilia thought.
• Cecilia cast a glance at Larry, his smile suggesting a connection she pondered.
• Turning to Zacharias, she queried, "Can you disclose the reason for this?"
• Some rationale surely underpinned this unanticipated reverence.
• Her classmates now perked up, their attention fixed.
• Zacharias chuckled lightly, "There's no rationale, none at all. I have long admired your renown. Today, to hear of your gracing International Hotel, I feel profoundly honoured!"
• Well, that was a load of nothing.
• To Cecilia, this explanation seemed rather tenuous.
• Mr. Cuban, undeterred, persisted with a smile, "Ms. Faraday, do enter. Today, all friends of Ms. Faraday dine gratis at International Hotel, regardless of their order!"
• "But ... " Cecilia hesitated.
• "Honey, if he's so gracious, why not accept the offer?" Larry interjected gently from the sidelines.
• Cecilia's gaze shifted. "But I feel ... "
• "Oh, say less, Ms. Faraday. I would never dare harbour any romantic feelings for you, not even if hell were to freeze over!"
• Zacharias' response came swiftly enough. He saw through Cecilia and her reply.
• Though he wondered why Keith paid so much attention to the disgraced member of a small company, he was in no position to ask questions. His job was to give them a hospitable welcome.
• Well, he's being a welcoming host. Incessant questioning will just be impolite.
• Zacharias's courteous demeanor left Cecilia with little choice but to accept, gliding gracefully towards the hotel.
• Larry trailed silently in her wake.
• "Who might this be?" Zacharias, sensing Larry's exceptional bearing, cautiously inquired.
• Those words sparked a flicker of doubt in Cecilia's eyes. Could it be that Larry had no connection to the events of today?
• Moments ago, she had a stroke of inspiration that suggested Larry's connection to the bizarre events that took place earlier.
• Even as Cecilia pondered this, Mr. Cuban's question seemed to dispel her suspicions.
• "I'm her husband!" Larry declared.
• Zacharias felt a pang in his heart. The woman Keith is supposed to be watching over already has a husband? What is the meaning of this?
• Initially, Zacharias had assumed that some influential figure from Heaven International had been captivated by Cecilia's allure, but Larry's revelation left him baffled.
• Thomas and Laura followed Cecilia with sombre expressions. They had expected to be the focal point today, yet found themselves overshadowed.
• Other classmates remained bewildered.
• "Ms. Faraday?" Zacharias couldn't resist his curiosity. "Do you know Keith?"
• Cecilia was taken aback. Keith again?
• She shook her head. "I don't know him. Could it be ... "
• "I was merely curious. Please don't dwell on it, Ms. Faraday," Zacharias hastily interjected, unwilling to pry further into Keith's affairs.
• And so, the group proceeded towards the hotel, their footsteps resonating down the corridor.
• As they arrived at the entrance of the Celestial International Hotel, a phalanx of nearly thirty bodyguards, all retired veterans, marched out in precise formation.
• Their disciplined stride and commanding presence seemed to touch the heavens, splitting into two rows and standing sharply on either side of the hotel's entrance
• In the centre, two figures swiftly rolled out a crimson carpet at Cecilia's feet.
• This reception resembled the arrival of the highest echelons of the International Hotel.
• Behind them, Cecilia's classmates gaped in disbelief.
• Thomas and Laura were equally perplexed, sensing this was far beyond anything ordinary.
• Soon, the hotel executives emerged, impeccably dressed, to greet them.
• "Welcome, Ms. Faraday, to the International Hotel!" The booming voice was steeped in profound respect.
• Cecilia was stunned by the grandeur unfolding before her.
• This display made it seem like only the president himself was visiting.
• "What on earth is happening? I thought she was a disgraced Faraday lady!" Laura's face was a mix of envy and jealousy. She had anticipated being the star of the evening's birthday celebration, yet Cecilia had completely stolen the spotlight, leaving Laura feeling like a mere bystander.
• "Let's go inside, darling!" Larry interjected casually.
• "But ... "
• "They're being kind-hearted, love. You can't say no, can you?" Larry stepped forward, bending slightly in a gesture inviting her inside. "Tonight is my wife's birthday. She's the queen of tonight!"
• Cecilia stared at Larry in disbelief.