Chapter 3

• The events of the last few minutes had left Tony feeling dazed and confused, and he struggled to make sense of it all. His uncle's words brought him back to the present moment.
• "Your mother would love to meet you, Tony," he said. "She misses you." Tony felt a jumble of emotions swirling through him. He took a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure.
• The confusion on Tony's face gave way to fierce anger as he considered his uncle's words.
• "You mean to tell me that my mother is alive and well, and she never bothered to reach out to me all these years?" he demanded furiously.
• "All those years I thought she was dead, and now you're telling me she's been alive the whole time?" He felt the rage building inside him, "How could she do that to me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
• "That's a question only your mother can answer," Robert said calmly.
• "But I think it's important that you take some time to process everything you're feeling right now," Robert added and Tony nodded,
• "I don't think I can face her right now," he said, "If I do see her, it will be after I've had some time to think."
• "That's a perfectly reasonable request," he said. "Take all the time you need."
• "Young master, here is my business card," Robert said with a respectful bow.
• "If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am at your service." He handed the card to Tony and, with another bow, walked away. Tony tucked the card into his pocket, For a few seconds, he watched Robert and the bodyguard walk away. He found himself holding his breath, half-expecting them to turn around and tell him it was all a prank. But as the seconds ticked by, and they reached the end of the corridor without turning back, he knew that this was no joke.
• As Tony made his way to the hospital reception to pay for his grandmother's treatment, he reached into his bag to retrieve the ATM card he had found. He also intended to test the card to see if it worked. But to his surprise, the receptionist informed him that the bill had already been settled by an unknown individual and issued him a receipt as proof. Tony knew it was no other than Robert.
• As he entered his grandmother's Ward, Tony breathed a sigh of relief. She was fast asleep, looking more peaceful than he had seen her in a long time. Seeing her rest so soundly brought him a sense of comfort. He decided not to disturb her slumber; everything she needed had already been provided.
• As Tony walked out of the hospital, the reality of his situation hit him like a ton of bricks. The thought of going back to the Lugard mansion, where he would be subjected to more humiliation and ridicule, was unbearable. What's more, his wife Helen had always taken sides with her family. Helen cared less about their marriage and didn't shun the talk of them being separated. The pain and betrayal he felt were almost too much to bear.
• As he pondered his next move, He knew his absence would not be noticed at home. His in-laws would probably be relieved that he was not sharing their roof that night. Since they considered him a bad omen, and his presence was never welcomed. The Lugards have always made him feel like an outcast, unwanted and unloved.
• He resolved to find a hotel where he could get some rest. After the day's events, he needed some time to gather his thoughts and figure out his next move in a serene environment far from the Lugard family.
• The hotels in the area were all fully booked, except for one - a five-star establishment that exuded luxury and class. The decor was lavish, and the furnishings were top-of-the-line. The lobby was opulent, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. It was clear that this was a hotel for the elite, not for the average person. With a heavy sigh, he made his way to the front desk to inquire about a room.
• "Hello, I'd like to see what rooms are available, please," Tony said in a tired voice. He was met with a critical gaze from the receptionist, who took in his appearance from head to toe.
• She sniffed disdainfully and cleared her throat,
• "I'm afraid our rooms are a bit above your pay grade," she said dismissively, her eyes lingering on his unkempt appearance. Tony held his tongue, suppressing the urge to lash out at her, and forced a polite smile.
• "I'll decide for myself what I can afford, thank you very much," Tony said firmly, trying to maintain his composure. The receptionist gave a fake smile, clearly amused by his response.
• "As you wish," she said, pulling up the hotel's inventory.
• "We have two executive suites available, but I must warn you that they are quite expensive," she said, clearly enjoying the moment.
• "I'd still like to see them," Tony said, maintaining his calm demeanor.
• "They cost one million dollars per night," she said, her tone dripping with condescension.
• "I'll go with one of them," he said, his voice steady.
• "You misheard me, Mr. I didn't say one dollar," the receptionist said, a trace of smugness in her voice. Tony's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained calm.
• "I assure you that I did not," he said, his tone polite but firm. The receptionist seemed taken aback by his response, clearly not expecting him to stand his ground.
• As the receptionist eyed Tony suspiciously, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his ATM card.
• "I'd like to pay with this card, please," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. The receptionist's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting him to be able to pay for such an expensive room.
• "I... I need to verify that the card is valid," she stammered, her voice wavering slightly.
• "Please go ahead," He replied politely as he watched the receptionist pick up the phone and dial a number. Her voice was quiet as she spoke to someone on the other end of the line. After a moment, she hung up and turned back to Tony.
• "My boss will be with us shortly," she said, a hint of irritation in her voice. Tony smiled politely, pretending not to notice her annoyance.
• A few minutes later, a stunning lady in her late twenties entered the Reception hall, her heels clicking against the floor as she walked. She was dressed in a fitted suit and pencil heels. Her hair was swept up into a bun, and she wore a bold shade of red lipstick. It was clear from her demeanor and the deferential way the receptionist treated her that she was the hotel manager.
• The manager turned to the receptionist and asked,
• "Where is the customer?" without even glancing in Tony's direction. The receptionist pointed to Tony, and the manager's gaze finally fell on him.
• "Is he the one?" She questioned. Her expression was one of disdain as if he was unworthy of her time or attention.