Chapter 2: The Empire He Never Owned
Chapter 2: The Empire He Never Owned
Marcus stared at the flashing red light on the card reader.
ACCESS DENIED.
He tried again.
Then a third time.
Nothing.
"This system is broken," he snapped.
The general manager took a slow breath.
"No, sir."
"It has been updated."
Marcus turned sharply.
"I'm ordering you to open that door."
"I'm afraid I no longer take instructions from you."
The words echoed through the lobby.
Guests stopped checking in.
Employees looked up from their desks.
For years, Marcus had been the man everyone hurried to obey.
Now no one moved.
The elevator doors opened.
A woman in a dark business suit stepped into the lobby, followed by two attorneys and several members of the corporate compliance team.
She handed the general manager a folder.
"Board resolutions, ownership confirmation, and executive transition documents."
Marcus laughed nervously.
"This is ridiculous."
"My wife can't remove me."
One of the attorneys answered calmly.
"Your wife didn't."
"The board acted in accordance with the governing agreements after the controlling shareholder exercised its voting rights."
Marcus's expression changed.
"Controlling... shareholder?"
The attorney nodded.
"Castle Hospitality Group has been majority-owned by the Ashcroft Family Trust for several years."
Marcus looked toward the entrance.
Outside, Isabella stood beneath the hotel's canopy, untouched by the chaos inside.
May you like
For the first time since they met...
He realized he had never truly understood who she was.
