Chapter 184 He Is My Guardian
The world seemed to split into two different temperatures because of Lucas's words.
On one side was sharp malice, on the other was Lucas's warm body heat. I couldn't help but move closer to him, wanting to bury my head in his chest.
My gaze fell on Lucas's slightly disheveled and loose tie. There was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead—clearly, he had rushed all the way here.
"Where did you come from?" I asked him. "Did this delay anything important for you?"
"Besides you, I have nothing important," Lucas said habitually. He'd been getting better and better at sweet talk lately.
I shot him a coquettish glance and pointed at the troublemakers and reporters. "You handle this."
"Don't worry, leave it to me." Lucas raised his right hand to gently stroke my face, kissed my forehead as if no one else was there, then turned to face his former "family members" and let out a slow, cold laugh.
The group that had been shouting and making a scene suddenly fell silent like mutes, looking at each other, too scared to make a sound.
"Go on, why'd you stop?" Lucas's tone was cold, his eyes fierce.
Donald's two mistresses were the main troublemakers, but they exchanged glances, both lowering their heads, even trying to hide behind the hospital bed.
On the bed, Donald struggled to raise his hand, his index finger trembling as he pointed at Lucas. "You bastard!"
Lucas studied him carefully for a few seconds, then asked in confusion, "I'm so smart and successful in my career, while you're like an idiot who's accomplished nothing. Are you really my biological father?"
Someone couldn't hold back a laugh.
Donald's face immediately flushed red, his whole body shaking with anger.
Tessa's expression darkened. "That's enough, Lucas. You've already made your grandfather so angry he had a stroke and is paralyzed. Do you want to kill your father too?"
"I don't see Grandpa three hundred and sixty days a year, and we rarely even talk on the phone. You say I made Grandpa so angry he's paralyzed—do you have proof?" Lucas pulled a cigarette from his pocket but didn't light it, just played with it between his fingers.
"On the other hand, you people are in Grandpa's face every day. Half the family scandals are thanks to my dad. If Grandpa got sick from anger, there's no way that's on me."
Donald cursed weakly, "You shameless bastard." He was so angry he could barely speak. The others looked at him with worry and sympathy, wondering if he'd become the second Holden.
A young girl couldn't help but shake her fist at Lucas. "You're the one who made Don sick during the hunting competition!"
I remembered her—this girl was also Donald's illegitimate daughter, though I didn't know her name. After all, Donald had too many illegitimate children to keep track of.
From how she addressed Holden, her status in the Valeri family probably wasn't very high.
Lucas pretended to be surprised. "Oh, so you still remember what happened that day? I thought you'd all forgotten."
In an instant, the Valeri family members all held their breath.
That day's events, that bloody and terrifying scene—how could they possibly forget?
Lucas patted the holster at his waist and said unhurriedly, "If you can't remember clearly, I don't mind helping you recall."
Watching the troublemakers show expressions of horror, Lucas's eyes remained completely calm. "I'll count to ten. If you don't leave, I'll personally escort you out."
Those people shuddered. Even though it wasn't hot, they were all sweating.
Donald was gasping as if someone had pulled out his oxygen tube, his one functioning hand constantly slapping the bed. "Go, go!"
Tessa was unwilling to give up. "Lucas, we're your family!"
Lucas sneered. "Are you worthy?"
Tessa's anxious gaze darted between me and Lucas, as if wondering why her earlier attempts to drive a wedge between us hadn't worked.
But Lucas didn't want to waste any more time. He started counting down. "Ten, nine, eight."
Alfred made a gesture, and all his subordinates put their hands on their holsters. I nodded to the hotel security team captain, and he led his team members forward with riot shields, closing in on the Valeri family.
"Seven, six."
"We're leaving right now!"
"Don't shoot! Don't hit me!"
I watched them scramble away. The situation was under control, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
But things weren't completely resolved yet.
Lucas's gaze fell on the reporters in the front row who were still filming, his expression stern. "I don't care which media outlet you're from. Delete all the footage you just shot, including the master tapes. I don't want to see today's events in the papers or online. Those willing to cooperate will get a thank-you fee from me. Those who aren't—I'll have to delete it myself."
Someone protested, "What right do you have to do this!"
Lucas looked at him calmly. "You want to go against me? Fine. I'll see it through to the end!"
The man opened his mouth, about to argue, when a colleague next to him quickly grabbed him. "Stop it! Think about your family!"
"This whole thing was their fault to begin with. Platinum Haven Hotel was innocently dragged into this."
Lucas tilted his head slightly and gave Alfred a calm instruction. "Clear the area."
The reporters slowly dispersed. I checked the time—less than ten minutes, and everything was resolved.
Lucas turned around, his gaze falling on me. The coldness and hostility surrounding him instantly vanished. He walked over and pulled me into his arms, his voice low. "How did I do? Satisfied?"
"Very satisfied!" I wrapped my arms around his waist, generous with my praise. "But I'm afraid this won't be the last time something like this happens."
Only some of the Valeri family had come to cause trouble today. Lucas's uncle Russell hadn't come—he was probably taking care of Holden.
Lucas couldn't completely destroy them, or his reputation would be ruined.
But my hotel couldn't handle them coming to cause trouble every few days.
"Don't worry." Lucas lowered his eyes, his fingertips gently touching my cheek, his tone as light as a slowly falling feather. "I won't let anyone have a chance to make things difficult for you."
I smiled, my eyes crinkling, and grabbed his hand. "I'm not afraid of trouble. I'm not someone to mess with either!"
I was prepared for frequent targeting in the days ahead, but the storm came faster and more fiercely than I'd imagined.
First, someone maliciously smeared Platinum Haven Hotel online. Then, a vegetable supplier we'd worked with for years suddenly cut ties.
After that, someone reported that Platinum Haven Hotel employees weren't properly certified. That wasn't a big deal, but as soon as we resolved it, we were reported again for blocked emergency exits and substandard food hygiene. They gave me no breathing room—clearly someone was causing trouble behind the scenes.
James frowned tightly, pacing in my office with his hands behind his back. "The remnants of the Valeri family and the Gambino family have joined forces. They're behind all the recent trouble!"
"Not just them. There are other people behind the scenes, and we have a mole inside the hotel too." I watched him walk in circles and tried to calm him down. "James, don't worry. Sit down and have some coffee."
"I can't drink anything right now." James sighed but sat down anyway.
He'd just taken a sip of tea when Adrian knocked and came in, his face tense. "Ms. Sorelli, we just got notice—Platinum Haven Hotel has been ordered to suspend operations for inspection, effective immediately!"