The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
A man stepped out—well-dressed, confident, wearing a polished watch and a smile that looked practiced rather than real.
“Good evening, sir,” he said smoothly. “I understand there’s been some kind of issue—”
Victor didn’t smile.
“Carolina Reyes. Night cleaning staff.”
The man’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second.
“Explain why she hasn’t been paid.”
The air changed.
Completely.
For the first time since Victor had walked in…
Ximena moved.
She looked at the man.
And all the quiet patience disappeared from her face.
What replaced it—
was fear.
Real fear.
The kind no child should ever feel.
Victor saw it instantly.
And in that moment, he understood something chilling.
This wasn’t just about money.
It was something much worse.
And what happened next…
would leave the entire hotel in silence.
The moment Ximena saw Esteban Valdés… she froze.
