Chapter 5

As a result, the senior executives were embarrassed to be caught red-handed gossiping about their new boss. “That’s absurd! Ms. Thompson is the only legitimate daughter of the Thompson family! What’s going on in their heads?!” Asher’s secretary, Steven Lovett, was fuming in the passenger seat. “Being ‘legitimate’ or ‘illegitimate’ doesn’t matter. We’re no longer in the Middle Ages! Why are you so worked up, Steve?” Bella narrowed her bright eyes and reached out to pinch Steven’s cheek. His cute face instantly turned red. “Bella, you are the future CEO of KS Group. Will you act the part? Don’t harass Steve.” Asher frowned slightly. “What’s wrong with that? No one says anything when a male boss teases a female secretary!” Bella clicked her tongue and added, “Also, it’s his honor that I touch him.” Asher shook his head and looked dotingly at his sister. ...... The Thompson siblings walked into the hotel, surrounded by ‌senior executives. Michael Gordon, the vice president of the hotel, kept leading them toward the VIP elevator. However, Bella suddenly said, “I want to see the restaurant first.” Bella cut right to the chase as soon as she entered the hotel and started the inspection. Michael led the Thompson siblings to the restaurant apprehensively. Asher remained calm and played his part as an “invisible man”, allowing his sister to take the reins. However, he had a strong presence. There were no customers in the restaurant before opening time at noon, but the waiters were already placing some dishes on the counter. Bella’s sharp eyes swept over the dishes and suddenly stopped at the live seafood section. She rolled up her sleeves, stretched an arm into a small aquarium, and accurately picked out a dead shrimp from hundreds of other shrimp. “Explain.” “It’s not dead…” Michael stumbled. “If it’s not dead, why don’t you eat it?” Bella curled her red lips. “Ms. Thompson, there are so many shrimp in this aquarium. There will inevitably be a few dead ones here and there.” “It’s normal for shrimp to die in an aquarium, but do you think it’s alright that a customer eats a dead shrimp and gets food poisoning?” Bella’s smile instantly faded as she continued, “Also, there are a total of 356 shrimp in this aquarium. I took a glance and found five dead and no less than 30 half-dead ones. I don’t know how the guests will feel about eating this kind of food for $100 per person. But if I were a customer, I would never set foot in this hotel again!” Finally, she added, “Check all the ingredients in the seafood section immediately and replace the supplier. If I see another dead shrimp tomorrow, I will make sure you eat them in front of me.” Michael was so frightened that his legs wobbled. All the other senior executives were also shocked. Only Asher and Steven knew that Bella had a photographic memory. Back when she was young, she even used her ability to help the police solve a major criminal case. Counting a few shrimp was nothing to Bella. When they arrived at the guest rooms, Bella asked Steven for a white handkerchief and gently wiped the wall and picture frame. “The cleaning isn’t done properly. There is still dust on the surfaces, so it needs to be redone.” The senior executives were secretly complaining about Bella. “I know that you all must be cursing me secretly, thinking that I’m just making a fuss out of nothing and being picky, right?” Bella looked calm, but her tone was extremely serious. “Our hotel has been around for a century. It’s the details that often get overlooked. If the star rating committee does an inspection, these two problems will be enough to strip us of our star!” She shot a look at Steven, who understood what she wanted and instructed in a deep voice, “Open the door to this guest room.” The head of the housekeeping department came to open the door apprehensively. In previous inspections, they would just show the boss two sample rooms. However, this new boss was unpredictable and did not follow conventional methods. Bella walked into the guest room. She inspected the bathroom before walking into the bedroom and sitting on the bed. Her delicate face instantly turned gloomy. However, she did not say anything and ended the inspection. Then she went to the general manager’s office with her eldest brother. “What do you think after one round of inspection?” Asher asked with a smile. “Ugh, it’s an absolute mess!” Bella sat listlessly on the sofa and leaned on the armrest. She sighed and said, “Is Wyatt testing me or playing with me? This hotel is dreadful! I can’t believe it’s under KS Group!” “Bella, Grandpa founded this hotel. KS Group relied on this hotel in the early years to expand to our current scale. This hotel is not a mess, but a sentimental place for three generations of our family. But because KS Group is too big and the hotel industry has been in recession for the past two years, we have neglected the hotel’s management.” Asher blamed himself and sighed helplessly. “Sorry, Bella. You’ll have to work harder to get it back into shape.” Suddenly, Bella noticed the black piano in the corner and gasped. “I got someone to place this piano here. I remember you would play the piano or go for a few laps at the racecourse when you were in a bad mood back then.” Asher blinked. “I think you’ll be very busy in the next two months, so horseback riding isn’t a realistic option. If you’re tired, you can play a few songs on the piano. I remember that you play the piano very well.” “Thanks, Ash. But I haven’t played the piano in a long time.” Bella’s throat tightened. The scar deep in her heart that had finally healed split open again, burning her chest. “How come?” Asher was surprised. “When I was with Doctors Without Borders, I accidentally injured my hand while rescuing the wounded on the battlefield. I tore a ligament in my pinky, so it’s not as sensitive anymore. I could no longer manage an octave, so I just stopped playing the piano.” Bella tried her best to explain calmly. Asher’s heart ached. He quickly held his sister’s hand. “Did you get hurt because of Justin?” “Sort of.” When Bella heard Justin’s name, her heart still ached. However, she still flashed a bright smile. “I got hurt for the sake of world peace. I’m trying to make my family proud!” Five years ago, Bella met Justin, whom she had longed for, again on the battlefield at the border of Kridor. She was a field doctor, and he was a soldier in the peacekeeping force. He fought for peace, and she almost lost her hand trying to bring a seriously injured Justin to safety. Back then, Bella regarded this as a great honor. Now, her heart ached every time she saw her numb pinky. However, that was all in the past. She would not cry or regret having fallen in love with the wrong person. Steven knocked on the door and hurriedly walked in. “Ms. Bella, I’ve checked the suppliers of our hotel’s bedding and furniture as per your request. They are called Alia Furniture, and Mr. Gordon is the person in contact with them.” “Haha, so it’s Alia Furniture.” Bella crossed her slender legs and narrowed her eyes dangerously. “Tell the finance department to go through the hotel’s accounts in the past two years. Also, contact a new bedding supplier immediately and replace Alia Furniture.” “Such a big move?” Asher raised his eyebrows. “Alia Furniture was founded by Justin’s sweetheart’s brother.” “Oh, it’s a personal vendetta, huh?” Asher and Steven spoke at the same time. “No! It’s because Alia sold us cheap and shoddy bedding. I just want justice!” Bella snorted. She got angry just thinking about that hard and shabby mattress. An uncomfortable stay would give guests a bad impression of the hotel. No wonder there were so many bad reviews online! “By the way, there’s one more thing…” Steven added, “Mr. Asher asked me to pay attention to the Salvador family’s movements. I just received news that Nigel Salvador was hospitalized due to a stroke. He happens to be staying in a hospital under KS Group.” “Grandpa is in the hospital?!” Bella stood up anxiously. At this moment, Asher’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and snickered. “Bella, it’s your ex-husband.”