Episode3
1061 Words
The Grand Astoria Hotel looked like something only seen in movies.
Fancy cars pulled up one after another. Men in expensive suits and women wearing beautiful dresses stepped out with bright smiles on their faces.
Elena stood across the street, staring at the entrance.
People laughed as they walked inside, as if they belonged there.
Elena looked down at the invitation she had managed to get through one of her coworkers before slipping it back into her handbag.
She took a deep breath.
"This is for Noah," she whispered to herself.
Thinking about her brother gave her the courage to cross the street.
As soon as she walked into the hotel, she knew she didn't fit in.
The ballroom was filled with sparkling lights, fresh flowers, and elegant decorations. Soft music played in the background while waiters carried trays of drinks from one group to another.
People laughed as they talked about business, expensive vacations, and million-dollar deals.
Elena held her handbag tightly.
She noticed people looking at her.
Some looked at her dress.
Others whispered to the person standing beside them.
She pretended not to notice.
She wasn't here to impress anyone.
She was here to find Margaret Ashford.
She looked around the room until she finally saw an older woman surrounded by reporters.
Margaret looked graceful in a long white gown. She smiled warmly as cameras flashed around her.
Elena reached into her handbag and touched her mother's letter.
"Please remember my mother," she prayed quietly.
She waited patiently until the reporters walked away.
Then she slowly walked toward Margaret.
"Mrs. Ashford?"
Margaret turned and smiled politely.
"Yes?"
"My name is Elena Hart."
Margaret nodded.
"How can I help you?"
Elena quickly took out the letter.
"I know we've never met before, but my mother asked me to find you if I ever needed help."
Margaret looked at the letter but didn't take it.
"I'm sorry," she said kindly. "Do I know your mother?"
"My mother's name was Grace Hart."
Margaret frowned for a moment as if she was trying to remember.
After a few seconds, she slowly shook her head.
"I'm sorry, dear. I don't remember anyone by that name."
Elena's heart dropped.
"Please... could you just read this letter? My mother kept it for years."
Margaret stepped back.
"I'm sorry, but this really isn't the time."
"My brother is very sick."
Tears filled Elena's eyes.
"He's in the hospital, and I don't know what else to do."
"I wouldn't be here if I had another choice."
Margaret let out a quiet sigh.
"I'm truly sorry about your brother."
"But people come to me asking for help all the time."
"This isn't a lie."
"My mother said you promised to help her if she ever needed you."
"I only need a few minutes."
Before Elena could say another word, a security guard walked over.
"Is everything alright, Mrs. Ashford?"
Margaret gave a small nod.
"This young lady seems to think she knows me."
The guard turned to Elena.
"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"I'm not trying to cause trouble," Elena said quickly.
"I just need to speak with her."
By now, several guests had stopped talking.
They were watching everything.
Whispers spread across the room.
"Who is she?"
"I've never seen her before."
"Is she asking for money?"
"How did she even get in here?"
Elena felt her face grow hot.
She looked at Margaret one last time.
"Please."
"My brother could die."
"I don't know where else to go."
For a moment, Margaret looked uncomfortable.
But she still shook her head.
"I'm sorry."
"I can't help you."
Those words broke the little hope Elena had left.
The security guard gently pointed toward the exit.
"This way, ma'am."
Elena slowly put the letter back into her handbag.
She lowered her head and walked toward the door.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her.
She wanted to cry, but she refused to cry in front of strangers.
She kept walking until she disappeared from the ballroom.
From the second floor, Adrian Voss had watched the whole scene.
He stood quietly with a glass in his hand.
At first, he hadn't paid much attention.
Rich people were often approached by strangers asking for help.
It happened all the time.
He was about to walk away when he heard two guests talking nearby.
"What a sad scene."
The other man looked toward the exit.
"I think that girl is Elena Hart."
Adrian stopped.
Hart.
The name hit him like a punch.
Suddenly, he remembered something his father had told him many years ago.
"Never forget that name, Adrian."
"The Hart family destroyed your mother's life."
"They are the reason our family suffered."
Adrian looked toward the door Elena had just walked through.
She looked nothing like the person he had imagined all these years.
She looked tired and completely worn-out.
His face remained cold.
He turned to his assistant.
"Daniel."
"Yes, sir."
"I want everything you can find about that woman."
Daniel looked toward the door.
"The one who just left?"
Adrian nodded.
"Her name is Elena Hart."
"I want a full report on my desk by tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
Daniel gave a small nod.
"I'll have everything you need by tomorrow morning."
He turned and walked away.
Adrian stayed where he was, his eyes fixed on the ballroom doors Elena had just walked through.
Something about her didn't make sense.
If she really belonged to the Hart family...
Why did she look like a woman who had already lost everything?
He pushed the thought aside.
It didn't matter.
A Hart was still a Hart.
And if she carried that name...
Then she would pay for what her family had done.
Downstairs, Elena stepped out of the hotel and into the cold night.
She didn't realize someone was already watching her.
She had no idea that everything in her life was about to change.
As Elena walked away, Adrian quietly picked up his phone.
The call was answered after the first ring.
"Daniel."
"Yes, Mr. Voss."
Adrian's eyes never left the hotel entrance.
"When you finish digging into her past..."
He paused for a second.
"...bring Elena Hart to me."
Daniel felt a chill run down his spine .
He had worked for Adrian for years.
Whenever Adrian gave an order in that calm voice...
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