A Case in Red

Chapter 08

After a long internal conflict, I finally gathered the courage to leave the house. I hailed a car and headed to the Maison Rubra, where Conrad Van Dorn was likely already expecting me. Upon arrival, I took a moment to truly admire the magnitude of the architecture. The hotel was vast and imposing; it felt as though the building itself refused entry to anyone who didn't measure up to its stature. I questioned, for a fleeting second, if I was good enough to be there, but I quickly struck the thought from my mind. There isn't a place on earth where Viviane Beltrão isn't good enough to stand.

I walked through the lobby, where a receptionist with long, curly hair worked at a computer, looking as if the hotel already had a mountain of matters to resolve on its first full day of operation.

— Good afternoon, dear — I approached the desk with a faint smile, met by the attendant’s polite professional gaze. — My name is Viviane Beltrão. I’m here for a meeting with Mr. Conrad Van Dorn.

— Just a moment, Ms. Beltrão. I will announce your arrival. Please, have a seat while you wait.

I sat in a navy-blue armchair that anchored the lobby’s decor, crossed my legs, and observed my surroundings with a keener eye. Every detail was curated with millimetric precision, making it clear that such beauty and sophistication weren't meant for just anyone. I wondered how much Mr. Van Dorn had poured into furnishing this place, from the plush carpets to the exquisitely chic chandeliers dripping from the ceiling. In moments like this, where the divide is so visible between the world of those with limitless wealth and everyone else, I felt a pang of injustice. Because while people like Conrad never had to pinch pennies to keep the lights on, I had to fight three times as hard just for the basics of survival.

Several minutes passed, and I remained there, reflecting on life’s inequities while waiting for Van Dorn. I glanced at the desk a few times, but the receptionist never returned my look, making me feel overlooked. Suddenly, a fear began to creep into my mind: did Conrad know who I really was? Was he refusing to see me? My palms grew damp, and I began to feel that my clothes were inadequate, my heels too tight, and my gold necklace nothing more than a cheap trinket.

Yes, I was right: the Maison Rubra does not accept intruders, and that’s exactly what I am—an imposter. My life is not, and will never be, the same as those born into old money. Deep down, I am still a pauper in the body of a rich, successful woman, and I will never truly be anything else.

I checked my watch. The hands pointed to 1:45 PM. Forty-five minutes late. He doesn't want to see me.

I stood up, my throat tightening. I approached the desk again, ready to ask the receptionist to cancel the meeting, when I spotted familiar blonde hair and a clipboard approaching. It was Caroline.

— Good afternoon, Ms. Viviane — I could hear the venom dripping from her words, despite the practiced smile she wore. — Mr. Conrad was attending to some matters, but he is ready to see you now.

— Perfect.

I didn't let her see how shaken I had been by the prospect of being snubbed, nor how frustrated I was by the forty-five-minute delay. I usually consider a lack of punctuality an unforgivable sin; however, I knew I wasn't dealing with just any businessman, and I couldn't exactly demand that he be at my beck and call. I stepped into the elevator and watched Caroline press the button for the top floor.

— I hope you don't take our little disagreement yesterday to heart, Ms. Beltrão — the assistant said, without even meeting my eyes.

— Caroline, I’m not here to talk to your boss about your lack of manners. I have far more relevant matters to discuss with him.

— I just want to make sure you won't trouble Mr. Conrad with an issue that we were perfectly capable of resolving between ourselves.

What Caroline meant was that she wanted to ensure I wouldn't report her or put her job at risk. But I was smart enough to know it wasn't worth throwing her to the wolves for a mere whim. She had already been useful by securing the meeting; I had nothing to gain by blackmailing her now.

I remained silent, and Caroline followed suit until the elevator came to a halt. The metal doors slid open to reveal a hallway with a single set of double wooden doors at the end—likely guarding Mr. Van Dorn’s private quarters. I was surprised. Was the meeting to be held in his suite?

Caroline knocked and entered, with me close behind. The "room" was more like a palatial apartment. It wasn't just a bed and a bath; it was a complete home. Conrad had created a sanctuary here. Near the entrance was a custom modular kitchen, followed by a full living area. A massive balcony flooded the space with light, offering a premium view of Copacabana and the beach beyond. There were three closed doors that piqued my curiosity, until Conrad emerged from one of them.

— Thank you, Carol. I’ll take it from here.

Caroline nodded and withdrew, finally leaving us alone. Conrad looked at me, but unlike the night before, he didn't seem curious or intrigued. He was neutral, entirely convinced that this was a business meeting and nothing more.

— Hello, Ms. Beltrão.

Conrad was dressed in a Ralph Lauren polo and tailored trousers. On his feet, he wore dress shoes—far too formal for someone inside their own home. I admired that. He didn't let his guard down, even in his own private domain.

— Let’s go to my office.

He opened one of the doors, revealing a converted workspace. A desk sat in the center of the room with two chairs and a laptop. A few shelves housed books that I was certain were there only for decoration; there was no reason for him to keep a library in a place where he wouldn't spend enough time for leisure reading.

— Thank you very much for seeing me, Mr. Conrad — I said, sitting in the chair opposite his, my pulse racing.

— I gave Caroline clear orders not to schedule anything on my calendar. It makes me wonder what you said that was so convincing it made her disregard the one thing I asked of her during my stay in Brazil.

Conrad was dead serious, staring at me without expression. I wondered if I had made a mistake by insisting on this meeting, certain now that he was indignant at my persistence.

— I must admit, you have a stellar employee. She must have realized it would be a missed opportunity for Maison Rubra not to hear the offer I have to make — I tried to mask my discomfort at his opening words. Any other businessman would do anything to have me on his team; why would he be any different? I wanted Conrad to realize that the best thing he could do while in Brazil was close a deal with me.

— Only I get to decide what is or isn't a great opportunity, Ms. Viviane. So, make your offer and leave the judgment to me.

I swallowed hard, stunned. It wasn't common for someone to treat you so well one night and act as if you were a thorn in their side the next afternoon. I don't usually jump to conclusions about how people treat me, and I had been certain that the night before, he was curious about me. What was Conrad doing now? A game? A test?

— Mr. Van Dorn, your hotel has the potential to dominate the Latin American market, but it is currently positioned as a European hotel within Brazil. This hotel has luxury, sophistication, and presence. But it needs to cultivate a sense of belonging for the Brazilian people. Rio de Janeiro is a stage for a vast number of tourists who come to experience our beauty; you chose the best location to open the first Maison Rubra on Brazilian soil. The "Marvelous City" attracts visitors year-round, and they want a place they can identify with—a place that speaks with the voice of Brazil. Tourists don't want just another European-standard hotel; they want a place where they feel the soul of Rio from the moment they check in. Celebrities, major artists, international icons bringing their art to Brazil...

— My hotel is not here to host Lady Gaga, Ms. Beltrão — Conrad interrupted, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. — This is a family and corporate network. Not just any tourist can stay here.

— I am well aware of that, Mr. Conrad — I leaned my elbows on the desk, clasping my hands beneath my chin. For the first time since we started, a confident smile played on my lips. — That is why, since I heard of the opening, I’ve studied your other launches around the world. I’ve noticed a pattern that can be adapted to work better in South America to attract an even more elite crowd.

Conrad arched an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. For the first time, he seemed interested in what I was saying.

— First, the repositioning of high-end events. The hotel needs to be the stage where decisions are made, not just where parties happen. Second, strengthening experiences as a brand signature. Maison Rubra already offers luxury, but luxury can be replicated. What cannot be copied is the feeling of belonging. And third, expanding the international audience with a focus on South American executives who seek exactly what this location offers: discretion, power, and excellence.

By the end of my speech, I had forgotten who I was talking to. I had forgotten I was trying to convince the world’s greatest hotel tycoon to bring me onto his team. I was so certain of my own excellence that I knew if he wasn't convinced, it was because his mind was too limited for my services.

Conrad’s expression was no longer strictly neutral. He was reflective. His ice-blue eyes searched mine with depth, as if expecting more from me.

— I have more strategies, of course. And you will know all of them if you accept my offer. I can serve as the private PR strategist and consultant for this hotel—provided, of course, that you are interested in my work. My firm’s success rate is one hundred percent. I have been responsible for launching many Brazilian companies into the international market and bringing global brands into Brazil.

— And why would I need you to do that?

— Numbers — I replied without hesitation. — My results don't lie.

Conrad clasped his hands on the table, idly playing with his fingers.

— You need someone capable of expanding your empire. And I know exactly how to do it.