Chapter 50: Hotel Acquisition

The morning sunshine comes in through the gauzy curtains, casting shadows on the floor. Servants wake Avery for breakfast. She grabs the clock on the nightstand and sees that it's already 8:00 AM. She asked the servants to wake her so she can prepare to start her first day as owner of the Zuri Hotel.

She doesn't know how she finally managed to get to sleep last night. She felt like she tossed and turned for hours. She stretches and notices that the left side of the bed is cold and the sheets are unwrinkled.

One of the maids seems to read the question on her face, "Lucky was ill last night so Mr. Howel stayed there with him."

"I know," Avery says.

"Evan is so concerned about that dog," Avery thinks, "He was so mad at me yesterday—almost madder than when he thought I was cheating on him. I suppose Lucky is out of bounds for me."

She slides out from beneath the warm quilt, takes a brief shower, and goes downstairs. She hears a voice coming from one of the sitting rooms.

"Quickly, I have an important shoot today," Leonie's voice commands.

"Okay, Miss Summer."

Avery pauses outside the sitting room door to watch.

Leonie's makeup artist bends over, using a brush to apply powder to Leonie's face. A team of stylists presents various dresses to Leonie, waiting for her to pick one.

Leonie opens one eye to look at the dresses and points at a light green one, "That one."

"You have such good taste," a stylist compliments her, "This one goes well with your complexion and brings out your glow."

Leonie spies Avery outside the door and says, "Really? Whose complexion is better—mine or Avery's? "

The stylist answers without hesitation, "Of course yours is better. Mrs. Howel always has this miserable look, like an abandoned wife. How can she compare to your youthful glow?"

"Really?" Leonie says with mock curiosity, "The rumor is that the Howel has pregnancy plans."

"It's all false," another stylist pipes up, "With them, it's always hard to tell what's real and what's a lie, but I heard that they're divorcing. Rumor has it that Evan doesn't love her."

"I think that's true," another stylist says, "As I was entering, I overheard some servants talking about how Evan disciplined Avery after she hurt his favorite dog last night."

"I heard that Evan stayed with the dog last night," the makeup artist says.

"So he's no better than a dog," Leonie giggles, "That's juicy."

The sound of clapping comes from outside the door. Avery enters the room, smiling enchantingly and clapping her hands together.

"That is quite juicy," she says.

"Mrs. Howel—" the gossiping stylists exclaim, awkwardly.

"What? Don't you find Leonie funny?" Avery asks coldly.

"She is," the stylists say with confusion.

"Then why aren't you laughing?"

Avery sneers and looks at Leonie seated on a sofa.

"Leonie, why aren't you laughing at your joke?" Avery asks, "Is it because the powder is too thick for you to move your face?"

"What are you talking about?" Leonie curbs her anger and forces a smile, "They're not wrong. Evan did indeed spend the night with Lucky."

"Is that so?" Avery asks cooly.

Leonie didn't expect Avery to keep her composure and she pushes the powder brush away from her face in a fit of rage.

"Do you know who Lucky belongs to?" Leonie asks.

"I'm not interested in that information," Avery says, "I only know that you're telling everyone that Evan Howel spent the night with a dog. One man and one dog. What are you possibly driving at?"

"Nothing," Leonie says.

"Then what's so juicy about him spending the night with Lucky?" Avery asks.

Leonie doesn't want to openly admit that she was implying scandalous things about Evan.

She takes a long breath and says, "You're best at arguing, I admit. But enjoy your victory while you can because your best days will soon be over."

Avery leaves the room laughing. In the kitchen, she makes herself a smoothie. Then she opens the fridge and sees the left-over quiche. Ice gathers in her eyes. She takes all of the quiches out of the fridge and throws it in the trash.

The news of Avery taking over the Zuri Hotel has exploded overnight. By daybreak, a crowd had gathered outside the hotel gates. Gossip mongers and journalists rub shoulders, eager to get the inside scoop.

The news of the Zuri Hotel changing owners overnight is earth-shattering enough, but the news that Avery Howel has never worked or even studied hotel management has everyone abuzz. The crowd seems eager to watch the hotel fail and many are placing bets on how long the Zuri Hotel will stay open under Avery's management. Some wager it will make it a year, others say they doubt it will last another week.

"She's here," someone shouts.

The crowd turns to watch a red Ferrari stop in front of the hotel. The doorman opens the car door and Avery steps out in a bright yellow suit. The crowd surges toward her, and journalists jam microphones and cameras toward her face.

"Mrs. Howel, they say Zuri Hotel was a gift from your husband, is that true? Or is it part of a divorce settlement?" asks a reporter.

"It's said you don't have relevant experience," says another, "Are you going to hire managers?"

The journalists flock around Avery and make it difficult to move. Avery had no idea the news would get out so fast. The security guards at the hotel gate create a distraction for the journalists and allow Avery to push through the crowd.

Avery looks ahead straight-faced. Her new assistant, Claire Wentworth, leads the way, "Mrs. Howel, follow me."

"Avery is fine," Avery tells Claire.

"Okay, Avery, this way," the assistant says.

Once they have fought their way through the gates, everything becomes a lot quieter. The press is forced to stay outside the hotel.

The hotel has Roman-style pillars, a Swarovski crystal chandelier, and marble floors, all of which show great taste and sophistication. Despite the luxury, the large lobby is empty, save for a woman dressed in black behind the receptionist's desk. Avery recognizes the woman as Michelle Cindy.

 "Avery, your acquisition of the Zuri Hotel caused much of the staff to resign," Claire explains, "The chain hotels owned by the Summers agreed to improve benefits for all staff, so many people transferred to those properties. The Summers have also launched some promotions in the other hotels, offering guests up to a week's free stay. Besides, they've stolen some of the events planned for this hotel."

"So basically they're going to crush the Zuri Hotel?" Avery asks.

"I think so," Claire answers ruefully.

Avery smiles casually as she couldn't care less, and her confidence puzzles and terrifies Claire.

"I thought this mess would rattle her, but it seems like she expected it," Claire thinks, "I can't believe she's not more worried, though."

Avery's high heels echo across the marble floors as she approaches the reception desk.

"Welcome to Zuri Hotel, Mrs. Howel," Michelle smiles coldly.

She'd gladly go to one of the Summers' other hotels if it weren't for her contract and Evan's orders. The other hotels would pay her double what she's making now. She has to admit that a part of her wants to stay and see how Avery deals with the mess. Avery glances at Michelle, but doesn't have time to speak with her—she has more urgent matters to attend to.

Claire follows Avery explaining, "We can't leave the reception desk empty, so we've promoted Michelle from waitress to temporary receptionist."

"How many employees are there?" Avery asks.

"No more than thirty," Claire answers, "And many of our shareholders are hurrying to sell."

Avery anticipated all of this.

Calmly she asks Claire, "Why didn't you leave too?"

"I've been here for six years and I got used to working here."

Avery examines the other woman. Claire has short-cropped hair and a plain face. She wears a simple black skirt-suit. She's not an attractive woman, but she does look capable and professional.

"I want all the staff documents sent to my office. And ask the head of HR to see me," Avery commands.

"No problem. We're also scheduled to shoot some promotional footage later today. Do you want to visit the shoot later?"

Avery nods and gets into the elevator. She and Claire rise to her office on the 28th floor of the hotel. 

They walk through the long and intricate corridor and Avery can't help but notice the stylish and tasteful design. The walls and ceilings are decorated with stained glass. Sunlight comes through the windows and reflects an array of colors. Avery loves the rich colors and the quality of the glass. It's quite similar to her dressing room.

"Miss Diana Summers designed this place. She used to work as a top interior designer," Claire says.

"Diana Summers," Avery thinks, "There's that name again."