Chapter 3

"Shouldn't you find out what happened before you demand an apology?" I asked.

Sebastian adjusted the badge on his chest. "Julian has already reported the incident to me."

"Did that include her barging into my room and trying to steal my briefcase?" I shot back.

"Miss Liliana holds a gold card. This ship is obligated to accommodate her reasonable requests." He picked up my room key card from the table and turned it over.

"As for you, we checked your reservation. You booked as a regular passenger, without family backing."

For the past few years, I had used my mother's surname while working overseas. I had also booked my cabin and boarded the ship as an ordinary passenger this time, simply to avoid unnecessary complications.

"So, you're saying that even after paying for a room, a guest still needs someone to vouch for them before they deserve to stay here?"

Sebastian did not answer. Instead, he handed my key card to a crew member standing behind him.

"Revoke her access to the penthouse deck."

Liliana accepted the champagne Julian offered her and took a slow sip.

"It would've saved everyone a lot of trouble if you'd done that sooner." She pointed at her skirt. "But I've changed my mind. She's not staying on this ship."

"We'll take care of it," Sebastian replied without hesitation.

I looked at him. "Is this how you handle problems?"

"We have a responsibility to protect our important guests. You refused to cooperate with the room reassignment and physically attacked a VIP. You're no longer fit to remain aboard the Royal."

He placed the untouched napkin beside the coffee table.

"Before we sail, you'll bow your head and apologize to Miss Liliana, pay for the damage to her dress, and leave the ship with your luggage. That's the last bit of dignity we can offer you."

Liliana set down her glass and deliberately raised her voice toward the doorway.

"You all heard him! She doesn't know how to behave, so when I tell her to get lost, she gets lost!"

Several passengers who had just arrived on the penthouse deck stopped in the doorway.

I could hear them whispering. I could also see Julian standing a little straighter, pleased with how things were going.

The young porter who had spoken up for me earlier suddenly found his voice.

"Mr. Ricci, Miss Liliana was the one who grabbed the briefcase first."

Liliana slammed her champagne glass onto the table.

"She refused to move, so I helped her move her luggage. What's the problem? If you care so much about her, why didn't you pack her things for her earlier?"

She pointed at Sebastian.

"Take away his name badge! I didn't come aboard just to be lectured by some baggage handler!"

Sebastian pointed toward the doorway.

"Take his badge and send him to Human Resources."

The young man froze. One of his coworkers pulled him out of the room. My eyes followed the badge being removed from his chest until the door closed again.

"Is that what you think, too?" I asked Sebastian.

He looked irritated.

"Ma'am, I don't have time to argue with you. The Royal is carrying a shipload of VIP guests. We can't delay departure over one passenger."

I checked my watch. We had twenty minutes before departure.

The secret ledgers had to reach Sicellia with me. My father was waiting for the documents so we could complete the handover of our overseas operations.

"I have to take this ship. I need to get back to Sicellia on time."

"Then you should've known better than to cause trouble in the first place," Liliana interrupted with a laugh. "Now you suddenly have somewhere important to be? Go ahead, beg me. Maybe I'll consider letting you stay."

I closed the briefcase and picked it up.

"Get me the captain."

Sebastian finally laughed.

"The captain is preparing for departure. He has already approved our decision to remove disruptive passengers. There's no need to bother him."

He answered without a moment's hesitation.

"The Royal can't afford to offend one of Marco Moretti's VIPs."

I nodded. "Remember what you just said."

Sebastian's smile vanished.

"Notify security. Have them come and remove her."

Liliana leaned back in her chair and pointed at my briefcase.

"Throw her things off the ship first. That way, she can't use her luggage as an excuse to hang around."