Chapter 1

I ignored the man and forced myself to endure the headache as I told the receptionist to check me in.

She hesitated before trying to persuade me otherwise.

"Sir, maybe you could change rooms? This is Leo Ziegler, Ms. Gardner's secretary. We really don't want any trouble."

Leo shot me a smug look.

"See? Now get lost, you foreign scum!"

My expression turned cold. "I'm not giving him this room."

I turned to face the receptionist. "Call your supervisor. You'll find out exactly who that room belongs to."

That suite had been custom-built for me under Steven Gardner's direct orders.

I had split personalities. My alter possessed destructive power comparable to a nuclear weapon. It was the country's most closely guarded secret weapon in a human form.

Only a room with the highest level of reinforced protection could contain the damage if my alter surfaced.

Otherwise, the consequences would be catastrophic.

This was my first time leaving the Classified Unit in years.

I hadn't wanted to come in the first place. After all, my unique situation meant any mistake could lead to irreversible disaster.

However, Steven insisted by saying I had given too much for the country but still seemed too lonely. He was determined to set me up with his granddaughter.

After he assured me everything had been arranged accordingly, I reluctantly agreed to go on leave.

Seeing how serious I looked, the receptionist hesitated before calling her supervisor. It turned out everyone was in a meeting.

I retrieved my phone and dialed Jessica's number.

When the call connected, I introduced myself and tried to explain what had happened.

She cut me off impatiently.

"Just because Grandpa introduced you to me, it doesn't mean you're all that great.

"I'm busy. I don't have time to meet you."

"Ms. Gardner, I'm at your company's hotel right now. You–"

She hung up before I could finish.

Leo snorted.

"And I thought you were someone important. Turns out you're just pretending!"

He shoved me aside and tossed his ID onto the counter.

"Hurry up. Get my presidential suite ready."

"Do you even understand common decency? First come, first served."

My tone turned harsh as I shot back.

I looked at the receptionist again. "I have special circumstances! That room was literally modified for me."

Leo burst out laughing.

"Are you insane? Who do you think you are to have a room specially modified for you?"

He turned to the receptionist and gave her a threatening look.

"I'll be honest. I reserved that room for Ms. Gardner. She'll be here any minute."

The receptionist panicked. Without another word, she handed the key card to Leo.

He looked at me smugly.

My expression darkened. "So this is how your hotel operates? Do you only respect power and money? Do rules not matter anymore?

"Fine. I'll pay more. I want that room!"

I retrieved my card and was ready to pay. If this dragged on any longer, it would be too late.

Suddenly, Leo grabbed a stack of cash and flung it in my face.

"Here, I make the rules!"

He grinned devilishly. "You foreign scum. Don't think having money means you can act tough here. See this? Everyone's got money.

"In Alphaville, even a big fish has to answer to the ocean!

"Now get on your knees!"

While he spoke, he kicked hard at my knee.

A sharp pain shot through me. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness for a few seconds.

When I came to, I found my hand clamped tightly around Leo's throat.

His eyes were wide open, and his face flushed red. He was suffocating and on the brink of death.