Chapter 1: The New Job I stood in the gleaming employee locker room of The Eclipse Hotel, my cheap black uniform already sticking to my skin from nerves. Twenty-one years old, drowning in tuition debt, and this housekeeping job was my last hope to avoid dropping out this semester. “You can do this, Hazel,” I whispered to myself, adjusting my name tag. My supervisor, a sharp woman named Ms. Vesper, handed me a master key card and a detailed floor chart. “Welcome to the team, Hazel. You are on the elite floors today fourteenth and fifteenth. These guests pay thousands a night, so everything must be perfect. No mistakes. Especially with Room 1407.” I tilted my head. “What is special about Room 1407?” Ms. Vesper lowered her voice. “Long-term guest. Lucian. Very wealthy, very private. He has stayed here for months. Rarely leaves the room. Demands absolute silence and discretion. Do not speak to him unless spoken to. Do your job quickly and leave. Understood?” “Yes, ma’am,” I said, s
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