"This... this is..."
Manager Zhang stared at the card in his hand, still in a daze.
"Hey, Manager Zhang, why haven't you told your people to act yet? If you keep hesitating, don't blame me for calling your deputy general manager!"
Seeing Manager Zhang frozen in place, Simon Zuo grew impatient. When Manager Zhang didn't respond, he turned to the approaching security guards and said coldly, "You guys, throw this kid out right now! If you don't, I'll make sure the deputy GM fires you all!"
The security guards exchanged glances and started to move forward.
But at that moment, Manager Zhang snapped back to his senses and shouted angrily at the guards, "What are you doing!"
The security guards froze in place.
Manager Zhang hurried forward, both hands respectfully holding the card as he presented it to Evan Lin. He bent at a ninety-degree angle, his face full of humility and respect, anxiety in his heart but a nervous smile on his face. "I'm terribly sorry! We didn't realize you were one of our distinguished guests. Please forgive our negligence!"
"This was entirely our oversight. I will personally go to the chairman and apologize for this later. Please forgive us!"
Manager Zhang spoke loudly, clearly afraid the surrounding crowd might not hear him.
Right now, Manager Zhang was cursing Simon Zuo in his heart, wishing he could go over and give him a good beating.
Anyone who can get a top-tier VIP membership card is the kind of person whose words could shake all of River City. This card represents the highest level of service—if there's only one room left and both the group's chairman and the cardholder need it, the room must go to the cardholder, no exceptions.
"What? Manager Zhang, what do you mean by that!" Simon Zuo was stunned by Manager Zhang's words, then exploded in anger. "Manager Zhang! Are you out of your mind? I'm a golden member at Sunwave Bluebay! I know Summer Jay and Summer Jade from your company! Are you trying to lose your job? If you don't want it, I'll call your deputy GM right now!"
Simon Zuo had originally returned to China to pursue Rachel Liu, but unexpectedly, Evan Lin showed up and slapped him at the auction.
Simon had been holding a grudge ever since, and this outing was supposed to help him relax. But when he saw Evan Lin together with Rachel Liu, he nearly exploded with rage. Quickly, he decided to make Evan look bad in public.
Who could have predicted that Manager Zhang would suddenly flip sides after seeing a single card?
Simon Zuo's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Sisi Shao and the others were all stunned, frozen in place.
Vincent Wen frowned. "Manager Zhang, my cousin just got back from overseas, but every year he spends at least hundreds of thousands at Sunwave Bluebay. Are you really going to take sides against my cousin for some country bumpkin?"
"Shut up!"
As soon as Vincent Wen finished speaking, Manager Zhang—who had been smiling the whole time—suddenly shouted, startling Vincent.
Manager Zhang turned to Evan Lin, his face full of anxiety. "I'm terribly sorry, sir, for letting you witness such a joke. Why not go rest on the twenty-fourth floor? The rooms there are always ready for you."
The twenty-fourth floor!
Hearing Manager Zhang's words, Simon Zuo looked utterly incredulous. Rachel Liu turned her head to glance at Evan Lin, her expression growing complicated.
"The twenty-fourth floor? If it's empty, why didn't you let me up earlier!" Simon Zuo demanded angrily.
Manager Zhang turned to him. "Sorry, your status isn't high enough."
"My status isn't high enough, but his is?" Simon Zuo was furious.
The people who came with Simon Zuo now realized something was wrong. The Zuo family was a prestigious name in River City, with assets worth hundreds of millions, and Simon was well-connected in elite circles.
"That's right, sir. His status is much higher than yours." Manager Zhang nodded.
"Bullshit! Who does he think he is!" Simon Zuo couldn't help but shout.
Owen Ou mustered his courage and stepped forward, glaring at Manager Zhang. "Hey, are you confused or something? That kid's just a poor bumpkin from the countryside!"
"I can vouch for that!" Ivy Zhao stepped forward as well.
Other than Sisi Shao, who stood frozen and stared blankly at Evan Lin, Allen Zeng and Thomas Zhao also stepped forward.
Evan Lin glanced at them, his eyes cold. "You want to vouch for that? What are you all, frogs at the bottom of a well, dreaming your little dreams."
"Watch your mouth!" Leon Chen stepped forward, face cold, and reached out to grab Evan Lin's collar.
Evan Lin raised his foot and kicked out. Before Leon Chen could finish his sentence, he flew more than ten meters through the air.
Everyone watched as Leon Chen flew like a ball and crashed straight into the swimming pool with a loud splash.
Everyone who saw it was stunned.
One kick—just a simple kick—had sent him flying more than ten meters!
Leon Chen was fairly tall, yet Evan Lin seemed to use no effort at all. His expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever.
Nina Pei raised an eyebrow, her lips parted in surprise. She'd been about to make a snide remark, but after witnessing Evan Lin's kick, she glanced at his foot, genuinely startled by its power.
"He actually hit someone right in front of me! Manager Zhang, this kid is fighting people in your hotel—aren't you going to do something? Or do you plan to ruin Sunwave Bluebay's reputation?" Simon Zuo was completely panicked now.
"Enough noise. Toss them out—I don't want to see them again." Evan Lin looked at Manager Zhang, his tone calm. "Can you do that?"
Manager Zhang nodded hurriedly, then turned to the security guards. "Didn't you hear the VIP's instructions? Escort Mr. Zuo and his group out."
"I said toss, not escort." Evan Lin frowned.
Manager Zhang broke out in a cold sweat and quickly corrected himself. "Toss them! Toss them out!"
The security guards immediately headed toward Simon Zuo and his group.
"What are you doing!" Simon Zuo shouted in shock.
"His voice is too loud. Have all Sunwave Bluebay staff come up and each give him a slap—you have ten minutes." Evan Lin stared at Simon Zuo.
Simon Zuo trembled all over, pointing at Evan Lin. "You wouldn't dare..."
He hadn't finished speaking when—smack!
Manager Zhang slapped him hard across the face.
"The VIP has spoken! Just stop shouting, Mr. Zuo. Sorry, but today you're out of luck." Manager Zhang bowed slightly, then picked up his walkie-talkie.
"Within ten minutes, have everyone come up to the twenty-third floor and line up to slap him—including the cleaning ladies and restroom attendants! I repeat, within ten minutes, have everyone come up to the twenty-third floor and line up to slap him—including the cleaning ladies and restroom attendants!"
"Anyone who doesn't make it in time can pack up and leave!"