Priced Like Gold: A Million for a Slice of Luxury

While inspecting the hotel owned by my family, I start to feel hungry after ordering some food at the hotel restaurant. Before the food is served, I munch on a small piece of bread roll for the time being.

Suddenly, the lobby manager comes up to me and hands me a piece of paper.

"Hello, sir. We do not allow outside food here. It has been 8 minutes and 30 seconds since you entered our restaurant. The total cost of your meal is 1,500 dollars. You'll be fined 1.28 million dollars."

I am briefly stunned as I look at the piece of paper detailing the amount I should pay. Then, I take a picture of the piece of paper and send it to the group chat that has all the members of the board of directors. I tag my elder sister in the next message I send.

"I've received a fine at the hotel owned by my family. Is this how you've increased the hotel's revenue?"

After snapping a photo of the paper, I looked at the manager. "Do you have any relevant documents explaining this particular rule? It's my first time hearing a hotel fine their customer for so much money over a reason like that."

The man before me scoffed. "There are always customers who come here and act like they're some important, powerful men.

"Mister, you were a disturbance to other customers when you had your bread roll earlier. Please pay the fine and leave the establishment this instant."

The other customers looked bewildered as they gazed in my direction.

I tried my best to stay calm as I replied, "I already ordered some food. I was feeling a bit hungry and…"

"Yes, you've ordered food here. Still, that's one of our hotel's rules. You ought to be fined since you broke the rule. Are you trying to weasel your way out of this now?"

I didn't want to waste my time arguing with him. "Tell Nicki Surridge to come here right now. I'm her brother."

The manager cast me a scornful glance. "Every now and then, some relatives of Ms. Surridge will come and try to take advantage of her just because she owns this hotel. How could she possibly make time to see you when she's busy managing the business?

"Please hurry up and pay the fine. We have a high table turnover rate here. Many customers are waiting to dine here."

Since it was the weekend, the private rooms were all reserved. I was dining in the general dining area.

I only brought my assistant, Luke Bassett, along for the inspection this time. He couldn't help but retort, "How could you say something like that? You can try asking the other customers. We simply had a bread roll. What's wrong with that?"

The manager's face darkened, and he raised his voice. "Security!

"Mister, if you refuse to pay the fine, don't blame me for what I'm about to do next. This is a six-star hotel, so we've only hired the best chefs to work for our restaurant.

"You're bringing down our hotel's class and standard by eating your own bread roll here. Of course, we should fine you for damaging our hotel's image and reputation.

"You shouldn't act like you can afford the food here when you can't. You were provided with free music and free water. You even enjoyed our six-star services while eating the food you brought here. Now, you're trying to deny your mistakes. It's only right that we make you pay the fine!"

So, that was why he fined me when I simply had a bread roll just now.

Luke was about to yell at the man again, but I stopped him. "Hang on. Let me try calling Nicki first."

I dialed Nicki's number and explained the situation to her, "Nicki, what's going on with the hotel management team? The manager has just demanded that I pay 1.28 million dollars in fines!"

To my surprise, Nicki replied calmly, "It's not like you don't have that money. Just give it to him."

I was left slightly flabbergasted. I was so exasperated that I suddenly felt like laughing. "If I don't see your resignation letter within the next ten minutes, there are going to be serious repercussions."

After I ended the call, the manager said mockingly, "Keep on acting. Are you going to report to the police and get a lawyer for yourself next?

"I've seen people like you multiple times before. I saw you taking photos earlier. You must be planning to use those photos to gain people's attention. Our hotel, the Intercontinental Hotel, is a six-star hotel brand with countless nationwide locations.

"You can probably fool one or two rich ladies with the photos you've taken. We're not really asking much from you by making you pay a fine of 1.28 million dollars."

Not only did he make me sound like a greedy, materialistic person, but the manager had also put the other customers who were dining here down.

I took a glance at his name tag. His name was Joseph Hill.

"Mr. Hill, someone like you is more suited to be a fortune teller. Being a manager is a waste of your talent. You could tell so much about me without asking me any questions. You must have some sort of psychic powers!"

Joseph's expression hardened.

I had no desire to drag this out. "I'm paying with my credit card. I'll pay for the fine and the food. I want a receipt, and make sure it's stated in the receipt the amount for the food and fine!"

Joseph paused briefly before he snickered. "Sure. I'll have someone get the receipt for you right away."

Just then, we heard Nicki's voice coming from the restaurant's entrance. "Wait!"