Faceslapping

Her eyes raked over him again, the corners of her lips curling in disdain. "Do you even know where you are? This is King's Palace Hotel, not a place for jokes."

Richard remained unfazed. "I'm well aware of where I am. And if you're smart, you'll take me seriously."

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her confidence faltering for a split second before she let out a soft laugh. "Sure. Let me guess, you're here to beg for a free room?" she mocked, clearly enjoying her own joke.

Richard's expression remained unreadable, his calm demeanor starting to unsettle her. "You'll regret this," he said firmly, his voice lowering. "I promise you."

The receptionist sighed again, her amusement fading. "Look, whatever game you're playing, it's not going to work here. Leave now before security comes back."

Just as the receptionist was about to brush Richard off, the automatic doors of the hotel slid open, and in walked a stunningly beautiful woman.

Heads turned instantly. The room seemed to buzz with excitement as her entourage trailed behind her.

It was none other than Mia Johnson, a famous actress known for her striking beauty and impeccable style.

Every movement she made was elegant and deliberate, her curves accentuated by the fitted designer dress she wore. She looked like she had just stepped off a red carpet, her glossy hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves.

Mia's presence commanded the room. As she passed by, whispers followed in her wake, people nudging each other and sneaking glances.

Her entourage of stylists and assistants fluttered around her, ensuring every detail was perfect.

She didn't even have to say a word, and the receptionists' attitudes instantly shifted, their eyes now wide with admiration and focus entirely on her.

Richard stood his ground, watching the scene unfold. He knew Mia was a regular in elite circles, he had seen her often on TV shows.

Mia Johnson was in a league of her own. An A-list actress whose name carried weight, far surpassing the fame of Richard's wife, Linda, who was a mere C-list celebrity in comparison.

In the movie industry, Mia was a powerhouse, starring in blockbuster films, gracing the covers of international magazines, and walking the runways of prestigious fashion shows. Her face was recognizable worldwide, a symbol of both beauty and success.

The receptionist quickly shifted her attention as Mia entered the lobby.

"Welcome to King's Palace Hotel, ma'am," the receptionist said with a bow, her tone instantly sweet. "How can I serve you?"

Mia smiled briefly, casting a curious glance at Richard before turning back to the receptionist. "Attend to the gentleman first. He was here before me."

The receptionist scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Him? He's a nobody, ma'am. Just some worthless beggar."

Mia's smile faded, and her voice took on a cool, commanding edge. "I said, attend to him."

The receptionist froze, clearly uncomfortable with Mia's firm tone. Reluctantly, she turned to Richard, her face showing barely concealed disdain.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice dripping with annoyance.

Richard met her gaze, his expression calm. "I need a suite. The best one you've got."

The receptionist let out a small, derisive laugh, but it was weaker this time, her confidence clearly shaken. "Do you even know how much a room here costs?"

"I can afford it," Richard said evenly, reaching into his pocket. He made sure the receptionist saw the resolve in his eyes. "And much more."

Mia, watching the entire exchange, smirked slightly, intrigued by Richard's confidence and the subtle power shift.

"A room for a night costs $15,000," the receptionist stated, her gaze fixed on Richard with a mix of skepticism and disgust, as though she expected him to backtrack at any moment.

Richard, however, remained unfazed. "I don't want a casual room. I want the presidential suite, complete with royal treatment."

Mia, who had been observing the interaction, felt her interest piqued at his bold declaration.

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the audacity of this man dressed in a hospital gown, exuding an air of confidence that didn't seem to fit his disheveled appearance. What kind of person could afford such luxury while looking like this?

The receptionist hesitated, momentarily thrown off guard by Richard's request. She glanced at Mia, who was now watching intently, and realized she had to take this man seriously, at least for the moment.

"The presidential suite is priced at $1 million for Tier 1, while Tier 5 will cost you $10 million a night."

"Good," Richard replied with a composed smile, as if the price were nothing more than a mere detail. "I want the Tier 5. I'm paying for a year."

The receptionist's jaw practically dropped. She blinked, as though trying to determine whether she had heard him correctly.

"Excuse me, sir?" she stammered, her previous dismissiveness replaced with stunned disbelief. "You said... for a year?"

Richard leaned casually against the counter, completely unfazed. "That's right. A year. Tier 5, Royal treatment."

The room seemed to freeze in place. Even the other guests and staff who were within earshot couldn't help but glance over, now curious about this man in the hospital attire who was asking to spend such an outrageous sum of money.

Mia's curiosity deepened. She tilted her head, examining Richard more closely. "Is he serious?" she thought. The confident tone in his voice didn't match his scruffy appearance, but something about him told her this wasn't an empty boast.

The receptionist, still trying to compose herself, hesitated. "I-I'll have to speak to the manager for a reservation of this magnitude," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Richard waved a hand nonchalantly. "Please do. But make it quick."

Mia smirked, her intrigue growing. It wasn't every day that someone walked in off the street, dressed as though they had nothing to their name, and requested the most luxurious suite in the city for a year. Richard had managed to captivate her without even trying.

As the receptionist hurried away, Mia stepped a little closer to Richard, her eyes glimmering with interest. "Tier 5 for a year, huh?" she said, her voice smooth. "That's not something you hear every day."

Richard turned to her, meeting her gaze with a calm but unwavering intensity. "I like to stay comfortable," he replied simply.

Mia raised an eyebrow, impressed by his cool demeanor. "You must be someone important, then," she mused, half teasing but clearly fascinated.

Before Mia could pry further, the manager arrived, his face a mixture of shock and respect.

He quickly greeted Richard, no longer viewing him as just another walk-in customer. "Sir, we've prepared everything for your Tier 5 suite," the manager said with utmost professionalism. "We would be honored to have you stay with us."

He continued, "Sir, given the number of days you wish to stay, I can offer you a discount. The total fee for a year would come to $2.5 billion."

Richard raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the staggering amount.

"How would you like to make the payment, sir?" the manager asked, his tone respectful, as if recognizing the weight of the transaction.

Richard turned to Mia, a playful glint in his eyes. "You've been a huge fan of mine, Please allow me to be of service. How long do you plan on staying? I'll cover it for you."

Mia chuckled softly, "Really? You'd do that? But I wouldn't want to take advantage of your generosity."

Richard smiled, his demeanor relaxed. "It's the least I can do to appreciate your great acting skills."

Mia tilted her head, assessing him with intrigue. "Alright then, how about a month?"

Richard nodded, pleased. "A month it is. Let's take care of the payment."

The manager's eyes widened slightly at the exchange, realizing the unexpected turn of events.

Richard's boldness was beginning to draw attention, not just from Mia but from the surrounding guests, all eager to witness the unfolding drama.

"Shall I process the payment now, sir?" the manager inquired, trying to maintain his composure.

"Absolutely," Richard replied, his voice steady. "Let's get this done."

As the manager began the payment process, Mia watched with an amused smile, clearly entertained by the unfolding situation.

"This is going to be interesting," she whispered, intrigued by the enigmatic man standing before her.