"Ma'am, how could our respectable hotel possibly attack a guest?"
"Everything this gentleman is saying is a total fabrication; he's just a tourist looking for a quick payout!"
"According to the legally binding contract, we are absolutely not issuing a refund!"
The manager, who was a full half-head shorter than Anika, stood before her still spewing the same corporate rhetoric. But his eyes were glued to Anika's stunning face the entire time, and he secretly swallowed hard, clearly intimidated by her presence.
"I don't care about your excuses. My boyfriend was assaulted by your staff in his own room, and you are going to give us an explanation right now," Anika said, her finger nearly touching the manager's nose, her face filled with sharp indignation.
"I'm speaking to you politely right now. If you continue to lie and make excuses, I will personally ensure this hotel is shut down by sunset!"
"Ma'am, although you are very beautiful, I suggest you don't talk so big." A look of pure contempt appeared on the manager's face. "For an establishment of our size, do you really think we'll close just because a girl says so?"
"Who do you think you are?"
Rahul couldn't bear to listen to the condescension any longer. With eyes blazing with fury, he started to surge toward the manager, ready to settle it physically. But at the critical moment, Anika reached out and stopped him.
"Rahul, step back. I've got this."
With that, Anika pulled out her iPhone and made a call right in front of the manager.
Just then, a deafening siren wailed from the street. Rahul looked out and saw five police SUVs swerving onto the curb, stopping directly at the hotel entrance and effectively blocking the doors. More than a dozen armed police officers piled out and rushed into the lobby.
Such a grand, aggressive display immediately made the hotel manager instinctively stumble back. His heart skipped a beat. For a simple refund dispute, was it really necessary for the cavalry to show up?
Did they think the hotel was a den of terrorists? How did this Indian guy call so many police? What on earth is his identity?!
Before the manager could wrap his head around it, the overweight SHO, leading the team personally and looking incredibly stressed, walked quickly to Rahul. His attitude was extremely respectful, almost bowing as he approached.
"Mr. Rahul, sir! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"Where is the culprit? Where is the person who dared to lay a hand on you? We will ensure you get absolute justice!"
Rahul pointed a cold finger at the manager. "It was the morning receptionist. He's hiding her in the back. Not only does he refuse to admit it, but he's also spent the last ten minutes insulting my character and my country."
"You decide how to handle a man like that."
After Rahul finished, the SHO immediately spun around to look at the manager, his eyes burning with a murderous rage.
"What is wrong with you?! You actually dared to touch Mr. Rahul?"
"Don't you know he is a VVIP under the direct protection of this station? Hand over the girl! Immediately! Right now!"
The manager was physically startled by the SHO's roar. How did this tourist become a VVIP? He's only been in Bangladesh for three days! Realizing no amount of gaslighting would work now, he immediately flipped his personality into fawning mode.
"Sir! We will definitely cooperate! I'll go bring her out right away!"
"Cut the nonsense!" The SHO snapped his fingers. Two officers immediately stepped forward and roughly shoved the manager back into the office. A second later, they dragged out the trembling, crying receptionist who had tackled Rahul.
"Mr. Rahul, is this the one?" the SHO asked respectfully.
Rahul nodded grimly. "That's her."
Having received confirmation, the SHO turned and waved a hand to his men, shouting sternly: "Handcuff her and take her to the station! Seize all the hallway surveillance footage immediately! This is a major diplomatic incident!"
"Yes, sir!"
Two officers flanked the terrified girl and marched her out to the waiting cars. She kept her head down, unable to even look in Rahul's direction.
The manager also lowered his head, standing silently before the SHO. He had completely lost his arrogant swagger, looking like a kicked dog. He was terrified the SHO was going to turn his fury on him next.
But the more you fear something, the faster it arrives.
The SHO pointed a thick finger at the manager and barked, "And you! You blind, arrogant fool!"
"Officer, please! I didn't touch Mr. Rahul! I was just—"
The SHO reached out, pulled a baton from the belt of a nearby officer, and jabbed it sharply into the manager's stomach. The manager immediately curled up like a shrimp, gasping for air.
"You didn't hit him, but you insulted a guest of this country!"
"And you dared to insult Mr. Rahul's motherland!"
Sweating from the pain, the manager suddenly became desperate. He looked at Rahul with pleading eyes. "Mr. Rahul, I am so sorry! Please! Our hotel will refund your entire stay—no, we will pay you triple compensation! Just please tell them to stop!"
Rahul looked at him with a cold, disgusted sneer. "Now you want to talk about money? It's too late for that. I don't want your Taka anymore. You crossed a line when you insulted my country."
The SHO didn't need to hear anything else. He waved his hand impatiently. "Take him to the station as well. Charge him with obstruction and harassment."
"Officer, let me make a call! I need to call the owner!" the manager shrieked as they grabbed him. He believed that with enough bribe money, the owner could bail him out.
But the SHO wasn't listening. His men seized the manager by the arms and dragged him out the door.
"Mr. Rahul, are you satisfied with how we've handled this? Please, whatever you do, don't tell Miss Barua I let this happen, or I'll lose my stripes!"
Just as Rahul was about to speak, Anika, who had finished her phone call, stepped forward.
"Wait. Don't take them away just yet."
Anika walked to Rahul's side, her long legs clicking confidently on the marble. She stopped the officers holding the manager.
The SHO turned to look at Anika, and his brain nearly short-circuited. No way... how has the girl next to Rahul changed again?! And she's even more stunning than the last one! Why have I lived in this city my whole life and never seen beauties like this?
Before he could process it, Anika spoke in a cold, clear voice:
"Inspectors from the Dhaka City Hall are on their way here right now. They are going to shut down and officially seal this hotel for safety and labor violations."
The manager, who was being held near the door, literally slumped to his knees in terror. Finished! I've really kicked a steel plate this time! Even the owner won't be able to bribe his way out of a City Hall shutdown!
The SHO's eyes widened. Summoning City Hall? Who on earth is this woman?
"Ma'am? You said City Hall is coming?" he asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Rahul also looked at Anika with a curious, questioning gaze.
Anika gave a reserved, elegant nod. "That's right. I reported this incident directly to the Mayor's office. He took the assault on a foreign guest very seriously and has ordered an immediate closure and audit. It won't reopen until a full rectification is complete."
The SHO turned to look at Rahul, his eyes filled with absolute, genuine awe.
Rahul, you are a legend, he thought. Not only are the women around you gorgeous, but every single one of them has heaven-reaching connections. The first was a billionaire's daughter, the second was a General's daughter, and this one has the Mayor on speed-dial! He seriously wanted to ask Rahul for a masterclass in how to meet women of this caliber.
"Officer, I'll leave the scene to you. When the City Hall officials arrive, you can handle the hand-off," Anika said, turning back to Rahul and taking his arm. "I'm taking Rahul with me now."