Ding dong! Ding dong! The doorbell continued to ring.
Serena forced herself up and staggered over.
As she walked, she grumbled, "What's up with Xavier? He knows I'm sleeping, so why is he sending someone over with stuff now? It's not even mealtime. What's he delivering anyway?!"
Convinced that it was just hotel staff bringing something up, Serena let her guard down completely-she didn't even think to ask who was outside the door.
Casually pulling the handle, the door opened, and the backward momentum almost caused her to lose her balance. She had to grab the doorframe to steady herself.
Yawning, without even lifting her eyelids, she lazily asked, "What are you delivering?"
"So it's you!"
A sour female voice pierced her ears. Serena instantly snapped to attention and looked outside in alarm.
Karina stood with her arms crossed, a mocking smile on her face and an arrogant air, glancing sideways at Serena.
"Miss Carter," Serena quickly straightened up, standing tall and calm, "What brings you here?"
Karina looked her up and down, sneering at the wrinkled clothes she wore. "Looking like a poor thing-how can you afford to stay in such a luxurious suite? Who even paid for this room for you?!"
Serena glanced down and frowned slightly at her creased blouse. She had drunk too much earlier and forgot to change into her pajamas before sleeping.
"Don't bother looking," Karina snorted, "That cheap little shirt of yours-it's obvious from the style that it's worth nothing."
Serena looked up and chuckled, replying, "Miss Carter, as expected from someone born into a wealthy family. You look down on anything not from a luxury brand. Still, however cheap it may be, it's mine. Whether I look at it or not-what business is that of yours?"
"You-!" Karina had expected flattery, not a comeback. Her temper flared instantly.
"This room is way too extravagant. Someone like you-a lowly commoner-shouldn't be living here! If you had any self-awareness, you'd pack up and leave!"
Despite the harsh words, Serena didn't show the slightest hint of anger.
Smiling faintly, she asked, "So what you mean is... you deserve to stay here, and I don't?"
"Of course!" Karina said proudly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Our Carters has been wealthy for generations. Only someone with my noble status is worthy of a room like this!"
"Oh," Serena responded calmly. "Well then, after I've had enough of it and check out, if you'd like, you can move in and stay for a few days."
"What? What do you mean by that?!" Karina's arrogance flared again. She pointed at Serena as if ready to fight. "Are you telling me to stay in your leftovers?!"
"If you insist on thinking of it that way, I guess that's fine too," Serena said nonchalantly. "Anyway, I've prepaid for many days, and I'm not leaving until my time's up."
Serena wasn't above being shameless-she just usually didn't bother. But since it was Karina who started it, she wasn't about to back down.
So what if it came down to a battle of who could be more thick-skinned?
Karina was so furious her face turned red. She gritted her teeth and demanded, "Then tell me-how many days have you prepaid for?!"
"Well..." Serena frowned.
It wasn't that she didn't want to say-it was that she honestly didn't know. Xavier had made the arrangements and only told her they were going on vacation. He hadn't mentioned how long they'd be staying.
"What?!" Seeing her hesitate, Karina sneered, "Let me guess-you only paid for one day, can't afford to stay any longer, and now you're too embarrassed to admit it?"
"Heh," Serena tilted her chin and smiled confidently. "Of course not! I've just paid for so many days I can't remember the exact number."
"Oh please!" Karina scoffed. "With your shabby look, how could you possibly afford a long stay?! If you're going to lie, at least be realistic!"
"If you don't believe me, go ask the front desk yourself," Serena said, yawning again.
She really had no energy for this nonsense-she still hadn't slept enough and was desperate to go back to bed.
"If you're not here for anything important, please leave. This room belongs to me right now, and I'm going back to enjoy it."
With that, she took a few steps back into the suite and was about to close the door.
"Wait!" Karina quickly reached out to block it.
"What now?!"
"I heard the presidential suite upstairs is even more luxurious than an actual presidential residence. I want to take a look inside!"
Serena couldn't take it anymore.
Who gave Karina the confidence to act so entitled while making a request?
She had zero patience left for her antics.
With a sharper tone, she said, "Sorry, but until I check out, this is my private space."
Then she raised her hand to close the door again.
Karina stuck her foot in the doorframe to block it.
"Private space? So what? It's not like you own this suite-you're just staying here for a few days! The room still belongs to the X Group!"
"Right! So what? You're from the Carters. This room belongs to the Blaze family. I don't see how that has anything to do with you."
"Hmph!" Karina smirked and said smugly, "Maybe not now, but soon-it just might!"
Staring at her smug, delusional face, Serena found her increasingly unbearable.
While Karina wasn't paying attention, Serena suddenly shoved her out. Caught off guard, Karina stumbled backward out of the room.
Seizing the opportunity, Serena slammed the door shut-BANG!
Outside, angry shouting erupted.
"Serena, you little bitch! You dare lock me out?! Open up! No matter what, I have to see that presidential suite today!"
Serena simply shrugged and turned to go back to the bedroom.
She picked up the landline by the bedside and dialed the hotel's security department directly.
***