As he finished speaking, the security chief strode forward, grabbed her arm, and began dragging her away.
"You bastard! Let go of me!" Karina flailed with her free hand, hitting him wildly as she shouted furiously, "You'll regret treating me like this today!"
"Whatever you say," the security chief replied indifferently. "You were disturbing other guests and being verbally abusive-it's clearly your fault. No matter how you twist it, I'm just doing my job. I've done nothing wrong!"
"Hmph! Laugh while you can! Soon, you'll be the one crying!"
She yanked her arm with all her strength, but the chief's grip was firm. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free.
Still struggling, they soon reached the elevator lobby.
While waiting for the elevator, Karina suddenly softened her tone and said, "Hey, Mr. Security, you're gripping my arm so hard it's turning red! It really hurts-can you loosen up a bit so I can massage it?"
The security chief glanced at her warily. "I don't dare let go. Who knows what you'll do? You might pull out a weapon and attack me!"
"Oh, come on! Do I look like I'm carrying anything? I don't even have a bag, and my clothes don't have any big pockets. Where would I hide a weapon?"
The chief looked down. She was wearing simple loungewear-indeed, she didn't seem like someone concealing a weapon.
Seeing his hesitation, Karina quickly put on a sweet smile and pleaded, "Just let me rub my arm for a second, please! My skin is delicate-I really can't handle this kind of rough treatment! If you break my arm, you'll be responsible!"
Her words seemed to sway the security chief.
He pursed his lips and thought for a moment before warning, "Alright, I'll loosen up, but you have to promise to behave and come with me peacefully. If you run, I'll cuff you!"
"Don't worry! I won't run! The hotel's full of surveillance cameras-I wouldn't be able to hide even if I wanted to!"
"Good. As long as you understand that."
The chief nodded and cautiously released his grip.
Karina immediately reached into the only pocket on her shirt.
"What are you doing?" the chief asked suspiciously.
"Relax!" She slowly pulled out a phone and flashed it at him. "Not a weapon-just a phone! Didn't you want to know who I am? I need to call someone to prove my identity."
"You better not try anything funny."
Karina chuckled lightly. Right in front of him, she unlocked her phone and dialed a number.
The phone rang a few times before it was answered.
She gave the chief a sideways glance, then beamed and chirped into the receiver, "Xavier! It's me!"
She spoke loudly, as if she wanted the person next to her to hear every word.
The security chief's face immediately turned pale.
At that moment, Xavier was meticulously reviewing the steps for the hotel's grand opening ceremony.
When he saw Karina calling, he hesitated before answering out of politeness. "Miss Carter, is something the matter?"
Karina glanced at the chief again, pleased, and continued, "I ran into a bit of trouble here. Are you free to come over for a moment?"
"If it's just a small issue, I think you can handle it yourself. I can't leave right now," the man replied bluntly.
Karina's face stiffened with embarrassment.
No way! If Xavier didn't show up, how could she show off in front of this clueless security chief?
"I said it's a small problem because I didn't want you to worry. But actually, I'm in quite a bit of trouble. Xavier, I really need you-can you please come?"
Xavier felt a surge of irritation-every fiber of his being wanted to refuse.
However, he'd promised Dara that she would have plenty of uninterrupted rest. If Karina got upset and stormed off, that would ruin everything.
After thinking it over, he asked, "Miss Carter, can you explain exactly what kind of trouble you're in?"
"I..." She glanced at the security chief and whispered, "I was walking around the hotel, checking things out, when this guard mistook me for some kind of criminal and detained me. I tried explaining, but he wouldn't listen. I had no choice but to call you for help."
"Oh? A security guard? What's his name?"
Karina leaned in and peeked at the name tag on the chief's uniform. "Brody White."
"Alright, I understand. I'll take care of it."
"Then... are you coming?"
"I'm swamped at the moment, sorry. But if it's just a misunderstanding, I'll personally help explain things for you."
"Alright then, thank you!"
"No problem. You're a guest I invited for a vacation-of course I'll help resolve any issues."
After the call ended, Karina swayed her hips smugly and sneered at Brody. "Hear that? I'm a friend of your young master! You're in big trouble for messing with me!"
Brody wiped sweat from his brow but refused to back down. "You did disturb another guest. It was my duty to intervene!"
"Fine! Keep acting tough! Let's see how you explain this to him later!"
Just as she finished speaking, Brody's phone rang in his pocket.
He hurriedly pulled it out. Sure enough, it was a call from Xavier.
"S-Sir!" he stammered, nervousness seeping into his tone.
"Captain White, I just received a call. A guest claims she was merely touring the hotel, and you suddenly showed up and detained her without cause?"
"Sir, that's not what happened!" Brody replied bitterly. "We received a complaint from the guest in Room 3601 saying someone was harassing them outside their door. That's why I came to check it out!"
Xavier's brows furrowed. "What?! The complaint came from Room 3601?"
***