But before he could say anything, Daniel spoke again.
"He also gave me some kind of reservation paper. I believe it may be fake."
The older man turned sharply toward him.
"I said, give that back."
Daniel finally handed him the document.
The man folded it carefully and placed it inside his jacket.
One of the security officers looked at the identification again.
Then at the older man.
Then toward the reception desk.
Something about the situation did not feel right.
But Daniel was still talking.
"He doesn't look like any of our guests," Daniel said. "And he refuses to cooperate."
The older man's eyes flashed.
"I have cooperated with every reasonable request."
Daniel ignored the comment.
The second security officer stepped closer.
"Sir, perhaps we should verify the reservation."
Daniel turned toward him.
"I already handled it."
"No," the older man said.
Everyone looked at him.
His voice was still quiet.
But this time, there was authority behind it.
"You did not handle it. You judged me before you knew anything about me."
Daniel scoffed.
The older man continued.
"You could have checked the reservation number. You could have asked for my name. You could have spoken to the manager."
He looked around at the people watching.
"But instead, you chose humiliation."
The words struck harder than Daniel expected.
For the first time, he felt slightly uncertain.
Then he pushed the feeling aside.
"Security will escort you out."
At that exact moment, a woman's voice came from across the lobby.
"What is going on here?"
The crowd parted slightly.
A woman in a dark professional uniform was walking quickly toward them.
Daniel immediately recognized her.
Margaret Collins.
The general manager of the Grand Regent Hotel.
Daniel straightened his posture.
Finally, he thought.
Someone important had arrived.
Someone who would put an end to this embarrassing situation.
But the moment Margaret saw the older man standing in the center of the lobby, she stopped.
Her face changed completely.
And Daniel suddenly realized that something was very wrong.
Margaret Collins had spent fifteen years working in luxury hospitality.
She had handled demanding celebrities, difficult investors, international executives, and guests who believed money gave them the right to treat employees badly.
Very little surprised her anymore.
But the sight of the older man standing near the entrance of the Grand Regent made her freeze.
For one brief second, she simply stared.
Then she walked toward him.
"Sir?"
The entire lobby seemed to fall silent.
The older man smiled.
It was a small, familiar smile.
"Hello, Margaret."
Margaret's eyes widened.
"Oh my God."
Daniel looked between them.
Confusion began to spread across his face.
Margaret stopped directly in front of the older man.
"What are you doing here?"
The man glanced around the lobby.
"I came to check in."
There was a hint of humor in his voice.
But Margaret quickly noticed the security officers.
The crowd.
Daniel.
And the uncomfortable tension hanging in the air.
Her expression became serious.
"What happened?"
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
"Ms. Collins, this man attempted to enter the hotel. I asked him to identify himself, but—"
The older man turned his head toward Daniel.
Margaret followed his gaze.
Then she looked back at Daniel.
"You asked him to identify himself?"
"Yes."
Daniel nodded confidently.
"He had a suspicious reservation document."
Margaret's face tightened.
"And did you check it?"
Daniel hesitated.