Chapter 5

Cari drove her right foot forward with explosive force.

Her boot slammed into the heavy mahogany door.

A deafening crash echoed through the room as the double doors flew open, slamming violently against the inside walls.

The soft jazz music playing in the VIP room was instantly drowned out. The air in the room froze.

Every head snapped toward the entrance.

They stared in shock at the girl standing there in a uniform that was too small for her.

Hamlin's hand jerked.

The dark red wine in his glass splashed out, staining the front of his expensive white shirt.

When Hamlin realized it was Cari, the blood drained completely from his face. His knees buckled, and he almost slid out of his chair.

Harper Zamora raised her eyebrows in surprise, but quickly covered her mouth to hide a malicious smirk.

Cody Boggs was the first to react. He slammed his hands on the table and stood up.

"Are you crazy?" Cody yelled. "You have no manners, you psycho!"

Cari kept her face completely blank.

She walked into the room with steady, heavy steps. She moved like she owned the building.

She walked straight up to Hamlin and slammed the heavy silver tray down onto the center of the table.

The impact shook the wood. Several crystal glasses tipped over, shattering into pieces.

The girls at the table screamed and pulled back from the flying glass.

Hamlin stuttered, his eyes darting around the room.

"Cari, I... I'm just here working part-time as a wine promoter," Hamlin lied, his voice shaking. He pulled at his suit cuffs nervously.

Cari let out a cold, sharp laugh. Her eyes dropped to the Rolex on his wrist.

"A wine promoter wearing a Rolex?" Cari asked, her voice cutting through the room like a knife.

She didn't give him a chance to speak. She repeated exactly what she had heard through the door.

She exposed his lies, word for word, detailing how he acted like a dog licking Harper's boots.

Hamlin's face turned a dark, furious red.

He reached out, trying to grab Cari's shoulder to force her to shut up.

Cari's eyes narrowed.

She swung her hand back and slapped him across the left cheek with all her strength.

The sharp crack of the slap echoed loudly in the silent room.

Five bright red finger marks instantly appeared on Hamlin's pale skin.

The room went dead silent. No one could believe the weak, pathetic fake daughter just hit someone.

Cari looked down at Hamlin, who was holding his face in shock.

"We're done," Cari said, her voice like ice. "Take your fake life and get out of my sight."

Harper stood up, playing the victim.

"Cari, you are poor and violent," Harper said, shaking her head. "You never deserved Hamlin."

Cari turned her cold stare to Harper.

"You enjoy eating garbage and feeling superior about it?" Cari mocked. "You two are a perfect match."

Harper's face twisted in anger. Her body shook.

"Security!" Harper screamed, pointing at Cari. "Throw this trash out!"

Trina finally ran into the room, breathing heavily. She saw the shattered glass and spilled wine.

Trina screamed.

"You ruined the hotel's reputation!" Trina yelled, pointing her finger in Cari's face. "You are paying for all of this!"

Cari looked at Trina with pure disgust.

She reached up, untied the cheap bow tie around her neck, and ripped the server apron off her waist.

She threw the apron directly into Trina's face.

"I quit," Cari stated loudly.

She turned around and walked out of the room with long, powerful strides, leaving the group staring after her in stunned silence.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, her phone let out a sharp ping.

She pulled it out. The GigMatch app showed her shift was terminated and the twenty cents were deposited.

A second later, the golden Wealth Unlock Protocol banner flashed across her screen.

[COMMAND COMPLETE. $2,000 AVAILABLE FUNDS UNLOCKED.]