Chapter 3

The next afternoon, Alyssa pulled up to the glittering entrance of the Grand Hyatt. She was on a rickety electric scooter that squeaked with every rotation of its wheels, wearing a faded hoodie and jeans.

Her scooter was an island of poverty in a sea of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

A doorman in white gloves approached immediately. His smile was professional, but his eyes were full of contempt.

"Ma'am, this is a private entrance. Deliveries use the service alley."

"I'm not making a delivery," Alyssa said calmly. "I have an appointment with Mr. Kelley."

The doorman looked her up and down, then laughed as if she'd told the funniest joke in the world. "Mr. Kelley's meeting? Do you even know who he is? Do you have an appointment?"

"The appointment was made under a specific reference," Alyssa replied, her voice flat. "Go tell him 'The Surgeon' is here."

The doorman's laughter grew louder. He thought she was a cosplayer, or mentally ill. He spoke into his wrist radio, calling for the head of security.

A large, imposing man in a black suit appeared.

"We've got a vagrant trying to crash Mr. Kelley's event," the doorman said. "Says her name is 'The Surgeon'."

The security chief fixed Alyssa with a hard stare. "Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises immediately. If you refuse, we will call the police and have you arrested for trespassing."

Alyssa's brow furrowed in annoyance. She pulled out her phone, about to message Helena.

Just then, a group emerged from the hotel's revolving doors. It was Dalton Kelley's sister, Tansy, leaning on the arm of a stern-looking woman, his housekeeper, Mrs. Pemberton.

Upstairs, in a penthouse suite, Dalton himself was growing impatient. He was surrounded by the world's leading medical experts, and none of them had a viable solution. He kept checking his watch. He was waiting for the mysterious Surgeon.

Down at the entrance, the security chief reached out to grab Alyssa's arm, to physically escort her away.

Alyssa moved. It wasn't a big movement, just a slight shift of her weight. The guard's hand closed on empty air, his momentum carrying him forward into a clumsy stumble.

He flushed with anger, thinking she was mocking him. He squared his shoulders, preparing to use force.

"I'll say it one more time," Alyssa said, her voice dropping a degree, becoming as cold as ice. "I am here for the medical consultation. If Dalton Kelley misses his sister's only chance at survival because of your stupidity, you can't afford the consequences."

Her sudden authority made them hesitate, but her clothes were a powerful argument against her words.

Mrs. Pemberton noticed the commotion. She hated scenes.

"Stay here, Miss Kelley," she said to Tansy. "I'll handle this." She started walking toward the entrance, her steps radiating an air of superiority.

At that exact moment, a pink Maserati screeched to a halt at the curb.

The door flew open and Kandy Valdez stepped out, dripping in designer labels. She was here for an influencer party, hoping to snag a rich husband.

Then she saw Alyssa, surrounded by security. Her face twisted into a mask of shock, followed by pure, malicious glee.

"Oh my god!" Kandy shouted, her voice loud and theatrical, ensuring everyone could hear. "Is that my sister? The one we kicked out? It's only been a day! Are you already begging for money at hotel entrances?"