Patterson International Hotel Group, headquartered in Dublin, ranks among the largest hotel conglomerates worldwide. Operating close to 300 hotels globally, it employs over 60,000 people across more than 50 countries. Its innovative management strategies have helped it distinguish itself in the competitive hotel industry, evolving into a globally renowned hotel powerhouse.
To everyone's surprise, the group's leader, overseeing such a massive organization, is a young man of just twenty-five—Ricardo Patterson, the sole heir of the original founder, Leonard Patterson.
Outside Patterson International's Dublin headquarters, two lines of receptionists stood ready. Each wore elegant, vintage-style dresses, looking like they’d stepped off a runway, occasionally glancing down the road, eager to catch sight of the legendary "Son of the Dragon."
"He's here!" someone shouted. Instantly, all the managers lined up in front, and the receptionists straightened, showcasing their warmest smiles.
A sleek silver limousine approached slowly, halting at the main entrance of Patterson's headquarters.
The driver, dressed in a crisp light blue uniform, swiftly stepped out to open the door, standing respectfully aside.
With a firm thud, a pair of polished black dress shoes touched the ground, followed by a hand gripping the door handle. Out stepped a young man who seemed straight out of Greek mythology, reminiscent of the sun god Apollo.
His smooth, jet-black hair was perfectly styled, and his features were as finely chiseled as a sculpture, with his eyebrows subtly arched and his sharp eyes glancing up at the hotel sign.
"Welcome back, Mr. Patterson," the managers greeted in unison, bowing respectfully to Ricardo.
Without speaking, Ricardo gave the managers a quick glance, adjusted his cufflinks, and purposefully strode toward the large glass doors of the headquarters, flanked by the managers in order of seniority.
The receptionists immediately bowed, saying, "Welcome back, sir."
The clean, bright glass doors opened automatically as Ricardo entered the company lobby.
Suddenly, a noise came from above as Ricardo walked into the center of the headquarters lobby.
"Watch out!" A shout suddenly pierced the air. A young man in a silver suit, standing next to Ricardo, quickly grabbed him and pushed him aside.
With a shattering crash, a massive crystal chandelier plummeted from the ceiling, smashing onto the floor.
Glass shards scattered everywhere, and the young man in the silver suit used his body to shield Ricardo, urgently pushing him into a nearby executive elevator.
The elevator doors closed firmly and began ascending.
"Phew, that was a close call!" The young man in the silver suit leaned against the elevator wall, exhaling deeply.
Ricardo's finely-featured face showed little change after the scare. He looked toward the man in the silver suit with concern, "Parker, are you alright? Any injuries?"
The man in the silver suit, Parker Franklin, let out a hearty laugh at Ricardo's concern. "Don't worry about me—I'm Parker Franklin. It'll take more than a few shards of glass to take me down!"
Parker Franklin was Patterson International's vice president and essentially Ricardo's right-hand man. Parker's father and Ricardo's father were as close as brothers, having built Patterson Group from the ground up together, so Ricardo and Parker had been childhood friends with an unbreakable bond.
The elevator doors opened, and the two returned to the executive office at the top of the company headquarters.
"What luck today! Just back at the company, and this happens. I think you should lie low for a while, or else something might actually happen to you one of these days," Parker said, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee.
Ricardo sat at his desk, appearing unconcerned. "There's nothing to worry about. Just minor stunts. They wouldn't dare do anything drastic."
Parker nearly spat out his coffee at Ricardo's nonchalance. He leaned over Ricardo's desk, looking serious. "My dear Ricardo, these aren't just minor stunts. If I hadn't pushed you away, you'd have been flattened by that chandelier. And let's not forget the time someone flattened your car tires. They're out to get you!"
With a slight smirk, Ricardo said, "They're nothing more than cowards lurking in the shadows. Do you really think I'm scared of those jokers?"
"Oh, heavens!" Parker held his forehead dramatically. "Haven't you heard the saying, 'It's easy to dodge the arrow you see, but not the one you don't see...?'"
"Instead of lecturing me, why don't you investigate the chandelier incident? If you figure it out, maybe I'll grant you a little wish." Ricardo leaned back in his leather chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Parker's interest piqued instantly. He leaned over Ricardo's desk, winking. "Are you saying you could arrange a dinner with superstar Sierra Holland?"
Sierra Holland was a Dublin-based superstar, known for her stunning beauty and voice as refreshing as a sea breeze. Most notably, she was still single, and many wealthy and powerful figures had tried to woo her without success. Sierra had a strong will and never bent to the influential. Though many had tried, only one person could sway her: Ricardo Patterson.
Years ago, when Sierra needed help the most, Ricardo came to her aid without any conditions, and afterward, he severed all contact. Although Sierra seemed untouchable to most, Ricardo held a special place for her, though he never pursued anything further, even romantically.
"If you help me find out about that chandelier, then yes, I'll consider setting up a dinner with her," Ricardo said, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Deal!" Parker slapped the opulent desk excitedly. "I'll do everything I can to uncover the truth about the chandelier. For Sierra, I won't eat or sleep until I solve this mystery!"
