However, there was still one significant roadblock in his path: he lacked a formal education. All the knowledge and skills he possessed hadn’t come through conventional schooling. They were self-taught, gained through careful observation and hands-on experience over the years. This lack of formal qualifications meant that securing a decent-paying job would not be an easy task.

David recalled his time at the pub, where he used to wash dishes. The owner, Mike, had always been kind to him, treating him with a respect that he didn’t often experience. Over time, he had grown familiar with the bartenders who, between serving customers and sharing stories, had taught him how to make most of the drinks on the menu.

Perhaps he could approach Mike and ask for a chance to work as a bartender. He knew the job wouldn’t be easy, but he already learned many of the required skills. More importantly, he was eager to learn and improve and was not afraid of hard work.

A pang of frustration came over Melanie as she was awakened by the shrill complaints of her mother, Shiela. It hadn’t even been a day since David left. Yet, somehow, Shiela had already plunged the house into a state of chaos with her loud and dramatic monologues.

The house echoed with Shiela’s voice, her sharp words slapping the walls, depriving Melanie of the sleep she desperately needed. The thuds and thumps of furniture being kicked were easy enough to ignore, but the shattering cups and plates were a different story. Despite her efforts to tune out the noise, Melanie couldn’t fall asleep. By afternoon, she had barely managed to snatch a few moments of rest, her mind and body drained of energy.

Even so, the prospect of another night shift at Brook’s Convenience Store was, ironically, a relief. Working at the store meant getting away from the turmoil at home, her mother’s relentless tirades, and the emptiness that David’s absence had left behind. The convenience store, with its pleasant customers and comforting hum of refrigerators, was a sanctuary amidst the storm that her life had become.

David sank into the cozy seating area by the window, his mind a whirlwind of incredulity. The luxury suite, the free meals, the new phone—it was all too much, too sudden. It was almost as if he had stepped into a dream that was too good to be true.

And then there was Mr. Atlas, the hotel manager. The man was a mystery, an enigma wrapped in a professional demeanor. Despite his initial suspicion, David couldn’t shake off the feeling that Mr. Atlas was genuine. His concern seemed real. There was a warmth in his gaze, a sincerity in his words that spoke of a man who cared about David’s well-being.

But why? Why would a hotel manager go out of his way to help a stranger? Why would he offer a luxury suite for free, provide meals, and even gift a new phone?

To protect David, Ben erased all public records of his existence. It had required careful planning and meticulous execution, but it was a necessary precaution to safeguard David’s life. He had even relocated David miles away to the outskirts of Dalton, far from the Hall family empire and any enemies who sought to kill its heir. It bought David time, time to grow into his role, time to prepare for the enormous responsibilities that lay ahead. Although things had gone awry when Shiela Bringer adopted David, it had worked out in the end; David was safe.

But, deep down, Ben knew that playing with identities and records would only provide a temporary shield. The real danger was far from over. His office was a testament to his relentless pursuit of the truth. Stacks of documents, photos, and notes filled every available space, each piece a part of the puzzle he was determined to solve. Every day was a battle against time, a race to uncover the truth before the shadow of the past reached David.

Beneath that determination was a seed of fear: a fear that, despite his best efforts, he might not be able to protect David from the unseen enemy; a fear that he was not doing enough. Yet, he kept these fears to himself. He had to. Until the culprit was caught or killed, Ben would remain vigilant. 

This was no ordinary room. It was a suite; not just any regular suite, but the epitome of luxury. Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows provided a panoramic view of the city below, bathing the room in soft, natural light. One of the rooms was blocked off, presumably for the remodeling, but the rest of the suite looked completely finished. There weren’t any furnishings other than a king-sized bed, a coffee table, and a few armchairs, but the few pieces that were there were clearly high-end, their elegant designs speaking of refined taste and quality craftsmanship. Everything screamed extravagance and comfort.

David felt completely out of place. This was beyond magnificent compared to the small, cramped room he had been used to.

Seeing his astonishment, the receptionist chuckled nervously.

“I know it’s a bit bare,” she acknowledged, sounding strangely apologetic. “Like I said before, it’s currently being remodeled to include some additional amenities. But, until the remodeling work resumes, it’s all yours.”

As David approached the Rising Phoenix Hotel, he couldn’t help but stand in awe of its design. Giant walls of gleaming glass and polished steel shimmered in the light of the late afternoon sun. Towering columns of stone, each one the size of a tree, flanked the entryway. Accents of gold and redwood lined the walls and ceiling. Walking closer, he noticed a large brass phoenix embedded in the center of the giant glass doorway. He had never seen a building so beautiful and intimidating.

Before he could enter, one of the uniformed staff grabbed one of the phoenix’s wings and pulled the glass door open for him, revealing that the glass door was nearly a foot thick. This hotel seemed to be built like a fortress.

David stepped out into the early morning light, the cool breeze brushing against his face, a small, worn-out bag slung over his shoulder. He looked around, taking in the familiar sights one last time. It was the home he had grown up in, the place he had shared countless memories with Melanie. But now, it was time for him to leave it all behind.

She waited for a moment, expecting to hear the familiar shuffling of David’s feet, the soft murmur of his apology. But the house remained eerily quiet, except for the clock’s ticking that grew louder and more pronounced in David’s absence.

The silence irked her. She was not used to being ignored, especially not by David. Confused and irritated by his apparent disobedience, Shiela decided to take matters into her own hands. Marching down the hallway, her mind was already forming a string of reprimands for David’s lack of response.