The woman who had previously screamed at Riko was now hysterically summoning the security of the Mercure Hotel, her cries mirroring one possessed by rage and emotion.
When had they ever been scorned like this in Emerald City, especially since her boyfriend's family hailed from its illustrious circles?
Young Master Sanggoro had been struck to the ground by a poor man in outdated attire, an affront to the Sanggoro family's honor.
Upon seeing the arrival of three security officers from outside, Lina Hararat glimpsed a ray of hope.
"Sir, arrest that village man! He dared to hit Young Master Sanggoro," Lina demanded, irritation infusing her voice.
Riko, indicated by Lina, could only respond with a wry smile, baffled by people's arrogance and pride bolstered merely by family power.
The hotel's security glanced from Lina to Riko, Alda, and the others, intending to apprehend them but hampered by their outnumbered circumstance, and thus they opted for dialogue first.
"What seems to be the matter, miss?" inquired one of the hotel security officers.
Appearing to be the leader of his companions, he took the initiative to speak first.
"Sir, he slapped my boyfriend! He must be arrested and punished severely for indiscriminate violence!" Lina retorted bitterly.
Though wealthy herself, she paled in comparison to the Sanggoro family; hers was a family of artists not yet widely recognized.
However, Lina's beauty caught the attention of Rudi Sanggoro, the affluent young master, leading to their courtship.
The lead security officer felt uncertain, eventually deciding to involve the law enforcement of Emerald City.
"Sir, you have violated the laws of this land by striking another without cause. Please accompany us to the security station to clarify this matter to the authorities," the leader of the Mercure Hotel security informed them.
"He deserved the strike!" Riko blurted out, his anger reignited.
"Sir, my friend had every right to strike his vile mouth, spewing insults at us with ease!" Tama interjected.
Alda, who had been about to speak, held back after Tama took the lead, only for Riko to voice his thoughts forcefully again.
"If you lack strength, don't demean others, for those you insult may not be weaker!" Riko's words held deep implications.
Thus, the floor-bound Rudi Sanggoro, stunned momentarily, regained composure.
"Darling, quickly seek help from your family! The security here fails to maintain order," whined Lina to Rudi.
Gritting his slightly dislodged teeth, pain intensifying in his mouth and swollen cheek, Rudi reached for his phone to call a certain number. Upon confirmation, he placed the call.
The voice on the other end was ingratiating. "Young Master Sanggoro, what do you require of me? Is there something I might resolve?"
That voice's flattery nurtured a cunning smile on Rudi's face.
"Marko, send your men to the Mercure Hotel now, and do not delay! Someone dares to provoke me. Quick!" Rudi commanded with anger.
Before the person could reply, Rudi ended the call, stood up, and glared towards Riko and company.
"Don't even think about escaping; I've called my people! It'd be futile; I will find you wherever you go!" boasted Rudi Sanggoro anew.
Having grown up coddled, his body weakened by hedonistic pursuits, he had no option but to rely on his influence.
"If you won't act, I will report this to the hotel manager! Just you wait," threatened Rudi to the security team.
"Sir, please—we are just ordinary security! Do not report us to the manager!" the leader of the hotel security lamented.
The trio were hotel security stationed at the entrance; accustomed to encounters with dignitaries, they were unprepared for such an incident of physical altercation—usually, verbal spats were contained and more easily mediated, but this was an exception.
"I don't care!" Riko dismissed.
"I shall book a room now; do you concern yourselves with that fool!" Riko retorted, his interest in the feeble no longer present.
He approached the reception desk; a short distance did not prevent the two lovely receptionists of the Mercure Hotel from witnessing the fray, though they had remained behind the counter, uninvolved.
"Welcome, sir. How may we assist you?" the receptionist inquired amiably, balancing professional obligation with caution due to Riko's daring act of striking the young master.
"We would like to book the Penthouse Suite; please reserve it for us!" Riko requested of the hotel receptionist.
"Sir, are you certain you wish to reserve that room?" questioned the other hotel receptionist.
"Is the room occupied?" Riko probed for clarity.
"No, sir, we'll prepare it right away!" responded the first receptionist, nudging her colleague to avoid unnecessary queries.
Realizing her gaffe, her colleague smiled apologetically, surmising Riko held power, although his group's attire appeared tattered—relics of branded clothes that were over three years old and daily worn, even throughout their descent from the mountain.
"Use this for the reservation! Just one day is enough," Riko stated, presenting a credit card from his family.
"Of course, sir. Just a moment, we will process this for you!" assured the wary receptionist, seizing the black credit card that seemed vaguely familiar—a card she had seen warrant direct service from the lobby manager.
Once the transaction succeeded, revealing Riko Setiadi as the cardholder, she was taken aback by the ease with which the costly room was booked. Though unfamiliar with the Setiadi family, she simply returned the card and requested Rudi's signature.
"Here you go, sir. Your room is ready! A Mercure Hotel staff member will escort you to the reserved room."
Riko glanced at Alda and the group, eager to head to their arranged accommodation. As they stepped away, a voice from behind halted them.
"Wait, where do you think you're going?" the voice called out from their rear.
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