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!"

The president of the Royal Falcon Hotel Group, Ricardo Patterson, had just returned from his overseas trip when he narrowly avoided being hit by a crystal chandelier that suddenly plummeted in the hotel lobby. Thanks to Parker Franklin, the deputy manager, Ricardo sidestepped the disaster. "If you can get to the bottom of what happened with the chandelier, maybe I'll play matchmaker for you," Ricardo said with a playful grin, his gaze fixed on Parker.

"Deal! That's a promise!" Parker exclaimed enthusiastically, slapping his hand on the ornate desk in front of him. "For Suzy's sake, I'll get to the bottom of this chandelier mystery, even if it means skipping meals and sleep!"

Seeing Parker's determination, Ricardo sighed lightly and said, "If you showed this much enthusiasm in your regular duties, it'd save me a lot of headaches."

Parker chuckled, "You know I perform best when I'm free. The more pressure there is, the less productive I become."

"Well, there's no pressure this time, but if you don't start investigating soon, I might reconsider what I said," Ricardo teased, his tone icy yet amused.

Parker quickly saluted and said, "Yes, boss! I'm on it, finding out why that chandelier fell. Expect my report soon!" With that, Parker dashed out of Ricardo's office.

Watching Parker's hurried departure, Ricardo shook his head slightly, realizing the influence Suzy had over Parker. He made a mental note to leverage this motivation in the future.

As Ricardo pondered ways to boost Parker's work ethic, a beeping sound filled the office from the plasma screen on the wall. He furrowed his well-groomed brows slightly before picking up the remote to turn on the screen.

An elegantly dressed middle-aged woman appeared, her expression tense and worried. "Ricardo, are you okay? I heard about the incident right after you got back—it scared me half to death!" she said, her kind eyes filled with concern as they locked onto Ricardo.

With a reassuring smile, Ricardo said, "Mom, don't worry about it. It's nothing serious, just a chandelier falling. I'm perfectly fine."

The woman on the screen was Lilah Patterson, Ricardo's mother and widow of the former president, Reginald Patterson. Sadly, Reginald had passed away due to health issues, leaving Ricardo as her only child. Lilah poured all her love and concern into Ricardo, constantly worrying about his safety.

"A falling chandelier is no small issue! It happened the moment you returned to headquarters—there must be some sinister plot afoot!" Lilah declared with anxiety. "Ricardo, please, just stay away from headquarters for a while, alright?"

Ricardo rose from his swivel chair and stepped closer to the screen. "Mom, I'm fine, as you can see. No harm was done," he reassured her with a smile.

"My dear son, waiting until something happens is too late," Lilah lamented. "There are people lurking in the shadows. You might dodge one incident, but you can't hide forever. Please, take some time off at home, okay?"

Ricardo maintained his smile, "Mom, you know I face challenges head-on. Retreating over a fallen chandelier would be out of character, and it'd become fodder for gossip among the staff."

"I couldn't care less about gossip! To me, these businesses are nothing compared to your safety. I only want you safe and sound, that's all," Lilah insisted emotionally. "You're my only child—what would I do if anything happened to you?" She quickly wiped away her tears with a tissue.

Ricardo felt the warmth of her care. "Mom, I've been through a lot and I'm still standing, right? This time won't be any different. I'll find out who's behind it and won't rest until I do."

Seeing his steadfastness, Lilah knew there was no changing his mind. She sighed, as she'd expected this. "Ricardo, since that's the case, I won't push further. But there's one thing you must agree to."

Aware that his mother's plans often led to awkward situations, Ricardo listened patiently. "Okay, Mom. What's your proposal?"

Wiping her tears, Lilah said, "I've arranged for a bodyguard to watch over you full-time."

Here we go again, Ricardo thought. He'd lost track of how many inept bodyguards she'd hired over the years. However, this time he chose not to dismiss her idea, having turned down her concerns too often before.

"Alright, I agree. But tell me more about this bodyguard so I can be prepared to work together," Ricardo replied warmly.

Surprised at his immediate acceptance, Lilah asked, "You really mean it, Ricardo?"

Ricardo nodded, "Absolutely, Mom. You're just looking out for me. Why would I object?"

Overjoyed by his agreement, Lilah's eyes filled again with tears, which she wiped away quickly. "So, about this bodyguard—tell me, who are they?" Ricardo prompted, keen to keep the conversation moving.

Lilah responded calmly, "This bodyguard is quite remarkable—a legendary figure and someone you've always admired."

Ricardo's eyes narrowed with interest. "You can't mean... Adan Bradley?"

"Yes, exactly!" Lilah confirmed with excitement.

The mention of Adan's name sparked excitement in Ricardo. As a child, he'd been captivated by martial arts, especially the combat skills of Adan Bradley, known for taking down notorious hitmen. Adan had retired after a mishap on a case and disappeared from the public eye.

"How do you know Adan Bradley, Mom? You've never mentioned him before!" Ricardo asked, his curiosity growing.

"Twenty years ago, your father and I found him unconscious on a raft during a yacht trip. We saved him, and he promised to help us if we ever needed it," Lilah explained. "I hesitated to trouble him, but you are too important to me."

Ricardo was moved by her words, realizing the extraordinary connection to his childhood hero. "When is he arriving? I can't wait to meet him!"

Lilah, relieved by his enthusiasm, replied, "We've arranged for him to come today. Make sure the staff treats him with the utmost respect."

"I will, Mom. I'll handle it," Ricardo assured her, his anticipation growing for Adan Bradley's arrival.

Ricardo Patterson felt a thrill of anticipation at his mother's revelation. He had never imagined his family had a connection with the legendary "Ultimate Bodyguard," Adan Bradley, a figure he had idolized during his childhood. This news sparked a burning desire to meet Adan. Patricia Patterson reminded Ricardo to ensure his staff treated Adan with the utmost respect. "Alright, Mom, I'll make sure of it," Ricardo assured her, as the excitement of Adan's impending arrival grew within him.

Understanding her son's hectic life, Patricia added reluctantly, "Okay, Ricardo, that's all I wanted to say. Take care of your work and remember to stay safe."

Ricardo nodded with a grin, "I know, Mom. No need to worry about me. I'll be careful. Goodbye."

As the screen dimmed, Ricardo softly repeated Adan's name, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Adan... things are about to get interesting."

Parker Franklin's voice suddenly echoed from outside the office, full of enthusiasm, "Ricardo, I found out why the chandelier fell!" Parker burst into the room unannounced, and Ricardo raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, couldn't you knock first?" Ricardo teased him.

"Okay, okay, I’ll step out and come back properly," Parker chuckled, pretending to leave.

With a slight eyebrow raise and a laid-back tone, Ricardo said, "Alright, just spill what you've found out."

Parker's demeanor turned serious as he explained, "I checked the chandelier. Someone messed with the top chain, removing a screw. It seems the cleaning crew was prepping the chandelier for your return, and that's when someone tampered with it."

Ricardo's expression grew serious. "Have you checked the list of cleaning personnel? Who was in charge of the chandelier?"

Parker shrugged. "I asked around, and they all claimed they didn't know each other well, assuming everyone was hired by the same company."

"Wasn't there a record of their personal details?" Ricardo was frustrated. It was mandatory for all staff to sign in at security due to the importance of the headquarters.

His frustration wasn't with his staff's oversight allowing an intruder, but their failure to follow protocol. Seeing Ricardo's irritation, Parker explained with a grin, "Don't worry. Of course, we have records. Who would dare ignore an order from Ricardo Patterson? But the culprit outsmarted us. They knocked out a legitimate cleaner after they’d signed in, then impersonated him to sneak in. We found the real cleaner in a dumpster, but luckily, he was just knocked out, not harmed."

Ricardo's tension eased a bit. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, "This assassin knows their stuff—not like those amateurs. But didn't anyone else notice something off?"

Parker replied, "No, everyone was busy with their tasks. The imposter was dealing with the chandelier, so nobody paid special attention."

With concern, Parker added, "You need to be cautious. This assassin isn’t just anyone. A simple slip could be deadly."

Ricardo waved off the concern with a casual smile, "Don’t worry. I’ve hired a professional bodyguard to tackle the assassin."

"A professional bodyguard?!" Parker was taken aback, rubbing his ear as if questioning his hearing. "Ricardo, am I hearing this right? You've always hated the idea of having someone guard you."

Ricardo's smile was self-assured. "You have to adapt to the situation. I don’t trust just anyone with my life, but this person is different. He’s the ‘Ultimate Bodyguard,’ someone I admire. I’m sure he can handle any so-called professional assassins."

Parker, who knew Ricardo well, was surprised at his decision to hire a bodyguard. "Someone trustworthy enough for that? Hard to believe."

Looking directly at Parker, Ricardo joked, "Aren't you someone I trust with my life?"

Parker laughed, "Hearing something like that from Ricardo Patterson? Are you buttering me up?"

Ricardo coolly replied, "If you don’t believe me, I can show you." Opening a drawer, he pulled out a sleek, ivory object resembling a small gun.

Parker's face drained. "Ricardo, is that what I think it is?"

Ricardo nodded, smiling. "Yes, it is. With the danger lurking, I need protection. Don’t worry, this weapon is registered legally."

Parker chuckled, "The Patterson influence can secure something like this in a city like London. Maybe I should get one too."

Ricardo's voice turned serious, "Do you think it's easy to get one of these? In a city with strict gun laws, you need strong connections."

"Just kidding," Parker raised his hands defensively, "I wouldn’t actually get one." Then, shifting back to the main topic, he asked, "So, who is this incredible bodyguard?"

Ricardo's face brightened, "He's supposed to arrive today. You'll see him soon—definitely unforgettable."

Ricardo gazed out the expansive glass window behind him, eyes narrowed with anticipation, eager for the dramatic moment to unfold.

At Adan Bradley's private residence, Malayah Smith awoke late, worn out from a sleepless night filled with worry. As she crawled out of bed, she noticed the pillow was damp. In the mirror, she saw her swollen, red eyes—a testament to the tears she’d shed and her deep frustration with the situation.

Stripping off her nightwear, Malayah stood bare, hoping the air would ease her tension. Resolving to face the day boldly, she decided to emulate Adan’s style if she was going to step into his shoes. She didn’t want to seem vulnerable or out of her element.

She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a black suit she had intended as a gift for Adan. Given yesterday’s events, she decided to keep it for herself. The suit fit reasonably well, even if a bit loose. Combined with shiny black shoes and sleek sunglasses, she finished her look with hair gel to keep her hair in place.

Though her hair wasn’t long, it did the job. After all, many artistic bodyguards these days embraced unique styles.