Chapter 39 The Shadow Of Renee Hadn’t Faded Fro…
After the two secretaries had dispersed, Sylvia emerged, her expression stormy and downcast. She had become the subject of ridicule, whispered about in every corner. Despite three years passing, William’s indifference towards marriage only seemed to deepen, the distance between them growing palpable.
It had been three damn years, yet Renee’s presence still loomed over them, like an invisible wall they couldn’t break through. To the outside world, the details remained shrouded in mystery, but Sylvia, who lingered ever close to William, understood the truth, which was now painfully clear. The shadow of Renee hadn’t faded from his heart; his ongoing quest to find her was proof enough.
Things couldn’t go on like this. Sylvia decided it was time to take matters into her own
hands-no matter the cost.
That very evening, William was bound for a business dinner at the Sunflower Restaurant. He loathed such pretentious social rituals and typically evaded them, but tonight, he had no way out.
Midway through the event, Sylvia’s call reached him. Her voice, shaky and urgent, broke through the line, “William! You must come save me… I…”
William’s brow furrowed with concern. “What’s happening? Where are you right now?”
Between sobs, Sylvia responded, “I’m… I’m at the Sunflower Restaurant, dining with clients. They…”
Realizing she was nearby eased his tension slightly. “Which private room are you in?”
Sylvia, her voice a whisper, replied, “I managed to escape to the ladies’ restroom.”
“Stay there. I’m on my way,” William assured her firmly, his tone a mix of worry and
resolve.
Once the call ended, he pushed back his chair, murmured a quick excuse, and stepped out of the private room.
As he made his way toward the restroom area, his pace slowed when he glimpsed a familiar figure slipping into the elevator. The woman, head bowed as if weighed down by thoughts, didn’t notice him. The elevator doors glided shut, severing his view while he was still shell-shocked. And then he snapped out of it and hastened forward, hope fading as the doors sealed completely.
He lingered, frustration mounting, as he watched the elevator climb, the illuminated numbers ticking upward until they halted at the top floor. Driven by a mix of urgency and concern, he jabbed the call button for the next elevator and ascended to confront whatever awaited him. As the elevator hummed upward, he steadied his breathing and sent Denton a quick text to check on Sylvia.
Exiting onto the top floor, he was met with a deserted corridor, the plush carpet and hushed stillness amplifying his solitude. His forehead creased with worry; he was sure of what he’d seen, even if it had been just a fleeting glimpse-a silhouette, a hint of a
face.
He didn’t hesitate, pulling out his phone with a decisive motion. “Bring some men over now to the VIP suites on the top floor of Sunflower Restaurant,” he instructed, his voice. a low command, echoing slightly in the empty space.
Just as he ended the call, his phone buzzed again-Sylvia. Without a second thought, he dismissed the call with a swift tap and positioned himself commandingly by the elevator. A dark, almost palpable aura of menace radiated from him as his piercing eyes surveyed the suite doors along the hallway. Anyone daring to emerge would find
themselves under his intense scrutiny.
In under ten minutes, the calm of the corridor was shattered as a cadre of men clad in
sleek black suits marched in decisively. The staff, taken aback by the assertive intrusion,. scrambled to alert their superiors-these were clearly not men to be underestimated.
The manager, beads of perspiration dotting his forehead, hastened to the upper levels upon hearing of William’s unexpected presence. Upon catching sight of him, the manager’s anxiety only heightened. He approached William with a tentative jog, managing a nervous smile. “Mr. Mitchell, I apologize for not being informed of your visit today. How may I assist you?”
William’s response was curt, almost dismissive. “You’re the manager, correct?”
“Yes, Mr. Mitchell. What can I do for you today?” the manager replied, hoping to mask
his growing unease.
“Being the manager, you must have access to these suites, right?” William probed, his
tone sharp, cutting through the pretense.
The manager hesitated, his dilemma palpable. He possessed the keys, of course, but granting access to the private sanctuaries of the influential guests upstairs could lead to severe repercussions. Yet, facing William’s cold, unyielding stare, he felt his options dwindling.
“Will you unlock the doors, or shall I have my men take over?” William’s voice was icy, his impatience clear, leaving little room for negotiation.
