Chapter 26
The night was pitch black, the golden sign of Houston Grand Hotel glaringly bright against the darkness.
Stella Valentine clenched her phone, her knuckles turning white.
She had been pacing outside the hotel entrance for a full hour.
Her phone screen lit up again—another payment reminder from the hospital.
"Ms. Valentine, your mother's medical bills can't be delayed any longer."
She took a deep breath and looked up at the top floor of the hotel.
Room 1231.
The elevator doors slid open silently, the door at the end of the hallway looming like a beast with gaping jaws.
Ding-dong—
The chime of the doorbell made her heart pound so hard it nearly leapt out of her chest.
"Come in."
A deep male voice carried through the door, laced with undeniable command.
The room was pitch black.
Stella groped along the wall, her fingertips brushing against cold wallpaper.
"Close the door."
The man's voice came from the depths of the darkness.
Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, outlining a vague silhouette.
"Sir, I—"
"Scared?" The man chuckled. "Now that you're here, drop the act."
Stella bit her lower lip.
She knew exactly what this meant.
"My daughter—"
"I can give you both the money and your daughter," the man interrupted. "Come here."
The sofa creaked faintly.
Stella stood frozen in place.
"Do I need to repeat myself a third time?"
She took a step forward but stopped two meters away from him.
"Sit."
The single-syllable command sent chills down her spine.
Her phone suddenly rang.
"Answer it."
The man abruptly closed the distance, his cologne mixed with the scent of tobacco enveloping her.
"Hello?"
"Is Adrian with you?" Lily Savigny's shrill voice pierced the silence.
Stella tightened her grip on the phone. "Afraid now?"
"Don't you dare say anything reckless!"
"The truth from six years ago—"
"Shut up!" Lily's voice cracked. "He... he's really there?"
Stella curled her lips. "Would you like to speak to him?"
The line went dead.
In the darkness, the man's fingers brushed against her cheek.
"Well done."