Chapter 393


    Chapter 393


    “Russel, you and Ms. Finch seem to be getting along pretty well!” Karina initiated a conversation with


    us.


    Russel didn’t deny it, but instead countered, “You and Neil are on good terms too, aren’t you?”


    “It’s okay. After all, we’ve been apart for so long, there are many things that need to be rekindled. But


    it’s okay,” Karina smoothed over her still damp hair. Her voice was soft and soothing. “We had a


    foundation. We didn’t split up voluntarily. So, we’ll cherish this hard-won reconciliation. Besides, the kid


    is important. We have to


    think about him too.”


    With that, Karina patted Hiram on the head, “Hiram, go practice your handwriting. Mommy will stay


    here and enjoy the breeze.”


    Hiram obediently turned and went back to the room.


    I didn’t want to stick around listening to Russel and Karina’s chat. So, I excused myself, “You guys


    carry on. I’m going for a shower.”


    “All right.” Russel replied gently, “I’lle and blow-dry your hairter.”


    I didn’t think it was necessary, but I nodded anyway. Russel’s eyes instantly brightened.


    After a quick shower, I changed and went back to the balcony only to find that Russel was gone. He


    was not on the balcony, nor in the room.


    I was a bit puzzled but also a little relieved. That way, I could have dried my hair myself and avoided


    the awkwardness if Russel really actually helped.


    But even after I finished drying my hair, Russel still hadn’t returned.


    I initially wanted to go to bed, but I wasn’t sleepy. So, I decided to look for Russel.


    As I entered the elevator, Neil appeared at the door. He looked surprised to see me in the elevator, but


    quickly regained hisposure and entered without speaking


    to me.


    He seemed to have just showered too, and he smelled like the same rose-scented hotel soap I had


    used.


    Just as the two of us were in the elevator, I could only stare at the changing numbers on the panel.


    Suddenly, I felt the elevator jerk violently. I quickly grabbed the handrail to steady myself.


    Then, the elevator stopped at the fifth floor and remained motionless.


    “The elevator’s malfunctioned.” Neil, who had also steadied himself, looked at me. His voice was


    steady.


    “Then we need to alert the hotel staff!” I felt incredibly unlucky. Not only did I run into my ex-husband in


    an elevator, but then we were also stuck in it together.


    Neil contacted the hotel through the elevator’s emergency system. They assured us that they were


    going to send someone to fix it immediately and told us to


    remain calm.


    The elevator fell silent again. Neil stood next to me. He considered lighting a cigarette but decided


    against it.


    Suddenly, the elevator seemed to drop, but it didn’t fall all the way. My heart jumped, and I almost


    screamed.


    I was truly scared because I felt in danger, and my mind was filled with thoughts of Serena and


    Brandon. What would have happened to them if something had happened to me?


    With those worries, I became emotionally unstable.


    But at that moment, I had no other choice but to wait.


    “Where are you off to thiste?” Neil asked, probably out of boredom.


    “To find Russel.” I replied casually.


    “Chances are he’s with Karina. They were college ssmates and friends.” Neil stated nonchntly,


    hands in his pockets.


    I hadn’t thought about that, considering I didn’t know whether Karina was in her room or not.


    I thought, “What could Russel and Karina possibly have to talk about?”


    I didn’t respond. I just lowered my head and started ying with my phone. The signal in the elevator


    was weak. So, I stopped using it after a while.


    Soon, we could hear the faint sound of people talking outside. The hotel maintenance crew asked us a


    few questions and assured us that they were working on the issue.


    But for some reason, the elevator started dropping again, in fits and starts. Each time I lost bnce, it


    would stop, causing no physical harm but creating a psychological shadow over me.


    Neil seemed much moreposed, but his furrowed brow indicated that he was not pleased.


    “Ah!” The feeling of weightlessness came again, but that time, it was more intense. It was as if the


    elevator was plummeting. The elevator shaft echoed with a loud noise. My hand tightly clutched the


    handrail, but I was forced to let go in the chaos.


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    At the critical moment, Neil grabbed my wrist. I stumbled into his arms. He held onto the handrail with


    one hand and held me with the other. His voice was quick but calm, “Don’t be scared. The floor we’re


    stuck at isn’t high, and we’ve been dropping in fits and starts. So even if we fall all the way, it won’t be


    too serious.”


    I was breaking out in a cold sweat. I could only nod at Neil’s words, then reached out to hold the


    handrail, so I wasn’t entirely leaning on Neil.


    Thankfully, Just as Neil predicted, the elevator soon stopped. But it hadn’t reached the ground yet.


    People outside were trying to open the door so we could get out.


    “Neil, are you hurt?” I nced at Neil and noticed blood on his arm. I wasn’t sure where he got it from,


    but blood was seeping out.


    “It’s nothing more than a minor wound.” Neil inspected his arm and dismissed it.


    “Did you get hurt when you were trying to catch me?” I instinctively thought back to that moment.


    “No. Don’t overthink it. We should be able to get out soon.” Neil responded casually, not at all


    concerned about his injury.


    But I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I stared at his wound for a long time until the elevator door was finally


    opened.


    By then, Russel and Karina had arrived with the maintenance crew. When they saw Neil and me in the


    elevator, both of their expressions faltered.


    Neil was the first to step out. Karina immediately rushed over and asked, “Neil, are you okay? Are you


    hurt?”


    Upon noticing Neil’s injured arm, her eyebrows furrowed. She nced at me subconsciously, then said,


    “Your arm’s injured. Let’s go back to the room. I’ll bandage it up for you.”


    I stepped out of the elevator, meeting the deep worry and a hint of suspicion in Russel’s eyes.


    He gave me a once-over and asked, “Are you all right? Did you get hurt? Were you scared?”


    I responded, “No, I wasn’t hurt, but yes, I was scared. I was on my way to see you. I didn’t expect the


    elevator to act up like this. The hotel should be held