As they approached the exit, Quinton stole a quick glance through the peephole, checking the situation on the other side before nodding at Mr. Howard.
Only then did Balfour breathe a sigh of relief, moving towards the door with his sister, ready to make their exit.
However, as the saying goes, âWhat you fear is what you attract.â
At the same time, the door across the hallway creaked open, revealing Sophia wheeling out a man in a wheelchair, her voice peppered with concern. âMarcus, I know youâre bored cooped up in this hotel all day, but Iâve got to handle some things Dad left behind. I canât take you out all the time, and I donât trust anyone else with you. Today, letâs just stroll around the hotel garden, and once Iâm done with all this, weâll go globetrotting with Tristan. Weâll see the world together.â
Ellinorâs face froze at the sight of the man in the wheelchair. It was him!
In a flash, Balfour pulled his sister back into their room, shutting the door behind them. They moved so swiftly that they left only a gust of wind in their wake, going unnoticed by the people across the hallway.
Sophia, however, heard the door across slam shut and looked over, but all she saw was a closed door.
She asked, puzzled, âMarcus, did you hear something from the suite across just now?â
Marcus, his gaze fixed on the closed door across the hallway, shook his head. âNo.â
Sophia, still somewhat suspicious, muttered, âStrange, I clearly heard a door shutting. It even caused a gust of wind.â
Marcus replied indifferently, âNone of our business. Letâs go.â
Sophia brushed off her suspicions and turned back. âAlright. Tristan, help Mommy close the door.
Weâre going for a walk with Daddy!â
Meanwhile, in the suite across, Balfour held Ellinor tightly, covering her mouth to prevent her from rushing out or making any noise that might give them away.
Ellinorâs eyes wêre bloodshot, and in a fit of fury, she bit Balfourâs hand hard.
Despite the pain, Balfour didnât let go.
Byran, who hadnât seen the people across the hallway, was utterly confused. âWhat happened, Bro?â
Balfour shot his brother a warning glance, signaling him to stay silent.
Byran got the hint and immediately shut his mouth.
Only after the people across had left and entered the elevator did Balfour let go of Ellinor.
Free once again, Ellinor immediately ran out of the suite, but the hallway was empty.
She instinctively wanted to chase after them to the elevator, but Balfour grabbed her arm. âEllinor, stay calm.â
Ellinor stopped, turned around, and glared at Balfour with a mix of disappointment and anger in her eyes. She jerked her arm away from his grip. âYou knew he was across the hallway, knew he was with Sophia, and you deliberately kept it from me?â
Balfour sighed. âI didnât plan on keeping it from you. I just thought Iâd tell you at the right time.â
A bitter laugh escaped Ellinor. âThe right time? You knew that Iâve been looking for him for three years!
When do you think would be the right time? Should I wait another three years?â