Divorced

The elevator doors remained open, leaving Aveline stuck in a dilemma. She was too scared to step out yet staying inside with the man felt equally dangerous.

She could feel his cold, unsettling gaze fixed on her, and her palms began to sweat as tension gripped her.

Seconds ticked by, and the elevator began to beep, signaling that the doors had been open too long.

“Are you getting in or out?” The man finally spoke, his voice raspy and filled with impatience, a voice she didn’t recognize.

Aveline bit her lip, wondering why Mason still hadn’t arrived. Even if he had to run, he should have been there by now.

But with the man growing more agitated, she knew she couldn’t stall any longer.

Glancing at the dark, empty hallway outside, she made the difficult choice to stay in the elevator. At least there were security cameras inside, offering a sliver of protection. If she stepped out into that hallway, anything could happen.

She took a few steps back and pressed the button to close the doors. As they slowly shut, her anxiety heightened.

The elevator descended smoothly, and although the man behind her hadn’t made a move, she couldn’t let her guard down.

Then, as the elevator reached the fourth floor, the doors unexpectedly opened.

Aveline jumped, her eyes darting up to see two men enter. Their expressions were cold, and they were dressed in all black, exuding an aura of discipline and training.

She instinctively took a step back, pressing herself into the corner. Were these men working with the one already in the elevator?

If they were, what would she do?

Aveline’s grip tightened on her phone, her finger hovering over the emergency alert button. She had already pressed it four times–one more press and the alarm would be sent.

In the tense, oppressive atmosphere, the elevator finally reached the first floor. As the doors slid open, Aveline wasted no time, quickly stepping out and hurrying towards the exit. Her car was parked outside rather than in the underground garage.

a

It wasn’t until she got inside her car and locked the doors that she felt sense of relief wash over her. She glanced up and noticed that the two men. from the elevator had already left, while the man in the hat and mask seemed to glance in her direction before walking away as well.

Her hands were slick with sweat as she gripped the steering wheel, her heart still pounding from the tension.

Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her. She quickly checked the screen–it was Mason calling.

“Hello?” she answered, her voice still shaky.

Mason’s voice was filled with concern. “Miss Young, I’m so sorry. The

elevator I was in malfunctioned, and I just got to your floor. Where are you now?”

Aveline replied, “I’m already in my car.”

Relief was evident in Mason’s tone as he asked, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine now,” Aveline said, starting to regain her composure.

She knew that the elevator malfunction must have been intentional. But what role did the men in the elevator play in all of this? If Mason was deliberately delayed, something should have happened to her–but it hadn’t. Could it all have been a coincidence?

Her thoughts returned to the two men in black with stern expressions. What were they doing in an office building so late at night?

Questions swirled in her mind, making her head spin with possibilities.

Mason’s voice broke through her thoughts, “I’m truly sorry, Miss Young. I promise this won’t happen again.”

Aveline responded, “It’s not your fault. I’m heading home now. Look into what happened tonight and see if you can find any clues.”

“Understood,” Mason replied.

Back at Maple Garden, Aveline stepped out of the elevator, feeling utterly exhausted. But just as she was about to unlock her door, the hallway lights. suddenly went out.