Juniper's mind was in absolute chaos. Bypassing him completely, she walked straight into the elevator.
Seeing her utterly shattered demeanor, Reggie let out a heavy sigh.
He got back into the driver's seat and lowered the partition. He had wanted to tell Nelson that he shouldn't treat a girl like that.
But in the dim lighting of the underground garage, he saw something on Nelson's face.
It was so silent—silent as if it didn't even exist.
Reggie felt a sudden pang in his chest, perhaps infected by the heavy atmosphere.
He didn't dare say a word, quickly hitting the gas pedal instead.
Having served the old lady for so long, he had heard her scold Nelson countless times, calling him bad-tempered, stubborn, excessively proud, and utterly lacking in consideration. Growing up, he had been an absolute tyrant.
But someone like that... could actually cry.
Reggie felt as though he had intruded upon a forbidden secret. He sat on edge, not even daring to glance at the rearview mirror.
The atmosphere in the car was crushing, so heavy that his knuckles turned white gripping the steering wheel.
Juniper practically stumbled her way out of the elevator, only to realize her room key had expired, meaning she had to go back down to the front desk.
The receptionist seemed to have already been briefed on her identity. This time, there was no hostility or disgust; instead, she spoke with polite professionalism. "Ms. Lane, you'll be staying in the same room. We've extended your stay for another half a month, entirely free of charge."
She had no idea why these people had suddenly changed their tune.
But she was too exhausted to question it.
Returning to her room, she collapsed onto the bed, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
The shaking filled her with deep self-loathing.
She clamped her other hand over it, but the trembling wouldn't stop.


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