I watched Knox work in the room. This wasn't the Knox I remembered.
"Gentlemen," Knox's handshake with a lead executive was firm and dominant. "I trust the accommodations at Humphries Grand for your research teams to continue to meet standards."
"More than adequate, Humphries." The executive almost fawned. "Your hotel's discretion regarding our extended stay researchers has been invaluable. Especially when those protesters showed up last month."
Protesters?
Knox's jaw tightened slightly. "Security handled it. Problem solved."
"It's rather forceful, I heard," the executive chuckled. "But effective. Your team cleared them from the lobby in under ten minutes. Impressive. Most hotels would have worried about optics."
My blood ran cold.
Are they from Helcure? Were they protesting against the child drug testing? Had Knox's company been the one silencing them?
I know Knox was a businessman, but not like this. He was fiercely protective of the underdog and gets genuinely angry about systemic inequality.
"I don't worry about optics," Knox replied casually. "I worry about my guest's privacy and my properties' reputations. Protesters threaten both. So they're removed. Permanently banned from all Humphries properties worldwide."
The executive clapped him on the shoulders. "This is why we book exclusively with Humphries Hotels. You understand that discretion is worth more than good press."
Knox didn't respond to that. He just took another drink. But he didn't disagree either.
I felt sick.
Humphries Hotels.
The name clicked into place.
Humphries Hotels - where we lived. Humphries Grand - the luxury hotel chain. Humphries - Knox's last name.
What on earth?! Knox wasn't just a businessman. He was the businessman. A hotel magnate.
A… billionaire?!
We'd eaten ramen in my tiny apartment and splurged on special occasions at mid-range restaurants.
This Knox… This Knox owned towers?!
How did I not know? I hadn't imagined this. The realization made me dizzy.
I watched as he continued his circuit. He was cold with the waitstaff who weren't fast enough. And he was dismissive of a businessman who failed to meet some contractual obligation.
"Unforeseen?" Knox's laugh was sharp and humorless. "Nothing is unforeseen if you're competent." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a level I could barely hear. "I'm pulling my investment. Effective immediately. My lawyers will be in touch about the penalties for breach of performance clauses."
My champagne flute trembled in my hand.
Is he even the same Knox that I know? But he looked exactly just like him!
Or had I been too naive to see it?
Or distracted?
"Mrs. Humphries, you look stunning tonight!"
I turned to find a woman in her fifties, dripping in diamonds.
I had no idea who she was. Elodie would have known.
"Thank you," I managed, forcing a smile that felt like plastic.
"Your husband is quite the impressive man, isn't he?" She leaned in conspiratorially. "Building a hotel empire from nothing in just five years. They're calling him the youngest billionaire hotelier in Asia. You should have seen him absolutely destroy the Mayfield's family resort chain last year. Bought them out from under their own board. It was ruthless!"
Five years. So he's been doing this since our Day One?!
"If you'll excuse me," I said, my stomach churning. "I need to-"
I wasn't able to finish the sentence. Just headed for the restrooms, my breath coming too fast.
The restroom was blessedly empty - all gold fixtures and marble counters. It made me want to laugh at the absurdity. This was probably one of Knox's hotels. Everything, the building, the fixtures… probably even the designer soap.
'He's a billionaire. And he was married,' I thought numbly. 'What else did I not know about him? How can he fool me like this?'
I gripped the edge of the sink, staring at Elodie's face in the mirror. The face of Knox's wife.
I can't do this.
How can I possibly do this?!
"Elodie's life is complicated. You must be willing to endure it until you complete your mission."
I remember the angel's words. Is this what he meant by it?
I closed my eyes and recalled my mission: the children. Samantha and the others who were still being used as test subjects.
They're still suffering. They're still dying.
"You have a mission, Yuna," I reminded myself. "Your feelings don't matter. Focus on what you can control."
I stood and reapplied Elodie's lipstick. The woman in the mirror looked composed now. Even though deep inside, I am a terrified conflicted mess.
Just get through tonight. One step at a time.
I pushed open the restroom door and…
"Hello, Mrs. Humphries."
I forgot his name but I recognized him from the earlier introductions. He was apparently some kind of business associate of Knox through the hotel accommodations.
He was handsome in that polished, corporate way.
"All alone?" he smiled a smile that probably worked on most women But it made my skin crawl.
I smiled and bowed my head. "Excuse me," I tried to step around him, but he moved to block my path.
I looked around and the hallway here was quieter. There were also fewer people.
My medical training kicked in automatically. I immediately calculated exits.
"Not so fast, Elodie," his smile widened. "I've been wanting to talk to you. You seem… different tonight. More present. Less like that perfect porcelain automaton you usually are."
He stepped closer. I stepped back. My shoulders hit the wall.
"Mister, I really need to get back…"
"Just call me Vince."
His hand landed on the wall beside my head, caging me in. The smell of whiskey on his breath made me wince.
"You know, Elodie, I've always wondered what you taste like, especially that Knox took an interest in you."
His other hand reached for my waist.
Every instinct I had screamed at me to move.
"Mister… Vince… Please step back." I kept my voice steady despite my racing heart. "This is… this is inappropriate."
"Is it?" He sniffed my neck. "Your husband doesn't seem to care much about you. Maybe you need someone who actually pays attention -"
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Wife."