Chapter 7 Return To That Room

"Miss, are you still there?" the staff member inquired.

"Uh, yes," Emilee replied distractedly. "Sorry, and thanks for your help. I'll handle it myself."

She ended the call, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed in the hotel's front desk.

The phone rang a few times before connecting.

"Hi, I was wondering if anyone found a USB drive while cleaning Room 9881 on the top floor?"

Emilee clutched the phone tighter, her palm damp with sweat as she awaited an answer.

"I'm sorry, but the guest in that room hasn't checked out yet and has refused housekeeping services, so we haven't been inside to check," the receptionist explained.

Emilee's heart skipped a beat. Jonny was still there?

Could it be he had nowhere else to go after coming back to the country?

Or was he possibly waiting for her?

Emilee quickly dismissed the thought; that couldn't be right.

Then the voice on the phone spoke again. "Excuse me, were you the guest staying with him last night? Should we contact him on your behalf?"

"No, that's not necessary, I must be mistaken. Sorry about that," Emilee refused quickly.

This morning, Jonny had instructed his assistant to investigate the woman from last night. If the receptionist went to ask him about it, Emilee would be exposed.

Clutching her phone, she felt an internal tug-of-war.

Revealing her identity as the woman who had spent the night with Jonny the previous night was out of the question.

But she couldn't risk the fallout from divulging corporate secrets either.

After wrestling with her thoughts, Emilee grabbed her bag and left the office decisively.

The night had grown deep, and the early autumn breeze, now devoid of summer's warmth, bit into her neck, causing her to shudder.

She didn't linger. Instead, she quickly took a taxi to the hotel.

Emilee entered the hotel lobby and boarded the elevator. She was about to press the button when she realized, to her dismay, that the top floor required a VIP card for access.

Her prolonged inactivity in the elevator caught the attention of the hotel staff.

Just as Emilee was wondering what to do next, she looked up and spotted a refined-looking man with glasses approaching.

It was Jonny's assistant from this morning.

Recognizing an opportunity, Emilee called out, "Hello, I need to see Mr. Owens. I left something in his room. I'm Emilee Bates, a secretary from Xastin Company."

Upon hearing her introduction, the assistant touched his Bluetooth earpiece and said, "Mr. Owens, Emilee Bates is here to see you."

As the assistant relayed her message, Emilee's heart pounded. She hoped Jonny would remember her name.

Her anxiety was palpable, but moments later, the assistant gave her a reassuring nod. "Miss Bates, Mr. Owens has asked me to escort you upstairs."

Reaching the top floor, the assistant escorted Emilee only as far as the door to the suite and stopped there.

Emilee had to enter alone.

The lighting inside the suite was dim. As she stepped in, her low heels clicked against the marble floor.

She had been clouded in mind the previous night. Now, she noticed the suite's vastness and its luxurious decor, reminiscent of a high-end apartment.

Only a few soft, ambient lights were on, leaving the main lights off.

When the room lights abruptly flared to life, Emilee jumped in surprise.

On the living room's sleek black leather sofa sat a tall, handsome man, gazing at her without moving.

Jonny was clad in a gray bathrobe, its collar loosely opened to reveal his collarbones and a silver chain.

His hair, still damp from a recent shower, clung to his forehead.

Under the stark white light, his sharp features reminded her of a panther lurking in the night.

Emilee's heart raced, and she quickly looked away.

"What do you want?" Jonny leaned forward slightly, his thin lips curling.

Emilee fidgeted with her fingers. "Mr. Owens... Did you come across a USB drive?"

Jonny arched an eyebrow. "A USB drive?"

"Yes, a white one. I believe I might have left it here last night."

His gaze was unreadable. "Why would your USB drive end up in my room?"