Chapter 4 4. Nowhere to Escape

As Lyla stood at the entrance of the city's most luxurious hotel, she couldn't help but wonder if she had completely lost her mind.

Perhaps it was Shadow Master's taunting words --"better drop out while you can" -- that had pushed her over the edge. Without hesitation, she agreed to his s/panking request. No one had the right to question her dedication to her work and studies. For her, that was an insult.

Moreover, she couldn't deny her curiosity. What kind of psychological experience would this s/panking game bring her? She was eager to find out.

The time and place had been set by Shadow Master. When Lyla found out it was this hotel, she was taken aback. This place was renowned for its luxury, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of man Shadow Master was to afford such an extravagant venue.

As she stepped into the hotel lobby, her phone buzzed with a message from Jessica: "You're meeting Shadow Master?! I've tried to interview him so many times and never got a chance! You're amazing! Good luck!"

For safety reasons, Lyla had told her research group she was meeting Shadow Master today, though she left out the detail about the s/panking. Everyone assumed it was just a routine interview.

"He's just an arrogant jerk." Lyla muttered in response to Jessica's message as she walked further inside. The lavish décor made her momentarily dizzy, and she felt out of place in her simple student outfit among the elegantly dressed guests.

A man in his fifties approached her, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His sharp, eagle-like eyes gave nothing away, and his face remained expressionless.

"Miss Sinclair?" the man asked with a slight bow.

"You're... Shadow Master?!" Lyla asked, surprised. She remembered the image from the forum-those elegant hands gripping a whip-but this man didn't seem to match them at all.

"I am his butler. You may call me Hudson," the man replied, his brow furrowed slightly. "Miss Sinclair, you're late."

"Sorry, the subway-"

"No need to explain," Hudson cut her off, glancing at his watch. "Follow me. He doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Hudson led Lyla through the hotel lobby towards the elevators. Hotel staff bowed as he passed, a clear indication that he was no stranger here.

Hudson couldn't help but find this encounter unusual. Normally, Carlo would choose more discreet locations for these meetings to avoid being seen by Mrs. Ferretti or his brother Blake. But this time, perhaps sensing the girl's caution, Carlo opted for this grand hotel and had specifically asked Hudson to escort her himself, as if fearing she might flee.

As the elevator ascended in silence, Hudson glanced back at the girl, standing quietly behind him. She seemed far less wary than before. He couldn't understand what made this seemingly ordinary girl so special that his young master had broken so many of his own rules for her.

Minutes later, the elevator arrived at the top floor. The doors opened with a soft chime.

"Go ahead. Don't keep him waiting," Hudson said calmly, though he made no move to leave.

Ahead of Lyla was a long hallway leading to the only door on the floor-the Presidential Suite. She knew that behind that door was Shadow Master.

As she stepped out of the elevator, Hudson's voice suddenly echoed behind her, "Oh, and he asked me to tell you, the safeword is: Science."

The elevator doors closed swiftly, leaving Lyla no time to respond, but her face was already burning with embarrassment.

The last thing she wanted was for another person to know about the s/panking. But clearly, Hudson was in on everything. It had to be Shadow Master's doing-his way of adding to her humiliation. Especially using "science" as the safeword, as if mocking her.

As a psychology student, Lyla knew she was dealing with a master of psychological manipulation. She hadn't even seen his face yet, but he already had her fooled in his game.

"You've got this, Lyla. You won't be controlled that easily." she told herself, taking a deep breath as she strode down the hallway and pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The room was dimly lit, casting shadows that outlined a man's figure. He was tall, with a near-perfect athletic build, his upper body partially hidden in the dark like a predator waiting to strike. He stood with his back to her, carefully wiping something in his hand.

"Sorry, the door wasn't locked, so I just..."

The man spun around suddenly.

He was younger than she had imagined, likely in his late twenties, with strikingly handsome features. His expression was cold, his piercing green eyes scanning her, and his sharp, thin lips curved into a playful smirk.

"You're late, and you entered my room without permission," Carlo said, his voice dangerously calm. "Let me think... Should I double your punishment?"

He stepped out of the shadows.

Lyla's breath hitched in her throat. She wasn't sure if it was his dangerously captivating looks or the object he held in his hand -- a thick, black cane.

Her hands gripped the strap of her bag tightly, and without thinking, she took two steps back.

A soft click echoed behind her as her back pressed against the door. It felt as if the cage had closed, and she, the prey, had nowhere left to run.