âIs everyone alright in there?â Nolanâs voice was hoarse with concern.
The two staff members who had been standing guard exchanged a frightened glance. âA guy just claimed to be the boyfriend of the guest staying here, so we let him in. We donât really know if the person inside is someone youâre familiar with!â
Nolanâs heart skipped a beat. âOpen the door, now!â
âOh? Right, sure!â
One of the staff, carrying a master key card for the entire hotel, swung the door open.
In that moment, Nolan had a sudden thought. He motioned for the other employees to step back, ensuring that no one would witness the scene inside. Only then did he enter.
His heart was in his throat as he stepped inside, but it dropped at the sight before him. A skinny man lay on the floor, clutching his stomach.
And there was Regina, gripping a shard of broken glass, blood streaming from her palm. Thankfully, Nolan had arrived in time.
He rushed over, draping a cotton blanket around Reginaâs shoulders and carefully taking hold of her wrist.
Regina, groggy and disoriented, flinched at the touch. She struggled weakly, tears slipping helplessly from the corners of her eyes.
âItâs me, Nolan. Donât be afraid. Youâre safe now.â
The familiarity of his voice calmed her, and her grip loosened as she recognized him, someone she could trust.
Nolan looked at the injured Regina with a heart full of pain, dreading to think what might have happened if he had arrived even a moment later.
The thug on the floor was still moaning and groaning.
With tender care, Nolan wrapped Reginaâs wrist with a towel, but the thug was far from satisfied. He stood up, confronting Nolan, âWho the hell are you? You know youâre gonna get struck by lightning for messing with someoneâs girl, right? Thatâs my girlfriend, what do you think youâre doing? Watch it, I can get people to come teach you a lesson!â
The thugâs bravado faded as Nolan approached, his menacing presence making him retreat step by step.
âJust a minute ago, this crazy lady stabbed me with glass. Who knows how bad it is? You wanna start something? The hallâs full of staff, you really think I canât yell for them to come in?â he taunted, but Nolan didnât give him a chance to follow through.
With a swift kick, Nolan sent him flying a good two meters, and the thug crashed to the floor, unconscious.
Facing the now-silenced thug on the floor, Nolanâs chest heaved with unsteady emotion. If not for Regina lying on the bed, he would not have let the thug off so easily.
But Regina was his priority, her well-being and her dignity.
After a momentâs thought, he decided to send the staff away-the fewer people who knew about todayâs events, the better.
âGet two people to take this guy to the hospital, and make sure he doesnât just walk away,â he instructed the only staff member he allowed inside, who was intently staring at the floor, not daring to look up even once.
He was acutely aware of why he had been allowed in-alone. It meant something. If he wanted to keep his job, heâd better keep todayâs events to himself.
Nolan was pleased with his discretion. Once the staff had left, he gently picked up Regina. Just as he was about to carry her down in the executive elevator, the door burst open, and a flurry of people rushed in.
âFrancis, donât be mad. I only heard from others, and Regina⦠sheâs not that kind of girl.â