Chapter 4

Qimait escorted Shanora Hansen to the entrance of the small hotel. After watching her enter the hotel, he turned and left. Standing at the hotel entrance, Shanora Hansen watched his retreating figure, feeling a mix of emotions—in gratitude, curiosity, and a hint of wariness.

She went back to her room, locked the door behind her, and leaned against it. Her heart was still pounding wildly. What had just happened was far too terrifying. If it weren’t for Zimmet, she really had no idea what would have happened.

She took out her phone, intending to call Karen Lowell and tell her about what had just happened. But after a moment’s thought, she decided against it. She didn’t want to worry Karen Lowell. Besides, her current whereabouts couldn’t be revealed. It was better to call as little as possible.

Just then, the phone vibrated. It was a text message from an unknown number: “Get some rest. Don’t go out alone at night anymore. It’s not safe.—Qimait”

Shanora Hansen was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Zimmet to send her a text message, and she wasn’t sure how he even had her phone number. She figured that maybe he must have seen the number when she used the payphone to call Karen Lowell earlier.

She hesitated for a moment, then sent a text message: “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you’ve done today.”

Not long after the message was sent, Qimait replied, “It’s no big deal. If you run into any more problems, just give me a call. I live nearby.”

Shanora Hansen looked at the text message, feeling warm inside, yet also a bit wary. She had no idea who this mysterious and seductive man was, why he lived in this small town, or why he happened to be there at the exact moment she was being bullied.

Meanwhile, Mike and a few others had already checked the area around the small hotel where Shanora Hansen was staying. They showed photos of Shanora Hansen and asked people in each house, but they didn’t get any useful information. Shanora Hansen hadn’t dared to use her ID to check in, and the hotel owner only knew that she was a young girl from out of town. He didn’t know her name or identity.

“Mike, we’ve checked several hotels and guesthouses in the area, but we haven’t found the lady anywhere,” one of his subordinates whispered to Mike. “Should we expand the search area?”

Mike shook his head, his gaze scanning the surroundings sharply. “No need. The master said that the young lady hasn’t left the city. Moreover, Karen Lowell said she left at noon. She must be somewhere nearby. Please conduct a thorough search, especially those small hotels that don’t require ID registration. Be thorough and don’t overlook any details.”

“Yes!” The subordinates immediately responded, scattering to continue their searches.

Mike stood by the roadside, took out his phone, and reported to Drake Hansen: “Sir, we’ve checked the small towns in the suburbs. We suspect that the young lady is somewhere in this area, but we haven’t yet determined her exact location. We’re continuing our thorough searches.”

“Okay, speed up. We must ensure the safety of the young lady.” Drake Hansen’s voice carried a hint of urgency. “Also, don’t startle her. If she realizes we’re looking for her, she might run even further away.”

“Understood, my lord.” Mike hung up the phone, his gaze becoming even sharper. He knew full well that the young lady was stubborn by nature. If she found out that they were searching for her, she would surely try every means to keep hiding. In that case, it would be even harder to find her.

At this moment, Shanora Hansen had no idea that she was already surrounded by Mike’s men. After washing up, she lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with the memories of the abuse she had suffered, as well as Zimmet’s seductive yet cold face.

She stood up and walked over to the window. She pushed it open, and the evening breeze rushed in, bringing with it the coolness of the mountains. She looked up at the stars in the sky, feeling a sudden sense of confusion. She had run away from home, escaped the arranged blind dates set up by her father. But now, she had no idea where to go or what to do next.

Just then, she saw a familiar figure downstairs, walking toward the hotel—it was Qimait. He held a cup of milk tea in his hand. When he reached the hotel entrance, he looked up at her window and waved at her.

Shanora Hansen was startled and took a step back, feeling a wave of panic. How did he end up here? Could he have been following her the whole time?

Before long, there was a knock at the door, along with Qimait’s voice: “Miss Murong, open the door. I’ve brought you a cup of milk tea to help you recover from your fatigue.”

Shanora Hansen was shocked. How did he know her name?! After hesitating for a while, she went to the door and peeked through the peephole. She saw Zimmet holding a cup of milk tea, with a gentle smile on his face. He didn’t seem hostile at all.

“You… how do you know my name?” Xanora Hansen asked through the door, her voice tinged with caution.

Qimait smiled, his tone somewhat teasing: “Just guessing. Miss Murong is so beautiful, her name must be lovely too. Besides, I heard you mention your name while talking on the phone with your friend earlier.”

Shanora Hansen felt relieved. So that’s how it was. She hesitated for a moment, but then opened the door anyway.

Qimait handed her the milk tea, smiling seductively: “Here, it’s hot. Drinking this at night makes you feel more comfortable.”

Shanora Hansen took the milk tea and said, “Thank you.” Her sense of caution eased a little.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Qimait leaned against the doorframe, sizing her up from head to toe. His gaze was somewhat playful. “Are you still scared by what happened just now?”

Shanora Hansen nodded, then shook her head, her tone complicated. “A little. But thank you. Without you, I really wouldn’t know what to do.”

Qimait smiled and said, “I already said, it’s no big deal at all. By the way, since you’re here for tourism, why are you staying in such a small hotel? With your financial means, you should be staying in a much better place.”

Shanora Hansen felt nervous and started making excuses again: “I just wanted to experience this kind of life. I think these small hotels have a more intimate atmosphere and are much more comfortable than big hotels.”

Qimait glanced at her, his eyes filled with understanding, but he didn’t say anything. He simply smiled and said, “Yes, this kind of place is really comfortable. By the way, my name is Qimait. You can call me Matt.”

“My name is Shannora Hansen.” Shannora Hansen smiled, and her sense of caution eased a little.

While the two of them were talking, footsteps were suddenly heard downstairs, along with the voices of men. It was Mike’s men. They had traced them to this hotel and were questioning the hotel owner about the situation.

Shanora Hansen’s face turned pale instantly. She instinctively grabbed Zymet’s arm, her eyes filled with panic. “What should I do? They… they’re here to get me!”

Qimait frowned, his gaze turning icy instantly. He patted Xianola Hansen’s hand and said firmly, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. They won’t be able to find you.”

As he spoke, he took Xianola Hansen to the balcony of the room and pointed at the villa next door. “Do you see that villa? That’s my house. Go hide there for now. When they leave, you can come back.”

Shanora Hansen glanced at the villa next door, then at the footsteps getting louder below. A hint of hesitation arose in her heart. She wasn’t sure if Zimmet was trustworthy, but right now, she had no other choice.

“Okay, thank you.” Shanora Hansen nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Qimait pulled her along, carefully climbing over the balcony and hiding in his villa. What he didn’t know was that his actions not only allowed Shanora Hansen to temporarily escape Mike’s pursuit, but also plunged her into a much bigger mess. He, Madre Summer, and Li Yan—the “Sunshine Boy” who was about to appear—were all already tightly entwined by the threads of fate. And Shanora Hansen was the key to unlocking all the mysteries.

Downstairs, Mike and his men entered the hotel, checking each room carefully. But they couldn’t find any sign of Shannora Hansen. He frowned and thought to himself: Had the lady already left? Or was she hiding somewhere?

At this moment, Shanora Hansen was hiding in Zimmet’s villa. Watching Mike and the others gradually leave through the window, she felt relieved, yet also a hint of unease stirred within her. She had no idea where this hasty escape, this unexpected encounter, would lead her. Nor did she know that the person who had always been by her side was, in fact, right nearby, silently watching over her.