As Ste got up, she quickly dialed Matthew’s number but was met with an automated response saying the line was busy.


    After several attempts, each call ended with the same message.


    As her worry escted, Ste could no longer remain seated.


    “I need to step out for a bit.


    Please make yourselffortable here.


    ”


    She hastily got up and left after excusing herself.


    As she approached the elevator, Ste noticed one of them was out of service, stranded on the 46th floor.


    She didn’t dwell on it initially, preupied with trying to contact Matthew.


    However, her repeated attempts to reach him were unsessful, which was not a good sign.


    As soon as she heard the elevator ding, she paused her dialing.


    She was about to step inside but stopped abruptly.


    The recent string of idents in the news had heightened her sense of caution.


    Ste cast a few more apprehensive nces at the malfunctioning elevator.


    A flicker of concern crossed her face, and she stepped back, deciding against entering the elevator.


    She quickly looked up the security department’s number from the restaurant’s signage and called.


    “Hello, I wanted to ask if there’s an issue with the restaurant’s elevator.


    Is it undergoing maintenance?”


    “The elevator?” The voice on the other end sounded puzzled.


    “ALL elevators were checked and found to be in working order in the morning.


    ”


    A sense of dread washed over Ste.


    “There’s a problem with one of the elevators.


    It’s stuck on the 46th floor.


    I’m afraid someone might be trapped inside.


    Please, you must check it immediately!”


    In the elevator, darkness still prevailed, punctuated by heavy breaths.


    “Matthew, please, don’t scare me like this!” Leslie pleaded, her voice tinged with fear and anxiety.


    Moments earlier, Matthew had copsed on the elevator floor, sending her into a state of near panic.


    Her mind was in turmoil, but she was determined not to let anything happen to him.


    She assessed Matthew’s condition using the dim glow of her shlight.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    His eyes were unfocused, his face contorted in pain, and his breathing was distressinglybored.


    The elevator’s air was growing stale, making it difficult for Leslie to breathe.


    But Matthew was in a far worse state, likely suffering from ustrophobia.


    She remembered witnessing simr symptoms the Last time she met him at the theater.