CHAPTER 513: WAITING ROOM OF DOOM (PART ONE)

Micah sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. His fingers tapped restlessly against the glossy surface of the meeting room table, each click of his nail echoing in the empty hotel suite.

He leaned back in the chair and stared at the hotel wall clock. The minute hand had barely moved since the last time he checked. Fantastic. Time really was crawling like a snail.

After meeting the Du Ponts earlier, Micah had lost every bit of enthusiasm he might have had for playing around with Silas.

He was worried sick that they recognised him as Micah. They were obviously related to that big fox, Clyde; surely their intelligence wouldn’t be that bad. Micah was on pins and needles. Shifting slightly on his seat, he almost reached for his phone before forcing himself to stop. He wanted to text Clyde, to just... tell him what happened. Maybe Clyde had heard something from them by now, but was holding back. Not because he was ashamed or anything, but because he couldn’t talk right now. He couldn’t risk it.

The hotel staff had guided him straight here through a maze of hallways and elevators. Since then, he hadn’t met anyone.

Micah was sure they were monitoring him. This wasn’t just a casual late arrival meeting. The person behind the app was so mysterious and cautious. He wouldn’t let anyone inside the circle. Using his phone right now would give hints about who he really was. And Micah didn’t want that.

After what felt like eternity, finally the door opened. Micah looked up. A middle-aged woman stepped in, tall, sharp-featured, and dressed in a tailored pantsuit that screamed authority. Her heels clicked against the marble floor. Her expression didn’t shift once as her gaze landed on him.

Micah straightened instinctively, his shoulders tensing. Lawyer, he guessed immediately. She had that aura, composed, no nonsense, and just slightly intimidating.

Micah adjusted his mask and cap again.

She stopped a few feet away and gave him a polite smile, though her eyes stayed analytical. "Good evening, you’re here regarding the Alpha Dominus contract, correct?"

Micah nodded faintly.

Her gaze flicked to his mask and cap, then back to her tablet. "Please state your username."

He hesitated. "BashfulWallFlower."

She typed it down without comment. "And your identification card, please."

Micah looked at her, lips twitching. "I’m sorry, but I don’t want my identity exposed, even to you. So please just give me the contract, and my lawyer will handle it."

Like hell he would reveal his name here! Micah thought to himself.

The woman paused, eyeing him, too long for comfort. Then she smiled. "Of course. I’ll send the contract through the app. Once it’s signed, you’ll receive a room number and passcode. I wish a pleasant experience."

Her tone made the last line sound like a warning. She gathered her tablet, turned on her heel, and walked out. The door shut behind her with a quiet thud.

Micah sighed in relief. That woman wasn’t your everyday corporate worker. Her aura was on par with those high-level executives he had seen at Ramsy Empire. People who could smile while dissecting your entire future.

Micah quickly forwarded the contract to his lawyer, asking him to keep it confidential. Meanwhile, he also skimmed through the document. There was not much to it, just a few clauses about maintaining secrecy and anonymity. If either party exposed the other, the penalty would be severe.

Micah nodded. That worked for him. But what puzzled him was how that sub from the app had found Darcy and exposed it. Wouldn’t that count as a breach?

Micah frowned, scrolling again, and stopped on the compensation section. His eyebrows shot up at the amount listed. This wasn’t small money, even for someone like him.

Ah... maybe that sub really had feelings for Silas, enough to put himself in such a dire situation.

Or maybe someone wanted to profit from Silas and Darcy’s relationship going south... nah. Who would be this stupid? Darcy in the novel had three other men besides Silas. And among them, Aidan might have had the means but the motive... nope.

Aidan was even collaborating with the SAFA pharmaceutical. Why would he sabotage that? Why did he want to get rid of Silas?

Micah’s head throbbed. His fingers went to his temple, massaging it.

He tilted his head, resting on his hand, eyes closed.

Sometimes, he really wished he could just drop everything and go somewhere no one knew him, living a quiet life. But he knew better. In the world of the novel, there was no escape. They would not let him just disappear. They would find him and use him. There was nowhere for him to hide.

The only thing he could do was face them head-on. Be prepared for the future.

His phone buzzed with a message. His lawyer had checked the contract: standard format without any loopholes. Micah gave the okay sign to proceed.

After sending the signed contract, Micah received the room number and passcode.

Micah stared at it, lips tightening. "Here we go."

He rose from the chair, his legs stiff from sitting too long. He moved to the designated room. He typed in the passcode. The lock clicked open with a soft beep. Inside, the lights were already on.

He stepped inside the luxury suite and glanced around. Oh, he was alone.

Micah sat on the edge of the couch, nerves tense. Even if the room was being monitored, Micah didn’t bother searching for the hidden cameras. First, he was already in disguise. Second, if someone tried to harm him, he had enough gadgets to stun a bear, from pepper spray to a taser, you name it.

The minutes stretched again. The air felt thicker, heavier.

Then a faint beep from the door.

Micah’s head snapped up. The handle turned. He straightened instantly, shoulders tense, one hand drifting to his bag.

The door opened slowly, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

Silas.

He really came. Micah’s eyes widened for a second.