Chapter 6 - The ArrivalTrue to his word, exactly nine minutes later, a sleek, matte-black Maybach pulled up illegally right in front of the hotel entrance, its hazard lights blinking rhythmically against the rain.
The rear door flew open instantly. A tall man in a tailored charcoal suit stepped out into the rain with an oversized black umbrella, shielding the doorway.
"Ms. Carter?" the driver asked politely, his eyes scanning me and Sofi with practiced discretion.
"Yes," I stammered, clutching my bag.
"Please, get inside. Mr. Vance has arranged everything."
Inside the car, it felt like a different world. Heated leather seats wrapped around us in luxurious warmth. Soft classical music played in the background, and a plush baby blanket lay neatly folded on the seat beside a warm bottle of formula in a sterilizing warmer.
It was as if Julian had predicted every single need we had.
"Where are we going?" I asked the driver as he smoothly merged into Chicago traffic.
"The Drake Hotel, ma'am. Mr. Vance has secured the presidential penthouse suite for your stay."
My jaw dropped. "The presidential suite? But that must cost thousands of dollars a night!"
"Mr. Vance does not do things by halves," the driver replied calmly with a polite smile in the rearview mirror.
When we arrived at the historic luxury hotel, we were whisked past the crowded lobby through a private elevator that required a special security key. When the doors opened on the top floor, I stepped out into a breathtaking, multi-story penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan.
My phone buzzed in my hand just as it finally died completely.
Right before the screen went black, a text notification flashed across the top:
May you like
Unknown Number: "Get settled, order whatever you need from room service, and get some sleep. I'll be in Chicago tomorrow afternoon. We need to talk."
I stared at the screen, a shiver running down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
