However, just as they reached the 4th floor, the elevator suddenly let out a loud buzzing crash and came to an abrupt halt, emitting a terrifying screeching sound. It was just like a car speeding along that suddenly slams on the brakes—this sudden change made the delicate Isabella Lynn lose all color in her face. With a scream, her body swayed and she fell backward, landing right in Andrew Brooks's arms.

Gripping Isabella Lynn's fragrant shoulders, a faint feminine scent drifting to his nose, Andrew Brooks was also a bit startled. He steadied himself and was just about to say something when the stalled elevator suddenly started buzzing again, and with a jolt, shot straight upward.

5th floor, 6th floor, 7th floor, 8th floor, 9th floor...

This kind of rapid vertical ascent in place was even more of a test on the heart than a plane taking off. Not to mention the frail Isabella Lynn, even the young and strong Andrew Brooks was caught off guard—anyone would be lying if they said they weren't scared.

Isabella Lynn's face was ashen, cold sweat streaming down, her delicate body pressed tightly into Andrew Brooks's embrace. Both her arms instinctively clung tightly around his waist, just like a drowning person grabbing onto a life-saving straw, unwilling to let go.

The elevator shot back up to the top, the 12th floor, before finally coming to a slow stop, though it was still trembling slightly. Holding Isabella Lynn, Andrew Brooks took a few steps forward and reached out to press the door open button, but no matter how long he pressed, the elevator didn't respond.

Looking at the still-frightened Isabella Lynn in his arms, Andrew Brooks let out a long sigh and said urgently, "Editor Lin, let go of me for now. Let me see if we can get out of the elevator first."

Isabella Lynn's face was covered in fine, glistening beads of sweat. She said in a trembling voice, "The elevator's broken. It's over. Can we still get out?" Although she let go of Andrew Brooks, one of her hands still clung tightly to his arm.

Andrew Brooks gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I don't know. I just got here, so I have no idea what's going on. Does this elevator break down often?"

"N-no, I don't think so," Isabella Lynn panted heavily.

Andrew Brooks looked up at the top of the elevator compartment, feeling deeply disappointed. This elevator was much more outdated than those in his memories from his previous life. The entire compartment was sealed, with even the ventilation holes just small openings in thick steel plates. Trying to get out from inside was nothing but wishful thinking.

About five minutes passed. The elevator buzzed again, and with a crackling sound, the lights inside sparked, emitting blue smoke, and then went out.

The elevator was plunged into total darkness. Isabella Lynn was so terrified she nearly burst into tears. She slowly groped her way closer to Andrew Brooks, her voice trembling, "I'm scared. I'm afraid of the dark."

Andrew Brooks gave a wry smile, reached out to take her cold, clammy little hand, and gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid. The elevator's broken, so people outside will definitely know. Once it's fixed, we'll be able to get out."

"Mm," Isabella Lynn replied, her voice as soft as a mosquito.

No sooner had she spoken than the elevator gave another thunderous jolt. As Isabella Lynn's soft, trembling body once again fell into Andrew Brooks's arms, accompanied by her sharp, tearful scream, the elevator suddenly plummeted straight down as if it had gone mad.

……

……

It wasn't until the 5th floor that it finally came to a shaky stop with a loud clang.

Isabella Lynn's heart was about to leap out of her chest. Her thin professional suit was already soaked with sweat, her whole body limp as she pressed against Andrew Brooks's chest, gasping for breath.

And Andrew Brooks wasn't much better off—this elevator ordeal had left him drenched in cold sweat.

In the pitch-black elevator, only the sound of their rapid breathing and pounding hearts could be heard. Andrew Brooks gently shifted his body and lightly pushed, intending to move Isabella Lynn aside to check their surroundings. Instead, his hand landed on a soft, springy mound. Isabella Lynn let out a scream, quickly pulled away, and stumbled, landing on the floor with a thud.

Andrew Brooks froze for a moment, quickly withdrawing his hand, and asked in a low voice, "Editor Lin, are you alright? I didn't mean to, I'm sorry."

Isabella Lynn fumbled to her feet, leaning against the elevator wall. After a long moment, she replied softly, "I'm fine, it's nothing."

Even though it was dark, Andrew Brooks could still vaguely see Isabella Lynn's delicate figure trembling against the elevator wall. He pounded on the elevator control panel and shouted desperately through the crack in the doors.

But aside from the hollow echo, there was no response.

"It's so dark. I'm afraid of the dark." Andrew Brooks noticed that Isabella Lynn seemed to have curled up beside him, half-squatting down.

Andrew Brooks let out a long breath and suddenly remembered that there was a tiny flashlight on his keychain—a small gift from Emily Summers, bought at a street stall outside Yanda University.

Although the little flashlight's beam was weak and wouldn't last long, at least it provided some light. In this pitch-black, life-threatening elevator, for Isabella Lynn, who was trapped with a strange man, this was already a luxury.

The flashlight flickered on and off, and in the intermittent light, Andrew Brooks suddenly noticed that Isabella Lynn's body was tense, her legs pressed tightly together, slowly bending over, and she kept squirming.