Estelle ignored Lambert's attempts to draw her into conversation, she just wanted to focus on the juicy steak in front of her.
"Hey, come on, don't give me the cold shoulder." Lambert grumbled, his frustration evident as he watched Estelle savor her meal.
Unperturbed by his complaints, Estelle continued to eat in earnest, letting his words wash over her like idle chatter.
Once the plates were cleared, Estelle posed a nonchalant question, "So, people who research this kind of energy must be pretty impressive, right?"
"Absolutely, they're top-notch talent, world-class!" Lambert exclaimed with a hint of pride.
"Doesn't that mean other countries would want to snag these people?" Estelle inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Lambert chuckled dismissively, "No one's managed to poach anyone from Zion yet. Once they make their mark, Raiden's gonna load them up with enough money to last several lifetimes. Then they get a whole new identity and live the high life for the rest of their days."
Estelle gazed out the window, "Is that tallest building out there the research tower?"
"Yep, off-limits to regular folks."
"And the annex next to it, that's where the researchers live?"
"Probably," Lambert shrugged, "Heard the brains from Zion moved into the annex recently. Those villas are just left for family members now." His eyes then narrowed on Estelle, "Why the sudden interest?"
Estelle replied calmly, "I'm just fascinated by everything here."
His eyes twinkled with something unspoken, "Does that include me?"
She shot him a glance, "I'm heading up to sleep. Don't wander off. If anything happens to you while I'm asleep, it's not my problem."
Lambert's eyes widened in mock offense, "That's irresponsible!"
Lights blazed in every direction and sounds carried from all corners.
It seemed as though those restrained people during the day were now free to let loose in the cover of darkness.
On the ground floor of the annex, a servant's quarters guarded the entrance. Estelle slipped inside, knocking out the duty servant with a swift move. She quickly donned the servant's outfit and complete with a cap and mask before stuffing the unconscious body into a closet.
Once disguised, Estelle moved with confidence, making her way to the kitchen. She began pushing a cart filled with midnight snacks towards the elevator. Each box on the cart was labeled with a name and room number.
Heading for the third floor, where the first snack delivery awaited, Estelle knocked on door 303. After a three-minute wait, a man answered. It’s a plump man in his forties, wrapped in a towel.
"Good evening, your midnight snack is ready!" Estelle said, her eyes lowered respectfully.
"Come in, put it in the dining room," the man instructed, stepping aside to let her enter.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....
Update 3103 hasn't been received and it hold pertinent information. Please fix it for us. Thank you....
This is great! I love the updates....
Now Xavier needs to call in the reinforcement, Gabriel and Jonathan to settle this. Thank you for the updates....
May we please have updates. Thank you...
Xavier will always protect Norah he must admit this to himself and Norah. I believe after they return from this , he'll need to approach Norah 's parents and he'll get support from Jonathan and Ella....
I like how you are getting all the different love interest committed, thank you for the updates....