She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 51

Herbert lost his patience as Hulda still hadn't come out. He called for the designated driver again.

Once the driver was in place, he checked the time, frowning slightly, and stood up.

"Leaving already?" Justin asked.

"Yeah, I have things to handle tomorrow," Herbert nodded, grabbing his jacket. His eyes flicked toward the restrooms one last time.

Just as he pulled out his phone, intending to call Hulda, Sylvie's name flashed on the screen.

"Mr. Jewell, the power went out in the lab, and I'm locked inside! It's so dark, I'm so scared..." Sylvie's voice trembled through the speaker. She was clearly terrified.

"Are you okay?" Herbert, who had just started walking toward the restrooms, stopped dead in his tracks. "Don't panic. Stay right where you are. I'm on my way."

"Okay... okay... please hurry, Mr. Jewell... I'm really—Ah!" A sharp scream pierced the audio before the line went dead.

"Sylvie! Sylvie!" No matter how many times Herbert dialed back, the call went unanswered.

"What happened? Is Sylvie in trouble?" Justin stood up, suddenly tense.

Professionally, Sylvie was a crucial employee.

Privately, she was Herbert's most prized protégé, and Justin was on good terms with her too.

"Yeah. The lab lost power, and she's trapped inside," Herbert explained as he hurried out.

Hearing that the company lab was in trouble, Justin couldn't sit back. After a quick word to the rest of the table, he rushed after Herbert.

"Why would the power suddenly go out? Doesn't the building have a backup generator? Why didn't it kick in?" Justin was anxious. The lab was the company's core. Any mishap there would be a devastating blow.

"I don't know, it must be a malfunction. Sylvie is in there alone and terrified. I have no idea what just happened to her." The memory of her final scream made Herbert walk even faster.

But just as a spark of hope ignited in her chest, Herbert's voice poured over her like a bucket of ice water. "Hulda, if you can come out, then come out. If you don't want to, then stay in there forever."

Then, with a cold beep, the call was heartlessly disconnected.

"Herbert! Herbert Jewell!" Hulda dialed his number over and over, but it wouldn't connect. He had blocked her again.

At that exact moment, the stall door was violently kicked open.

A heavy slap struck Hulda's face.

"Stupid bitch! I told you to open the door!"

Hulda crashed against the partition. Her phone slipped from her grip, the screen shattering against the tiles as a deafening ringing consumed her ears.