The mounting uncertainty became oppressive.

Sierra urgently dialed Blayze's number.

Should Tyrone have taken the elevator, logic dictated that he would disembark at the underground garage, not the first-floor lobby.

She descended via the elevator to the subterranean parking, stepping out into the dimly lit expanse. Two vigilant sentinels stood watch at the exit.

"Have you seen Tyrone exiting just now?" Sierra inquired anxiously.

"No." Both of them shook their heads.

"When did you arrive here?"

One of them consulted his wristwatch and replied, “Approximately 8:53 p.m."

Her heart raced. When she realized Tyrone wasn't in his room, she called Blayze at 8:50 p.m.

Upon receiving Blayze's directive, the secretary had promptly dispatched his men to watch the area and prevent Tyrone from running away. A mere three minutes had passed.

However, if Tyrone had taken the elevator from the thirty-second floor directly to the underground garage without stopping, the journey would have taken less than two minutes.

"Miss Rivera, what's amiss?" one of the guards inquired.

Sierra lacked the luxury of time for a detailed explanation and briskly walked away.

If Tyrone had reached the underground garage, his departure would undoubtedly have been rushed, given his drugged state and the fear of apprehension.

Hence, she proceeded to see if Tyrone's vehicle was still there.

If his car remained in its place, Tyrone would remain concealed within the hotel. If the vehicle was absent...

Sierra, with a heartened sigh, saw Tyrone's vehicle, its familiar license plate number reassuring her.

She pivoted and retraced her steps, only to be abruptly seized by a large hand that swiftly muffled her mouth and whisked her into a secluded corner.

Eyes widened in alarm, Sierra fought valiantly, yet her struggles proved futile.

Jennie had been attending kindergarten for a fortnight.