Just then, there was a sharp knock on the door.
Seraphina snapped out of her thoughts and got up to answer it.
Standing outside was Zachary, tall and stern.
He glanced at Seraphina and said firmly, "We leave in ten minutes."
Seraphina was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood what Zachary meant.
She knew she had to leave and couldn't stay here any longer.
She hurriedly began packing her suitcase, stuffing in important items and clothes.
She even took a moment to check herself in the mirror.
Ten minutes later, Seraphina walked out of the room with her suitcase.
She followed Zachary to the parking lot, where three black SUVs were parked, looking imposing.
Knox stood by one of the cars, smiling as he greeted her, "Ms. York, please get in."
Seraphina nodded and followed Knox to one of the vehicles.
Once inside, she noticed Zachary was already seated in the front passenger seat.
As she was about to sit down, Zachary turned to her with a serious look and said, "Buckle up."
Startled by his stern gaze, Seraphina quickly fastened her seatbelt.
Knox got into the driver's seat and turned to Seraphina, saying, "By the way, Nico's been locked up for soliciting. You don't have to worry about him bothering you anymore."
Hearing this, Seraphina felt a mix of surprise and relief.
She hadn't expected Zachary and his team to help her so much, and she was filled with gratitude.
She looked at Zachary and sincerely said, "Thank you."
Zachary didn't respond, just gave a slight nod.
Knox started the car, and the three SUVs drove out of the gate in unison.
The cars sped down the highway, quickly disappearing into the distance.
During the ride, Knox cheerfully offered Seraphina a lollipop, which she accepted with a smile.
After a while, Seraphina began to feel hungry.
She had hoped there would be food in the car, but after searching, she only found some bread and water.
Resigned, she picked up a piece of bread and started eating, feeling a bit frustrated.
The long drive made her body ache, and she felt drowsy, her head bobbing uncomfortably with the car's movements.
Unable to bear it, Seraphina turned to Zachary, her eyes showing fatigue and dependence.
Zachary was slightly taken aback but then shifted his position, allowing Seraphina to rest her head on his shoulder.
Her breathing gradually steadied, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Knox glanced at them through the rearview mirror, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
He turned to Zachary and said, "Mr. Baker, you're lucky. A beautiful woman falling asleep on your shoulder."
Zachary's face remained impassive, but he adjusted his position slightly to make Seraphina more comfortable.
The vehicle continued along the winding mountain road, the scenery outside transitioning from the bustling city to the desolate wilderness. The mountains rose and fell, creating a rugged landscape.
As night fell, the view outside became increasingly obscure.
The car navigated through the mountains, branches occasionally brushing against the roof with a rustling sound.
After a long ten-hour drive, they finally reached their destination.
By then, the landscape outside was completely shrouded in darkness, with only the stars in the sky providing a faint light to guide their way.
Suddenly, the car hit a pothole, causing a jolt that woke Seraphina.
She looked around, disoriented by the pitch-black surroundings.
Zachary calmly reassured her, "It's okay, we're here."
Seraphina rubbed her eyes, gradually adjusting to the environment.
She noticed a faint light flickering in the distance, like a beacon guiding them forward.
The vehicle slowly approached the light, eventually stopping in front of a hidden cave.
Once the car was parked, Knox opened the door and gestured for her to get out.
Seraphina carefully stepped out, her legs feeling weak from the long ride.
Knox patiently waited for her to regain her balance before leading her into the cave.
The entrance was concealed by dense foliage, making it hard to spot unless you knew where to look.
The narrow entrance only allowed one person to pass at a time, but once inside, the space opened up significantly. The cave's interior was much larger than it appeared from the outside, with high ceilings and smooth walls that seemed meticulously polished.
Soft wall lights embedded in the cave walls cast a gentle glow, adding a touch of mystery and warmth to the atmosphere.
"I never would have guessed that this unassuming cave would be so spacious inside," Seraphina said, her voice filled with awe.
"Yeah, it's a perfect hidden spot," Knox replied.
The path was smooth and wide, paved with concrete, making it comfortable to walk on.
The temperature inside the cave was just right, neither too hot nor too cold.
There were also many branching tunnels leading in different directions.
"This place is amazing, like an underground maze," Seraphina marveled again.
"Indeed, it's easy to get lost if you're not familiar with it," Knox said with a smile.
Seraphina looked around, filled with curiosity and confusion, unsure of where she was. She only remembered following Knox and Zachary through a series of twists and turns.
She quietly asked Knox, "Where are we?"
Knox gave a mysterious smile and didn't answer directly, only saying, "You'll be safe here. You'll need to stay for a while."
Seraphina shrugged, resigned, and began to take in her temporary accommodations.
She found the living conditions to be just passable. The room was small, about ten square meters, with only a small window letting in dim light.
The bathroom was communal, which she found inconvenient.
Knox seemed to read her thoughts and mentioned, "Mr. Baker's room has a private bathroom. If you need, you can use his."
Seraphina was tempted. She had a bit of a cleanliness obsession and didn't like sharing bathrooms.
After the long journey, she felt grimy and needed a shower to relax.
So, she decided to ask Zachary if she could use his bathroom.
With Knox's guidance, she found Zachary's room.
She stood at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked lightly.
The door opened, and Zachary appeared.
He had just showered, and the scent of his body wash lingered in the air.
He was wearing beach shorts, his upper body bare, revealing defined collarbones, a muscular chest, and abs.
Despite a few scars, his physique was impressive and striking.
Seraphina was momentarily stunned, forgetting why she had come.
It wasn't until Zachary asked, "What is it?" that she snapped out of it and stammered, "I... I was hoping to use your bathroom."
Zachary frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then stepped aside to let her in. "Alright, go ahead."
Seraphina entered the room, feeling the masculine energy in the air, her heart racing and cheeks flushing.
She glanced around Zachary's room, noting its efficient layout despite its small size.
A tall bookshelf filled with books dominated the small living area.
The bathroom was clean and tidy, and a double bed took up most of the bedroom space. The room's arrangement and items suggested it was his long-term residence.
She didn't dare look too long, afraid Zachary would notice her thoughts.
She quickly stepped into the bathroom and closed the door, starting her shower.
The water washed away her fatigue and anxiety.