Cressida quickly made up an excuse to slip out of the private room. Instead of taking the elevator, she bolted into the stairwell, racing up to the third floor.
Meanwhile, Merrick tried calling Oriana again, but she still didn't pick up.
Recalling the scolding he had just received from Uncle Killian, he angrily called Nichole. "Have you seen Oriana come out? Do you even realize the mess you've gotten me into today?"
Nichole was taken aback. Why was Merrick's tone so harsh?
"I didn't see anyone leave from the entrance. What do you mean I caused you trouble? Didn't you find Oriana and Uncle Killian?"
Merrick's brow furrowed, frustration boiling over. "If I had found Oriana, would I be asking you? I just ran into Uncle Killian, but Oriana wasn't in the room."
He then warned, "Nichole, d
