Smack!

Her hand, poised to strike, was suddenly seized, twisted, and thrust back, causing her to collide with a column. Pain shot through Adaline, tears springing to her eyes.

Lilah's eyes widened in surprise at the man who had intervened. Clad in an immaculate black suit, Gerard stood with broad shoulders, a commanding stance, and a piercing gaze. Beside him was Jerrold, outfitted in a similar, smaller suit, lending him a serious yet endearing demeanor.

"Gerard, what brings you here?" Lilah's surprise was evident.

"A business trip. I happened to pass by," Gerard's voice rumbled, and he approached Lilah while Jerrold clutched her hand. Both sported icy demeanors. Gerard's gaze landed on Iker as he spoke. "What kind of man are you? Allowing your girlfriend to act like a lunatic and create such a scene in public?"

Adaline's complexion shifted from a ghostly white to a fiery red. Did Gerard say she was a Lunatic?

Iker, upon laying eyes on Gerard, felt an overwhelming pressure that constricted his chest. "There's been a misunderstanding. We should leave," he declared.

With those words, he seized Adaline's hand, and they beat a hasty retreat.

Lilah couldn't conceal her disdain for Iker's demeanor. She pivoted to Gerard, inquiring, "Why is Jerrold tagging along on your business trip?"

"He's on a break from school. He's sticking with me for the next couple of days, you know, to see a bit more of the world," Gerard responded with a stern expression. "I didn't anticipate bumping into you."

Jerrold's eyes, dark as night, twinkled, and his smile proved contagious. Lilah let out a chuckle, hoisted Jerrold up, and playfully squeezed his plump cheek. She then turned to Gerard, probing further, "Is he bunking with you tonight?"

"Yes, we intended to stay at the Grand Hotel," Gerard confirmed.

Lilah's face lit up with surprise. "That's my hotel too!"

What a series of fortuitous events!

However, their luck seemed to run short at the hotel when they were greeted with regretful faces at the reception. "We're terribly sorry, sir, but we've sold out of rooms."

"There's really not a single room left?" Lilah's brow creased in disbelief.

It was astounding that such a sizable hotel was fully booked.

The receptionist elaborated, “Indeed, we're hosting all the designers from the National Design Competition, so we're at full capacity."

The rationale was sound, leaving Lilah without options. She glanced at Gerard, concern evident in her voice. "What's our next move?

Should we try hotels nearby?"

"Jerrold won't really settle for those, and they're quite a distance from my destination," Gerard responded.

They were indeed in a pickle!

Then, an idea struck Lilah. “Why don't you both bunk with me? I've got a suite, and it's got two bedrooms."

A flicker of something indefinable passed through Gerard's deep eyes.