A few minutes later, a loud noise sounded from outside the elevator. Faint voices in a heated discussion could be heard. "Mr. Larson? We're going to force the elevator door open. Please take a few steps back and make sure no one's near the door. Someone's voice came from outside the elevator. Brandon replied to acknowledge him and obediently retreated to a corner. More chaos ensued outside, as though the maintenance personnel were prying the elevator door open with some tools. Some time passed, but there seemed to be no progress. Just then, the elevator shook violently. "Ah!" Janet shrieked, her heart dropping to her stomach. The elevator's sudden movement made her lose her balance. Just as she felt as though she was going to hit the ground, a powerful pair of arms caught her in the darkness. With a low grunt, Brandon pulled her up and held her close. Janet's back was pressed against the wall, while Brandon's body was pressed against hers. He lowered his head until his lips. brushed against her ear. Janet could feel his breath sweeping across her bare skin. Despite him saving her, Brandon's act made Janet even more anxious than the shaking of the elevator. She immediately tried to

shak e him off. "Mr. Larson, please l et go of me. I can st and on my own feet. She was so panic-stricken that she tried t o push Brandon away, but then the elevator shook even more violently all of a sudden. "Don't move!" Brandon barked, grabbing her shoulder forcefully. His low voice was strong yet st eady, and it had the power to s nap people back to their senses. Janet managed to calm down somewhat, at least enough to gather her bearings. Sh e was still very nervous, and her heart . pounded against her chest uncontrollably. She just h ated being touched by men. Ethan was an exception. He always had a mature and reliable temperament, which made Janet feel an inexplicable sense of . security. He also had a str ong aura and anyone in fron t of him would seem weaker. But now that she though t about it, Brandon also made her feel this way. Even though she couldn't see his f ace, she could feel that the man b efore her was decent and reliable. For some reason, he made Janet feel that she cou ld put her trust in him. In fact, Janet thought that it all felt a l ittle familiar, as though it was Ethan stan ding in front of her. She lowered herself and

wrapped her arms around herse lf protectively, trying to ke ep some distance from Brandon. The elevator shook for another ten seconds bef ore it finally stopped. Brandon held Janet s o tight that she bro ke into a cold sweat. The fabric of her dres s got wet, which made her very uncomfortable. Finally, a ray of light pierced through the cra ck in the elevator door. The rescue workers f inally pried the doo r open a centimeter. Raising her head, Janet asked in a low voice, "C an you let go of me now?" . "Oh, ri ght. I'm sorry. Brandon's tone was a little stiff. He imme diately let go of Janet and took two steps back to put a safe distance between them. Simultaneously, on high aler t, Janet retreated to the far thest corner of the elevator. Leaning against the opposite side of the elevator, Brandon sighed silently. He rubb ed his eyebrows and squinted Janet in the . dar kne ss. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just. wanted to make sure you were safe