Back at the hotel, I was too tired to move. Atlas bent down, gave me a quick look, then gently removed my shoes.

I rolled onto the bed with a grumble, and Atlas softly suggested, "Go take a shower before you sleep, okay?"

"I don't want to," I replied with my eyes closed.

Ignoring my protests, he lifted me up, undressed me, and carried me into the bathroom. I had no strength to resist, so I quickly showered then hurried back to bed.

After finishing his own shower, Atlas came out with a hairdryer to dry my hair. Looking at him, I asked, "Can't we get Beatrice out first? I don't want her to suffer in there anymore."

"Don't get impatient. We need to plan this carefully. If we act hastily, it might lead to a chain reaction. We can't let them figure out what’s going on. They won't stay calm for long. What happened today will put Byron on alert. I've arranged for someone to monitor him secretly and prevent him from doing anything desperate."

Atlas comforted me while blow-drying my hair.