Chapter 571

Brittany glanced subconsciously at Brandon. She still hadn't located Alexander and felt uneasy at the unusual sound. She approached the door and knocked. Unsure who was inside, she needed to find out.

"Is anyone there?" she asked.

There was no answer. She knocked again, but the room remained silent. The earlier loud noise was gone, replaced by an unnerving quiet.

Brandon looked back. "I'll inform the hotel staff to check this room. Something might have happened to the guest." He started to make a call when the door opened. Arianna stood there, hair tousled, eyes half-closed, clearly still sleepy. She peered out. "Who is it?"

"Ari?" Brittany was surprised. She hadn't expected Arianna, especially in this room. "Tanny? Why are so many people here?"

Arianna covered her mouth, yawning. "Didn't you return to your room to rest?"

"Yes, I did, but my brother is here to take me home," Brittany replied, her gaze fixed on Arianna. She then peered into the room.

Ari... Alex... Brittany felt a growing unease, though she couldn't place what was wrong.

"Why did Brandon bring so many people to take you home?" Arianna scratched her head. "Bye then. I'm going back to sleep." She started to close the door, but Brittany stopped her. Smiling, Brittany asked, "There was a loud noise in your room just now, Ari. Did you drop something? Are you alright?"

Arianna didn't object as Brittany entered. The waiting paparazzi, equally curious, tried to follow, but Arianna stopped them. "I don't think it's appropriate for you to come in. Don't you agree?"

Brittany searched the room, finding nothing amiss—no one else, no sign of the earlier commotion. Did Ari fall from the bed? The bed was indeed messy, but there was no trace of anyone else. Was she overthinking? Many things felt wrong. She checked the bathroom; it was empty. Is there honestly no one else here?

Suddenly, Arianna leaned over Brittany's shoulder. "What are you looking for?"

Startled, Brittany quickly shook her head. "I-It's nothing! You need to be careful and close the door since you're alone, Ari. Have a good rest!"

Brittany left. The disappointed paparazzi, finding no story, dispersed. Brittany remained silent on the way back. Brandon, noticing her deep frown, couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking?"

"It's nothing," Brittany shook her head, still puzzled by Arianna's presence in the opposite room. "Brandon… is Alex…"