A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1422

Bernard seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to reading Yates' mind. His deep pupils flicked over the shoulder to the team behind him.

The Sirens, known for their tight-knit operations, often needed no more than a shared glance to understand their leader’s intentions.

Evan and Gianna slowed their pace, and the others followed suit, halting their approach.

For Yates, using Eleanor as a bargaining chip was nothing more than a desperate ploy of a man at his wit's end.

They'd play along for now, and the moment Bernard stepped in, the rest would jam the surveillance systems and follow suit.

They had plenty of tricks up their sleeves for dealing with Yates, so it didn't matter if Bernard went in alone.

After all, the Sirens, Evan, Gianna, Aidyn, Robin—they all had Bernard’s back.

With an air of indifference, Bernard punched in the code, and the white, square walls slid open swiftly from either side.

Bernard strode through the opening, and as he did, the automatic doors snapped shut with startling speed.

The dark corridor lit up, one bulb at a time, leading to the elevator entrance.

Bernard walked along the polished concrete, through the corridor, step by step toward the elevator.

Descending about five floors, a faint light shone through the glass, casting shadows.

It was the incandescent light from the emergency room, reflecting off the elevator glass, slightly glaring.

Bernard's eyes, beneath his thick brows, met the light as he faced Yates, standing in the corridor.

Between them lay a few yards and countless infrared beams.

One more step from Bernard, and the bullets hidden in the shadows would pierce him.

"Sorry, but we’re adversaries, after all. I have to take my precautions," Yates said with feigned politeness.

Bernard didn't entertain his words. Beneath his thick brows, his gaze moved past the infrared beams, surveying his surroundings with detachment.

"Eleanor?" he asked.

Yates pressed a button on the control panel, and the door to Eleanor’s room began to open slowly.

Eleanor, who had been sitting up on the bed, suddenly looked up at the sound.

The door opened, but, unfortunately, as it did, a bulletproof glass barrier slammed down with alarming speed.

Eleanor was still confined within, only now she could see her surroundings clearly, including the man standing in the corridor.

As the door opened, Bernard lifted his gaze, brilliant as stars, to meet hers. Their eyes locked, fixated on each other, unmoving.