CHAPTER 50 — The Encounter (Part 1)
London — Midnight Panic
London had fallen into the quiet rhythm of midnight.
From the windows of the luxury hotel's upper floors, the city glowed beneath a blanket of lights — bridges shining across the Thames, distant traffic humming far below, and the famous skyline standing tall in the darkness.
The hotel itself, however, was silent.
The entire top level had been reserved exclusively for the gala and conference guests — the most powerful people invited from across the world.
CEOs.
Medical leaders.
Tech innovators.
Athletes.
Strategists.
Tonight, most of them had already retired to their suites after long flights and busy preparation meetings.
But on one floor…
Everything was about to change.
Percy's Suite
Inside one of the largest suites on the floor, Percy Mariano sat at the desk reviewing a presentation on his laptop.
Graphs.
Hospital investment charts.
Expansion strategies.
Typical late-night work for someone who owned Mariano Company.
Across the room, Honey sat near the tall window overlooking London.
She had a tablet in her hands, going through a list of upcoming hospital charity programs.
They had both been working nonstop since landing.
But Honey looked exhausted.
Percy noticed it several times already.
He glanced over again.
"You should sleep."
Honey didn't even look up.
"Five minutes."
Percy closed the laptop halfway.
"You said that thirty minutes ago."
Honey smiled faintly.
"I know."
She finally stood up from the chair.
But the moment she did—
Something felt wrong.
Her vision blurred.
The room tilted slightly.
She grabbed the back of the chair.
Percy's instincts caught it immediately.
"Honey?"
She tried to answer.
But the words never came.
Her knees suddenly gave out.
"Honey—!"
Percy rushed forward just in time, catching her before she hit the floor.
Her body went limp in his arms.
"Honey!"
No response.
Her eyes were closed.
For a moment…
Percy completely froze.
Fear hit him hard.
"Honey… wake up."
He shook her shoulder carefully.
Nothing.
His heartbeat started racing.
He lifted her onto the couch quickly.
Still unconscious.
Percy grabbed his phone immediately.
His hands were shaking slightly.
First call.
Then another.
Within seconds he had called everyone from Section E.
Section E Gathers
The hallway outside Percy's suite suddenly came alive.
Doors opened.
Footsteps rushed.
Endrix arrived first, half awake, hair messy.
"What happened?"
Percy barely managed to answer.
"She fainted."
Freya appeared behind Endrix instantly.
"Oh my God."
She rushed to Honey's side.
Aries and Ella arrived next.
Ella immediately crouched near the couch.
"Did she fall?"
Percy shook his head.
"No. She just collapsed."
Freya touched Honey's forehead.
"She's cold."
Endrix rubbed his face, trying to wake himself fully.
"What the hell happened?"
Percy ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't know."
Honey still hadn't moved.
The tension inside the room grew heavier.
Ella checked Honey's breathing again.
"Her pulse is there."
Freya exhaled slowly.
But Percy still looked terrified.
Then Aries suddenly asked the one question that made everyone pause.
"Where's Cin?"
Silence fell.
Cin.
The doctor of their group.
The one person they needed right now.
But he wasn't there.
Endrix frowned.
"He went out."
Freya nodded.
"With Rakhi."
Percy cursed quietly under his breath.
"Of all times…"
Honey still hadn't woken up.
And now the entire group felt helpless.
Another Hallway — Same Floor
Meanwhile, a few doors away…
Nova stepped out of her room holding a water bottle.
Ben leaned against the wall outside his own room.
"Couldn't sleep?"
Nova shrugged.
"Conference nerves."
Ben raised an eyebrow.
"You run a hospital chain."
Nova rolled her eyes.
"And surgeons still get nervous before presenting."
Kevin's door opened next.
Ash appeared behind him.
Alex and Lyra stepped out moments later.
Daisy and Joong were coming from the other side of the hallway.
The whole ten-person group slowly gathered without even planning it.
Cole walked toward them.
"What's going on?"
Before anyone could answer—
They heard running footsteps.
Everyone turned.
Down the hallway—
Two figures were moving quickly.
JJ.
Keifer.
Behind them, two hotel staff members followed in a hurry.
Kevin frowned.
"Why are they running?"
Ash crossed her arms.
"That doesn't look normal."
Keifer saw them and spoke while still moving.
"Someone fainted."
Nova reacted instantly.
"Where?"
"Room 2107."
That was enough.
Nova immediately started walking fast in that direction.
Ben followed her.
Cole looked at the rest of the group.
"Come."
Within seconds—
All ten of them were moving down the hallway.
Inside Percy's Room
When the door opened again—
The room was filled with tension.
Honey lay unconscious on the couch.
Freya sat beside her holding her hand.
Ella stood nearby.
Aries was pacing.
Endrix leaned against the wall looking frustrated.
And Percy stood near the couch like the world had stopped.
Nova stepped forward immediately.
"Move."
Her tone carried calm authority.
Everyone instinctively stepped aside.
She crouched beside Honey.
Checked her pulse.
Her breathing.
Her eyes.
Ben quietly placed their emergency medical kit beside her.
Percy watched every movement carefully.
"What's wrong with her?"
Nova spoke calmly.
"Let me check first."
She examined Honey carefully.
Checked hydration levels.
Pulse rhythm.
Skin temperature.
The room stayed silent.
Finally Nova opened the medical kit and took out a small tablet.
"She's extremely exhausted."
Freya frowned.
"Exhausted?"
Nova nodded.
"Too much work. Stress. Probably dehydration."
She carefully lifted Honey's head and helped her swallow the medicine with water.
"Her body just forced a shutdown."
Percy finally exhaled slightly.
"Will she wake up?"
"Yes."
And almost on cue—
Honey stirred slightly.
Her eyelids moved.
Then slowly opened.
"Percy…?"
Relief hit the room instantly.
Percy leaned closer.
"Honey!"
Freya laughed softly in relief.
"Oh thank God."
Endrix dropped into a chair dramatically.
"I thought this trip was starting with a funeral."
Ella sighed.
"Endrix…"
Honey sat up slowly, still weak.
"Sorry…"
Freya hugged her immediately.
"You scared everyone."
Percy squeezed her hand tightly.
"Don't ever do that again."
Honey gave a tired smile.
"I didn't plan it."
Two Groups Notice Each Other
As the room finally calmed down—
Percy looked toward the door.
Only now did he properly notice the ten unfamiliar people standing there.
He frowned slightly.
"…Who are they?"
JJ glanced toward Nova.
"The doctor who just helped Honey."
Percy immediately stood up.
Grateful.
"Thank you."
Nova shook her head.
"It's nothing serious."
Ben added casually,
"She just needs rest."
Honey leaned back against the couch now, breathing easier.
Freya was still sitting beside her.
Meanwhile—
Both groups were now looking at each other.
Curious.
Observing.
Two different groups.
Two different energies.
But somehow standing in the same room.
Cole's calm leadership presence.
JJ and Keifer's sharp strategic aura.
Ash quietly analyzing everything.
Kevin watching like he was enjoying a movie.
Lyra observing the room.
Alex silently studying people.
Daisy and Joong standing together.
Nova and Ben near the couch.
Endrix watching them with interest.
Aries and Ella exchanging glances.
Freya curious.
Percy still holding Honey's hand.
And Care standing quietly among her group.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Both groups simply…
Observed each other.