Chapter 699:
Allisonâs breath caught in her throat. It became clear: he was questioning her. His seemingly nonchalant tone was laced with intent, designed to unnerve her and force a truthful answer.
She quickly calculated her response, lowering her eyes and feigning innocence. âI just⦠suddenly felt thirsty.â
Jareth, who had been watching closely, wasted no time in calling her bluff. âLiar, thatâs not why you went to the break room.â
Verrucktâs face darkened, his eyes narrowing as if heâd caught her in the act. He glanced at the final layer of bandage on her arm, his voice now laced with ice.
âIs there any point in continuing, Alice?â
Allison flinched, her eyes flickering with a moment of indecision. âNâ¦no,â she whispered.
Without hesitation, Verruckt ripped off the final layer of the bandage, exposing her arm fully. A collective gasp filled the room as everyoneâs eyes locked onto her wound.
A large, angry burn marred Allisonâs skin, its severity clear to anyone who looked. But there was more â near the burn, a cut, clean and deep, unmistakably made by a sharp object.
Jarethâs frown deepened. âLooks like a knife wound.â
The black-clad men surrounding them sprang into action, their weapons drawn and trained on Allison.
Verrucktâs eyes pierced through her, cold and unwavering, as he studied the trembling woman before him.
âSo, Miss Assassin,â he said, his voice dripping with venom, âare you still going to play the helpless victim?â
His grip on her wrist tightened, a promise of unspoken violence hanging in the air. Despite the pressure, Verruckt found himself doubting her. This delicate, seemingly naive woman couldnât possibly be the ruthless assassin he had just battled. Perhaps her acting was simply impeccable.
âWhat assassin?â Allison feigned confusion, her voice innocent, yet tinged with fear.
She broke from her apparent panic, glancing at the guns trained on her before shaking her head in distress. âI⦠Iâm not. I just broke the microwave. Please, donât fire meâ¦â
Verrucktâs expression darkened, suspicion crawling across his features. âWhat did you say?â
She hurriedly gestured to her arm, her voice pleading. âThis wound⦠It was caused by a coffee can that exploded. You can see the coffee stains on me. I donât know anything about the knife wound or assassinsâ¦â
Her words tumbled out in a frantic sob, her eyes wide with genuine fear. âIâm sorry, Mr. Shaw. I didnât mean to hide the coffee explosion⦠I was just so scared.â
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