Chapter 706:
The tension between Gordon and Amya had been palpable as they watched her every move on the surveillance feed. After Allison cut off the earpieceâs power, they had been glued to the monitor. They had watched her pour coffee over herself, adjust the pipes, and even cut her skin, their brows furrowing in unspoken empathy, as if they could feel her struggle.
Allison remained unfazed. âBut I made it out, didnât I?â
âConsider it a temporary escape,â Gordon replied, his frown still evident. âI have a gut feeling that guy hasnât given up on suspecting you. Heâll definitely keep an eye on you.â
âYeah, no doubt,â Allison said, her voice steady. âBut as long as I stay under the radar for now, his doubts will eventually fade.â
After tidying up and tending to her wound, Allison made her way back to the second basement level. But when she reached her workstation, it was gone â nothing remained, not even the desk.
âWhereâs my desk?â she asked one of the nearby researchers, confusion creeping into her voice.
The commotion on the first basement level hadnât reached the second, and the researchers went about their business with their usual detached indifference.
âItâs with Mr. Shaw,â one researcher said, pointing toward Verrucktâs office as he continued his work. âYou must be in his good graces,â the researcher added without looking up.
Allison stood frozen for a moment, her thoughts racing, then followed his gesture. Her workstation had been moved entirely into Verrucktâs office. What had once been separated by a glass wall was now an open space, placing her directly in Verrucktâs line of sight. Taking a deep breath, Allison knocked on Verrucktâs office door.
âMr. Shaw, why is my desk here?â she asked.
âYouâll be working here from now on,â Verruckt said, his tone impassive. âSince you broke the microwave, youâll need to make amends. A cleanerâs wage wonât cut it, so youâll be in charge of organizing the documents.â
âUnderstood,â Allison said with a nod.
Her gaze fell on the mound of papers that cluttered her new desk.
Jareth, standing nearby with an almost knowing smile, added, âBetter show some gratitude. A job like this is one many would kill for. And donât worry, the files are numbered. Just sort them in order.â
âThanks, Mr. Shaw!â Allison responded with a grin, her expression almost too sincere. Her eyes, however, scanned the files in front of her.
The contents were outdated, trivial, or discarded paperwork. It wasnât work â more like a carefully disguised task to keep her occupied.
It was clear: this wasnât a promotion. It was a watchful eye, and she was the one being watched.
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