Chapter 841:
âThe thing is, my strength isnât just natural. It was amplified on the island by researchers dosing me with drugs. Bill got wind of it and had his people whip up a similar concoction.â
There was a menacing edge to Verrucktâs voice.
âHe wanted me powerful, yet under his thumb.â Allison inhaled sharply. âSo youâre essentially chained to his bidding.â
âPretty much,â Verruckt answered, his tone shadowed with darkness.
âThatâs also why Bill is in bed with Immortality Pharmaceuticals. He needs a workaround â someone to develop new drugs without letting me know. Iâve been butting heads with Immortality Pharmaceuticals for years, while the mayor makes a killing off both sides.â
At that moment, Allisonâs face twisted in genuine disgust. âWhat a despicable, shameless man.â
Despite this, Verruckt kept his cool. âThatâs precisely why I ask you to stay by my side â to keep you away from danger.â
He stood up and leaned in, their gazes locking.
âAlice, itâs my turn to ask you something.â
Allison stiffened and instinctively covered her neck.
âSure, but can we skip the injections? They sting.â
âOf course,â Verruckt agreed, his generosity tinged with an air of superiority.
He was adept at picking up on subtle cues and never imagined Alice might be playing him.
He was less interested in digging into her past and more focused on the present.
âAlice, how did you meet your boyfriend?â
Allison had been preparing to come up with a strategy, but she hadnât expected him to ask about Kellan.
Melanyâs words from earlier echoed in her mind, so she repeated them verbatim. âItâs really nothing extraordinary. I was always the target of bullies at school, and he was the one who stood up for me. Thatâs how our friendship began.â
Allison wove her tale, leaning into her made-up past as a stowaway.
âWe were both pretty lousy students, and our families had their share of problems. Later, our families couldnât support us anymore, so we dropped out of school. Then he brought me here hoping we could make some money.â
Verruckt studied her closely, his eyes searching for any hint of a lie.
Yet, Allison was a picture of composure, her expressions meticulously controlled.
âIt sounds like youâre just grateful to him. Are you sure you love him?â Verruckt remarked.
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