Chapter 704:
Realizing that he was feeling something he shouldn’t, Verruckt grabbed the clothes from the floor, inspecting them with annoyance before saying, “Your body’s covered in scratches, yet your clothes are untouched?”
“I changed my top,” Allison pointed toward the cleaning supply room. “Someone must have seen me go in to change.”noveldrama
Verruckt threw the clothes back at her, his irritation palpable. “Get dressed and come with me.”
He turned toward the cleaning supply room door, heading straight for it. It was the second time he’d found himself here — both times because of the same woman.
Verruckt knew something was off with him. Normally, once he settled on a suspect, he’d have them disposed of in a heartbeat, no questions asked. But Alice was… different. Maybe it wasn’t Alice he was after. Maybe she was just a stand-in for subject 001.
Bang— The door to the cleaning supply room crashed open, revealing a scene of chaos inside, as if someone had been searching for something of great importance. Without hesitation, Verruckt’s eyes locked on Allison. “Were you searching for something, or were you hiding something?”
Jareth, who had followed close behind, barked orders at the security personnel. “Turn this room upside down. Check every crevice.”
Allison, well prepared, met Verruckt’s intense gaze and spoke. “I was in pain and thought I’d find some medicine in the room, but I couldn’t find anything.”
Every journey starts at gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․c𝗈𝗆
“Who told you there’d be medicine here?”
“I guessed. There are so many people in lab coats. I thought there’d be medicine nearby.”
Most people would assume anyone in a lab coat was a doctor. The researchers, uncomfortable under the pressure, lowered their gazes, acutely aware that their activities weren’t exactly above board.
The security personnel ransacked the tool room, turning up a coffee-stained top and nothing else. Jareth, with a mix of frustration and resignation, reported back to Verruckt. “Mr. Shaw, it seems there’s nothing of interest here.” And with that, any evidence that might have pointed to Alice as the assassin vanished. All the suspicions now had neatly tied-up explanations.
Verruckt’s gaze returned to Allison, who stood in the corner, clutching her top like a cornered animal. “It wasn’t me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ll cooperate with anything. Any evidence you need.” Her clothes remained off, her scars still visible, each one a story of its own.
Verruckt’s irritation flared once more. “Put your clothes on.” His palms suddenly felt warm, as though the heat from her clothes lingered.
The faint scent of peaches lingered in the air, a scent he couldn’t shake — just like subject 001’s.
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