?<strong>Chapter 497:</strong>


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    “The earring is indeed in Fleeinnd and linked to a human experimentationb, but the blood on it belongs to a stranger.”


    Allison flipped through the report, her gaze settling on the profile of an unfamiliar woman.


    “Lilian Reynard, thirty-eight, from Vrining.”


    She examined the details. “My mother wouldn’t know her. There’s no logical reason for her to have this earring.”


    “She has a record,” Gordon exined. “Ten years ago, she was well-known in the underground gambling rings of Vrining, working as a dealer. But she couldn’t resist the thrill, lost everything, and fell into debt. In the end, she resorted to selling herself to survive. Eventually, she was caught and spent time in jail.”


    Allison leaned back, processing the information. “A woman desperate and short on cash… it seems likely she stole it.” She doubted her mother would have given such a meaningful keepsake to someone like that.


    Ken considered her request, then nodded. “I’ll help you find the ck market trader as soon as possible.”


    “Thank you, Mr. Lloyd.” Allison wasn’t one for unnecessary pleasantries. Since Ken was already involved, she’d leave it at that.


    But Gordon bristled, visibly unhappy. “Since Mr. Lloyd is so helpful, why don’t you take a break today, Allison?” he suggested, giving her a hopeful look. “How about a movie tonight?”


    Ken shot him a nce. “Tonight’s showing is a horror movie. If you actually want her to rx, maybe pick something less… intense.”


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    Gordon opened his mouth, momentarily speechless, before forcing a smile. “Well, maybe if someone hadn’t interrupted our earlier conversation, she’d already be rxing.”


    “Oh, my apologies for that.” Ken’s tone was civil but icy. The tension between the two men was almost palpable. Allison felt the onset of a headache.


    She looked at them both tly. “You two enjoy your chat. I have work to do.”


    Without waiting for a reply, Allison turned and walked away, leaving Ken and Gordon behind in the silent alley. Neither said a word. The two men spun on their heels and left in opposite directions.


    At the secret base in Muisvedo, Amya was hunched over a massive holographic screen, scanning through streams ofplex data. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice Allison standing behind her until a light tap on her shoulder made her jump.


    “How’s the mainframe restorationing along?” Allison asked, her voice calm.


    Amya nearly fell out of her chair, clutching her chest with a gasp. “Boss, you walk like a ghost!”


    Allison smirked. “Or maybe you’re just easily startled.”


    Amya chuckled sheepishly, ncing back at the screen. “Well, we’re close — only thirty percent of the garbled data left to clear.”


    “Good job.” Allison nodded approvingly. “Once the mainframe’s fixed, you’ll get a bonus.”


    Amya beamed. “Thanks, boss!”


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