?<strong>Chapter 654:</strong>


    Her outfit wasn’t revealing, but she acted as though it was too much to bear. She clutched the uniform tightly against her chest, unwilling to give it up.


    “Can I keep the tank top on? I… I’ve got ugly scars,” she added, ying the part of the shy, insecure woman.


    Although Allison was thest to be searched, her drawn-out hesitation still made the guard angrier. Impatient, the female guard stepped forward and grabbed her uniform.


    “I don’t care about your scars. Give me the clothes, or get out!”


    Ken, standing in the adjacent line, heard themotion and instinctively looked up, his gaze locking with Allison’s. For a brief second, their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them.


    “Apologies, this is my girlfriend,” Ken said, approaching with an easy smile. “She’s a little shy and hasn’t had much experience with this.”


    It seemed like he was snatching Allison’s clothes, but in reality, she discreetly passed something into his possession by using her clothes as cover. After that, Ken quickly handed the clothes to the security guard with a polite nod. “Please, don’t take it the wrong way.”


    As Ken pulled her away, Allison stumbled slightly, pretending to re at him in mock indignation. “Did you just shove me?”


    Ken shot back, his tone light but firm. “What? We’re here to make money, not y around!”


    The security guards shot them wary looks. “Enough! Stop arguing! Both of you, quiet down!”


    The underground broker, who had been guiding them, bowed low, his voice dripping with respect. “Sorry about that. They’re too undisciplined, but I promise it won’t happen again.” The guards remained skeptical.


    “We’ll check first,” one of them said, her tone no-nonsense. The female guard thoroughly searched the uniform before handing it back to Allison.


    “It’s fine,” she muttered.


    Then she ran an advanced scanner over Allison’s body, confirming that there were no hidden signals beneath her skin. “All clear,” she said, her voice losing its edge as she nodded to the others.


    The tension in the room eased.


    As they walked side by side, Allison felt Ken’s fingers brush against hers. It was brief, but enough to let the hidden devices slip back into her possession, unnoticed.


    When they reached the entrance to the research institute, Allison nced up, taking in the towering structure. The building stretched eight floors high — five above ground and three below.


    Once inside, the underground broker took the money and left them with the security guards, who began to assign tasks. “You,e here,” a female guard ordered, calling Allison over. ”


    “Okay,” Allison responded, a nervous knot forming in her stomach. Had they noticed something? Was their cover blown?


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