?<strong>Chapter 674:</strong>


    “Allison, going into theb is too risky for you,” Ken insisted. “Let me go instead.”


    “No, it’s safer if I go. I’m more familiar with basement level one, and…” She paused. “The people there won’t stop me when they see me.”


    Everyone assumed Allison had be acquainted with the first basement’s staff, unaware that it was actually due to Verruckt. Only Ken sensed something deeper.


    He remembered what Jareth had said, and things began to add up.


    “Allison, does this so-called leader have other intentions toward you?”


    “No, I think his interest is purely to monitor me. I can tell he’s dangerous.” She tightened her grip on his hand. “Right now, all I want is to figure out how to blow him and thatb to pieces.”


    Over the next three days, Verruckt showed up at the research institute like clockwork. Each time he arrived, Allison was ordered to stay at her designated station. If she left, Jareth would send someone to haul her back.


    Initially, Allison sat stiff as a statue, but soon enough, she began to unwind, spinning in her chair, sometimes even ncing Verruckt’s way with the ease of someone who was finally over their jitters. Eventually, she waved at him, all cheerful.


    “Hello, Mr. Shaw.”


    As expected, she got no reply.


    The staff around her seemed to have grown ustomed to her odd presence, treating her like part of the background, regardless of where she stood — whether in front of the ss cabs or beside the stacks of files.


    Noting their deliberate indifference, Allison would sometimes wander up to the first basement level when Verruckt entered the control room, lingering by theb entrance as if by chance. Bit by bit, even Jareth seemed to grow used to seeing her on the surveince monitors.


    Finally, on the fourth day, Jareth approached her with what sounded like good news.


    “Mr. Shaw won’t be in today. You can stay on the first basement level. Just steer clear of the second basement — it’s reserved for critical organ experiments, so it’d be best not to get in anyone’s way.”


    Allison feigned confusion. “Am I a nuisance to the researchers?”


    Jareth suppressed a sigh. Yes, there had beenints. The researchers said Allison was too fidgety, and, on top of that, her gaze made them self-conscious during delicate procedures. They hinted that it would be easier if she stayed out of sight unless absolutely necessary.


    With a kindness meant to spare her feelings, Jareth assured her, “Of course not. It’s only that the organ specimens down there can be pretty gruesome, and I’d hate for you to be haunted by any unpleasant memories.”


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