?<strong>Chapter 881:</strong>


    “I’m just changing clothes,” Allison responded casually, lifting the outfit in her hand as proof.


    “There’s less than an hour before we’re off the clock, and I’ve got dinner ns with Verruckt tonight. Thought I’d try on my date outfit. Is that against the rules?” She said it all with a sly smile, fully aware that Lena had a soft spot for Verruckt. Each word was chosen to hit a nerve.


    Lena’s reaction came as no surprise. She stormed out, her face red with anger.


    “What’s so special about her anyway?” she muttered under her breath as she left.


    A couple of minutester, Allison lifted the blinds again without a care in the world.


    The researchers outside exchanged nces, whispering among themselves.


    “Do you think Alice knows Lena has a thing for Mr. Shaw?” one asked, keeping their voice low.


    “She knows,” another replied. “Let’s stay out of it.”


    “Smart thinking, especially since Lena’s got a short fuse,” someone muttered.


    Ten minutester, Allison pulled the blinds down again. By this point, no one paid much attention — it had be routine.


    Lena, on the other hand, tried to convince herself to stay out of it.


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    Alice was obviously messing with her, and she knew it. Still, Lena couldn’t resist. She flung the door open yet again.


    “What exactly are you trying to—” she started, but Allison cut her off without missing a beat.


    “I just want to take a nap, Miss Perkins. Could you stop barging in already?”


    Her tone was deliberately loud, ensuring that the researchers outside could hear every word.


    Lena froze, suddenly at a loss for words.


    She knew all too well that Alice would hide behind Verruckt again, and she’d only end up more frustrated.


    “Fine! Sleep all you want until Mr. Shaw gets here!” Lena snapped.


    Without another word, she stormed out, drained from Allison’s constant antics.


    The door mmed shut behind her with a loud “bang,” and Allison’s expression hardened.


    This time, she didn’t bother raising the blinds. Instead, she tapped her earpiece and spoke to Ken.


    “Is everything in ce?” she asked.


    “Everything’s ready,” Ken replied quickly. “We’ve made it into theb’s courtyard, but there’s heavy patrol near the exits. We can’t stay still; we need to keep moving.”


    Allison gave a curt nod, even though Ken couldn’t see her.


    “Timing our escape is critical,” she said firmly.


    She moved back to the blinds, opening them just enough to peek through.


    It didn’t take long for Allison to notice Lena sitting back at her desk, her face sour and her eyes deliberately avoiding the office door.


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