Chapter 1384


    As she settled into her seat, Eleanor finally lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across each operator in


    the control room. The lighting was brilliant, so piercing that it cut through the crowd to reveal a man


    who stood out like a beacon, his presence cool and detached.


    Even masked, they found each other’s eyes across the sea of faces, as if drawn by an invisible thread.


    In that moment of connection, the rest of the world faded away.


    Eleanor, unsure of what emotions might lie behind Bernard’s mask, felt a wave of relief to see him


    unharmed.


    Bernard had been watching Eleanor intently, and he felt a surge of emotion at the sight of her alive; his


    eyes reddened and the tightness in his chest began to ease. To him, her very existence was the world’s


    greatest gift. As long as she lived, he could endure anything.


    Once everyone was present, Yates spoke with a voice thatmanded attention.


    “The time hase for me to hang up my hat. The role of 1-1 will now be filled by thedy beside me.


    Her call sign is Blue Jay, and she’s my handpicked


    sessor.”


    Bernard’s eyes widened in disbelief. Eleanor… taking over Yates’ position as 1-1?


    Was she now his adversary? His fingers tensed involuntarily on hisp.


    Surely, Eleanor had insisted on this arrangement to see him, against Yates’ wishes. Otherwise, Yates


    would never have agreed.


    And if Yates had indeed agreed, it wasn’t out ofpliance but out of calction, deliberately


    entangling Eleanor in the opaque world of Area Opaca.


    With her bing the leader of Area Opaca, she would also be a prime target for vengeance


    from the Siren Organization.


    Yates was using his own granddaughter as a shield and a pawn, heartlessly manipting her to thwart


    Bernard’s potential moves after leaving Area Opaca.


    Noticing Bernard’s reaction, Yates’ lips curved into a smug, victorious smile before announcing the next


    order of business:


    “Kermit has passed on, leaving his position vacant. The operator from District A1, call sign 1-3, will step


    up to be the new 1-2 and take charge of Area Opaca…


    1-4 will move up to 1-3, and the rest of the team will remain as they are.”


    i


    Eleanor remembered the trouble the elusive 1-4 had caused Robin. As she wove her way through the


    crowd, her eyes scanning the numbers on everyone’s clothes, she searched for that particr tag. But


    not seeing 1-4 among them left her slightly puzzled.


    Her confusion was understandable; Yates had intentionally excluded Sheldon from the meeting to


    prevent him from encountering Eleanor., Thus, Sheldon was still far away in Thand.


    The other operators had expected Peterson to be the new 1-1, but the position had surprisingly gone to


    a woman they’d never seen before.


    While there were many formidable women among the operators, the youngdy beside Yates seemed


    too inexperienced for such a high-stakes role. Dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd, yet following


    the incident with Kermit Hyde, no one dared to openly challenge Yates.


    Peterson’s promotion brought him no joy; a higher rank meant being tethered to Area Opaca


    indefinitely.


    Yates, likely wary of what Peterson might reveal to Eleanor, had used the promotion to keep him


    confined…


    Efficient as ever, Yates concluded the meeting, dismissing everyone but operator 2-9.


    Once alone, Yates boldly removed his mask.


    Bernard, having anticipated the man beneath it, felt no surprise, but he hadn’t expected Yates to reveal


    himself so openly.


    By removing his mask, Yates signified that Bernard knew the identity of the man behind Area Opa?a,


    ensuring Eleanor wouldn’t repeat the information to herself.


    Yates had not unmasked because he feared his identity would be exposed; rather, he had calcted


    Bernard’s deduction and pre-emptively cut off any backtracking.


    Worthy of his reputation as the titan of North Fund and the founder of Area Opaca, even Bernard


    had to admire his resolve.


    With his mask off, Yates turned to Bernard with a smile, “Surprised it’s me?”


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    His smile reeked of insincerity, and Bernard felt a wave of revulsion, not even wanting to engage with


    him.


    Bernard remained silent, but Yates was unbothered, continuing with his gentle smile.


    “Quite a few operators have seen my face, especially my loyalists. Showing my face to them is


    inconsequential. But for the newer operators, like you, Mr. Laurence, I’ve remained a mystery, never,


    revealing myself in your presence.”


    These words were meant for Eleanor, letting her know that Bernard had never met the founder of Area


    Opaca and had no prior dealings with him, thus dispelling any suspicions she might have had.


    Mr. Laurence, Yates said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, “the woman beside me, your


    pregnant wife, is also my granddaughter. As for how we’ll acknowledge our kinship, that’s a


    conversation for you two to have. I’ll leave your be.”