Chapter 1391


    Eleanor stepped out of the room and made her way down the long corridor, her heels clicking against


    the polished floor. As she passed the boardroom, a thunderous voice echoed through the half-open


    door. It was Yates, and he was in a foul mood, berating the staff.


    “You pull a stunt like that again, and I swear, the folks from District B2 will be cut off from the central


    betting pool. Then we’ll see how you like making


    ends meet!”


    Eleanor paused, peering through the doorway. At that precise moment, Yates caught sight of her and


    his voice dropped to a hush, “Everyone out, now.”


    Once the room had emptied, Yates gestured to her with a softened tone, “Come in, Eleanor.”


    After a moment’s hesitation, she entered the room and sat down at his indication.


    No sooner had she settled into the chair than Yates opened a drawer and took out a jar of sour plums,


    setting it before her, “All set?”


    Just as Eleanor was about to respond, Yates leaned across her, his gaze fixing on Bernard, who was


    passing by outside, “Number 9,e on in.”


    Bernard halted, turned, and after a brief moment of surprise upon seeing Eleanor, he stepped inside.


    “Are you done with your tasks for the day?”


    N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Bernard, understanding Yates’ intention and clenching his fists behind his back, nodded without a hint


    of emotion, “Yes.”


    “Good. There’s been a hup with one of your guys from the fifth unit during a client pickup. I need you


    to take a trip to Country SuloriaAltavia and lend a hand.”


    Eleanor had harbored doubts that Yates knew about Bernard’s true identity and was using it to force a


    breakup between them.


    She hade to probe for the truth, but hearing Yates’ request dispelled her suspicions…


    If Yates truly knew Bernard’s secret, he would never let him leave Area Opaca so easily.


    Yates was a master of strategy and maniption, outying even Bernard, who only realized Yates’


    intent when he was summoned into the room.


    Bernard, now with a chance to leave, concealed any abnormal reaction, showing only deference to his


    superior, “I’m on it.”


    He turned to leave, but Eleanor called out quickly, “I’ll walk you out.”


    Without waiting for a response, she rose and walked towards the elevator, leaving the boardroom


    behind. Bernard followed, knowing she wanted to verify his ess privileges herself.


    Yates’ eyes darkened as he watched Bernard’s figure stride away. He silently cursed Bernard’s gentle


    approach to the breakup. But Yates had anticipated this, and the night Bernard was allowed to leave


    the biozone, Yates had granted him ess privileges, all for this very moment.


    For all his cunning and political savvy, Yates was unmatched in the art of maniption. Bernard,


    powerless to fight back, had no choice but to contain his emotions and focus on survival.


    Reaching the elevator, Eleanor turned to Bernard, who approached the control panel and began the


    verification process: palm, fingerprints, iris, face, full body. The process was smooth, a clear sign that


    Yates had enabled his ess in advance.


    As the elevator doors opened and Bernard stepped inside, Eleanor’s hopes were shattered. She fought


    back a rising sorrow and joined him in silence. They ascended without a word, eventually exiting into a


    residential area surrounded by lush greenery.


    Eleanor finally stopped and looked up at Bernard, who had remained silent.


    “I was still suspecting that Yates knew who you were, that he was restricting your freedom and using


    me as leverage to force a breakup.”


    Bernard knew this was hisst chance. If he admitted Yates’ knowledge, Eleanor would always hold


    onto hope. But now, he was a hundred meters away from Area Opaca, and the chip in his head hadn’t


    exploded, Bernard realized Yates had expanded his control.


    Increased range meant Yates could control him at anytime, anywhere. Even if they left Area Opaca


    together, it would be futile.


    As the countdown in his head ticked faster, Bernard reached out and gently stroked Eleanor’s hair,


    “Eleanor, I’ve told you, Yates doesn’t know about my identity. Besides, if he did… why would he ever


    set a tiger free?”


    Looking into Bernard’s sincere eyes, Eleanor’sst shred of hope vanished. Her heart ached, and her


    eyes welled up with the difort of unshed tears, “I know, but…”


    But what? Regardless of the reasons, the oue was the same – Bernard was leaving her, and there


    were no more ‘buts.