Chapter 212
212 The Power Shift
212 The Power Shift
Alice’s expression was stone cold.
Irene said, “Alice, don’t think for a second your secrets are safe. One way or another, they’ll come out. Everything you’ve buried will rise back up.”
Alice gave a calm, almost sweet smile as she said gently,
“Mrs. Nolan, with all due respect, your judgment really isn’t what it used to be.
“It wasn’t me who took your son down–it was the justice system. The courts. The law.”
Irene choked on Alice’s words, the fury hitting her so hard she nearly blacked out.
“Alice, do you really have the nerve to act this smug in front of me?”
Alice shrugged.
“Why not? You don’t exactly have the power to stop me, do you?
“Oh, and one more thing,” she added gently.
“You may be getting up there in years, but the law still protects the elderly. You might want to watch what you say.”
Irene was so furious that she nearly had a heart attack.
It took her a good minute to catch her breath.
Deep down, she knew that if she kept arguing with Alice, she might not make it through the night.
But fine. Irene would let Alice win this round.
She’d make sure Alice’s reputation went down in flames, and ruined.
She let out a dry chuckle, turned without another word, and stormed off.
Alice, thoroughly victorious, even called after her.
“Careful on your way out, Mrs. Nolan. Should I have my assistant walk you to your car?”
Irene didn’t respond. She just picked up her pace.
Alice turned to look at Eric and then said, “Looks like she didn’t get the reaction she wanted out of you.”
She smiled and added, “So, did you put in a good word for me? ”
Eric stood at the doorway to the lounge, dressed in a sharp black suit, his expression unreadable.
From a distance, he looked like temptation in human form–clean–cut, detached, and utterly untouchable .
“What do you think?” he asked, voice low.
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Alice laughed. “Mr. Eric, I’ve never seen you this quiet. It must’ve been quite the surprise visit from your grandmother . ”
Eric was speechless,
Honestly, he hadn’t registered whatever she’d said.
The real moment was when he opened the door and saw Alice standing outside the tech department..
She was wearing something with a vintage vibe.
A fitted blouse with a mock neck and pink lace trimming, embroidered just above the waist..
A long pleated skirt flowed down to her ankles–one of those pleated skirts that had been making the rounds on social media.
He couldn’t see what shoes she had on, but it didn’t matter.
The outfit made her look taller, more elegant. And the way her eyes flickered with emotion actually made his heart a beat.
It felt like his blood was on fire, rushing through his veins.
Then, he felt a wet tickle under his
nose.
Reflexively, he raised his hand.
Blood hit the back of his hand.
He was shocked.
By then, Alice had already walked up, completely unfazed, and handed him a tissue.
“Mr. Eric, are you running a little hot these days ? ”
She reached out and lightly pressed two fingers to his wrist.
Her fingertips were cool, and the heat in his body felt like it was doused with cold water.
He actually felt a wave of heat rise inside him, like steam under his skin, surging straight into his chest.
His already unsteady heartbeat lurched.
Alice stared at him with wide, confused eyes.
Eric quickly yanked his hand back
His ears were turning red.
“Your toxin levels are flaring again. I’m seeing signs of irregular heartbeat and elevated temperature– like you’re coming down with a fever.
“How do you feel right now ? ”
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She was beyond annoyed.
She’d spent weeks purging the poison from his system, working carefully to clear it out.
It had been under control–barely any traces left. And now this?
While she spoke, she was already pulling a few needles from her sleeve and expertly pressing one into the inside of his wrist.
Eric immediately felt his heart calm.
The heat pulsing through his body subsided.
But now, there was no way to explain this.
Well, actually, there was–if he kept his mouth shut. Alice had already drawn her own conclusions. He didn’t need to say a word.
“Thanks.”
As she withdrew the needle, he asked quietly, “You always carry those around?”
Alice slid the needle into a narrow sheath on her sleeve, tucking it in with practiced ease.
It wasn’t obvious, but it was handy.
And since it was on the outside, it wouldn’t accidentally jab her.
“Well, just a few. They come in handy in emergencies.”
Once everything was put away, she tilted her head and looked at him.
His color was normal again–nothing concerning on his face.
So she decided to let the earlier episode go.
“I’ve got something to handle. Can you keep an eye on the tech team?”
Eric glanced at her backpack.
“Where are you
headed? ”
“The hospital.”
She didn’t see any point in lying.