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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 that commanded attention.
“The time has come for me to hang up my hat. The role of 1-1 will now be filled by the lady beside me.
Her call sign is Blue Jay, and she’s my handpicked
successor.”
Bernard’s eyes widened in disbelief. Eleanor… taking over Yates’ position as 1-1?
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWas she now his adversary? His fingers tensed involuntarily on his lap.
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 of compliance but out of calculation, deliberately
entangling Eleanor in the opaque world of Area Opaca.
With her becoming the leader of Area Opaca, she would also become a prime target for vengeance
from the Siren Organization.
Yates was using his own granddaughter as a shield and a pawn, heartlessly manipulating 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 become 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 particular 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 Thailand.
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 young lady 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
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhimself so openly.
By removing his mask, Yates signified that Bernard knew the identity of the man behind Area Opaça,
ensuring Eleanor wouldn’t repeat the information to herself.
Yates had not unmasked because he feared his identity would be exposed; rather, he had calculated
Bernard’s deduction and pre-emptively cut off any backtracking.
Worthy of his reputation as the titan of North Funland 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?”
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.”
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