Chapter 122

"Turns out I'd learned it before," Allison said, dismissing the compliment with a hint of nonchalance. "Plus, it's part of the job description."

He chuckled, gently changing the subject. "I have no intention of watching the company fall apart as soon as I walk in the door." Then, he turned the tables with a compliment to Kellan.

"Mr. Lloyd, your company's security system is top-notch. Even if I weren't here, someone would have noticed sooner or later. What I did was nothing more than a drop in the ocean."

Kellan sensed her evasiveness but decided not to interfere. If she wanted to keep her thoughts to herself, he wouldn't force the issue.

"I appreciate your efforts, Miss Clarke," he said. "I'm well aware of what our rivals are capable of this time."

Kellan's expression changed as he pondered something, his eyes narrowing. He asked, "Miss Clarke, did you encounter any problems on your first day? Did someone give you a hard time?"

Tension filled the room. Those present, including Marc, held their breath, nervously eyeing the surveillance camera. Their earlier argument had been recorded, leaving them no room to deny it. As they struggled to come up with an excuse, Allison nonchalantly replied, "No. Everyone here knows not to upset their boss. They wouldn't want me to complicate their lives, right?"

His carefree tone contrasted sharply with the icy gleam in his eyes. The group exhaled silently, relieved, their gazes dropping to the floor, too apprehensive to meet his gaze.

Kellan waved them off. "Very good. I have invited you several times to join our team. If someone crosses the line, I won't let it go." He smiled, but his words sounded like a sharp warning. "As of now, Miss Clarke is the head of this laboratory. She has the final say on any personnel changes without needing my approval."

Essentially, Allison had the power to hire or fire at her discretion. The others flinched at the implication.

"Got it!" they whispered in unison.

Allison reflected that if she couldn't handle this minor matter without Kellan's intervention, her authority would be called into question. Fortunately, Kellan understood the unspoken dynamics of the workplace and was confident in her abilities.

"Ms. Clarke, feel free to use the laboratory as you see fit."

"Thank you, Mr. Lloyd."

After exchanging a few more light-hearted words, Kellan left. The moment he was gone, Allison's expression hardened, and her voice turned cold. "Everyone to your posts. This is the first time you have left your posts without permission. If it happens again, I will deal with it according to the rules, and I will not be soft on anyone."

Regardless of her intentions, the team hurried back to their tasks, wary of provoking her again. He was now their leader, and his decisions could change their future.

Shortly after, a young woman in a plaid shirt with bangs entered Allison's office silently, her head bowed. Allison leaned forward. "What's on your mind?"

"I just wanted to say sorry," Aimee Williams murmured, her eyes brimming with regret.

"Sorry you didn't say a word before?" Allison replied, noting Aimee's silence during the previous confrontation.

Aimee shook her head, lowering her voice further. "Women have it difficult in this field. I stayed silent, believing their gossip and doubting you. I should have defended you. By not saying anything, I became an unwitting accomplice. I can't find peace without apologizing."

Allison remained calm. "What good would it have been? Those people are seasoned professionals at stirring the pot. They will always outshine you with their words. Even if you had defended me, they wouldn't have believed you and would have even started throwing mud at you. Self-preservation is instinctive; you don't have to feel guilty about it."

Aimee's shoulders slumped further in shame. After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke. "Miss Clarke, there is unrest in the laboratory. There are cliques that argue over research results or sabotage each other's work. Their methods are shady. You have to tread carefully." Aimee had lost an important client to these tactics upon her arrival and was increasingly discouraged as she spoke.

Allison nodded and gave Aimee a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I thank you for the notice. Now, get back to work."

Aimee left in silence, clutching her files. Allison looked out the window and saw dark clouds gathering on the horizon. It seemed like a storm was coming.