NovelEnglishChapter 872
In an instant, the tension in the air felt almost unbearable, slicing through the hallway like a blade.
The two kids were wound so tight, it was as if they shared a single heartbeat. Instinctively, they wanted to dart
back into the safety of the stairwell.
But the stairwell was right next to the elevator-if they made a break for it now, they'd run straight into the
people coming their way.
As the sound of footsteps grew louder, Manley's heart pounded so hard, he thought it might leap right out of his
chest.
"What do we do? If someone catches us here, we're finished, aren't we? Back when Dad was still around, this
floor was totally off-limits!"
In his panic, Hayes's eyes landed on the giant potted plant outside Marguerite's office. Behind it, he spotted a
huge trash bin—probably full of leftover construction debris from the recent renovations.
He pointed. "In there. Hide."
Manley looked like he might burst into tears. "Why am | always the victim of your crazy schemes? What did | do
to deserve this?"
"Save it! Just get in-hurry!"
Eyes brimming with tears, Manley glanced desperately around. There was nowhere else to hide. With no other
choice, he clenched his jaw, squeezed his eyes shut, and scrambled into the trash bin on his short, trembling
legs.
Barely a second after the lid closed, a woman rounded the corner, phone pressed to her ear.
"Mr. Winston, Marguerite knows you arranged an office for her... She didn't really react... Okay, I'll try to bring her
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtover for a tour soon... Don't worry, we won't go into your office..."
Janie had already reached the executive suite. She swiped her access card and entered the code, the soft beep
echoing down the hall.
Behind the potted plant, the trash bin lid cracked open just a sliver.
Hayes memorized Janie's movements. He watched as she entered the office and cout again, this time
holding a file folder.
Moments later, Manley heard a door close, followed by the ding of the elevator doors sliding shut.
Inside the cramped, stifling trash bin, the two kids were awkwardly piled on top of each other.
Manley was squashed at the bottom, his face pressed against the side of the bin, completely flattened. Hayes
crouched unsteadily on Manley's shoulders.
Manley, barely able to breathe, ground out a sentence between clenched teeth: “Hayes, are you done yet? I'm
dying in here. Seriously. Dying."
After making sure the coast was clear, Hayes hopped out of the bin, pulling Manley out behind him.
"Con! | saw the code just now. Let's split up-I'll search for the stuff, you stand guard at the door and keep an
eye out!"
Without waiting for a reply, Hayes unlocked the office and darted inside.
Manley slumped against the door, utterly defeated. "What could possibly be in Maurice's office anyway? This is
just a normal workspace-looks exactly like Dad's old office."
There was no way it was just a regular office.
Janie had clearly been calling Maurice, and he'd specifically said not to let Mom in here.
If there were no secrets, why keep Mom out?
Hayes made straight for the computer, powered it on, and started hunting for files.
But the computer was squeaky clean-not a single extra folder anywhere.
How was that possible?
Maurice had given Silas that wafer contract-he must have typed it up on this computer.
So why was there no trace of it?
Could he have hidden it somewhere else?
Behind the desk stood a towering bookshelf, stretching from floor to ceiling-an impressive wall of books.
Maybe the contract was stashed in there?
Hayes called Manley over, and the two of them started searching the shelves together.
They were poking around when, suddenly,
both
the bookshelf slid opem et
, revealing a safet
most
as tall as Hayes himself.
Their eyes lit up-they rushed over.
"Whoa, look at the size of this thing
Malened. "How much c
do
you think he's got in there?"
belongs to wh
"Maurice is loaded. He'd need ten safes for all his money. There's no way this is for cash."
"But... it needs a code!"
Manley sounded like he might cry.
What was it with them and passwords today?
He flopped onto the couch in defeat, while Hayes stubbornly kept trying combinations.
No matter how many codes they tried, nothing worked.
er
Manley eventually gave up and sprawled on the sofa, half-asleep Suddenly, a soft click echoed through the room.
Hayes's voice was distant, almost dazed
"It opened."
Manley bolted upright, stunned. "Hayes, how did you do it? Was it just dumb
luck?"
Hayes's face was shadowed. "No. The code was 0125."
"01257?" Manley repeated, baffled.
"January 25th," Hayes said quietly. "It's Dad's memorial day."
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