Chapter 2015 - Another White Badge

The next morning, Chloe reached her work building at 8:41 AM.

She swiped her white employee badge, pushed the button, and the elevator took her to the top floor.

At that time, at the Cliffside villa…

Aiden frowned when he saw on his screen a notification that the white card was used. It was not so much about the fact that the card was used, but there was a name 'Chloe Long' as part of that notification, and that was unexpected.

There are not many white cards, and he knows exactly who has them: Sarah, Aiden, Jeff, JoAnna, Sophia, Felix, Noah, Aaron, and… that's it.

White cards give full access to Blanc in form of accessing information stored on computers or entry into the restricted areas. That is the card Aiden used when he opened displays in the Blanc retail store in Fairfield.

Aiden typed swiftly and found out that Sarah is the one who authorized this card and he wanted some answers. Why would a person like Chloe Long have one of their precious cards?

Aiden went to the bedroom and saw that Sarah just finished with shower.

They usually do their morning routine together, but this morning he had an early conference call with Ryder and Mason from the White foundation, so Aiden got up first.

Sarah and Aiden are planning to get Vasily to the Cliffside Villa, and Sarah wants to do it in person. That is why they moved any important things early in the morning so that in the afternoon they are free for Vasily-related tasks.

Imani and Jamari double-checked the equipment on the previous day and Gennie got the room cleaned and everything is ready for Vasily to join them at the Cliffside Villa. Sarah hopes that Vasily will wake up soon and that his memory will not be damaged so that he can resume his life, and she can apologize and hopefully make up for some of the things she did. 

"How come Chloe Long has a white card?", Aiden asked Sarah when she emerged from the bathroom.

"Yeah. I authorized it."

"Why?" Aiden wanted an explanation. Everyone else who has that card is either close family or is at the top of the Army of Chaos. Why would Chloe get it? There was no need.

"Noah wanted to give it to her."

Aiden had so many questions. "Does Chloe know about the Army of Chaos?"

"No."

"Does she know what all that card opens?", Aiden asked stiffly.

"I don't think so."

Aiden frowned. The more answers he got, the less things made sense. "So why did you authorize it?"

"I think that Noah is in love.", Sarah said dreamily.

Aiden's lips twitched. It's not that Aiden does not like the idea of Noah finding a love interest, but why is that related to giving white badges away? There is a reason only a handful of them exist!

"Let me see if I understand this. Noah might be in love and that is why you allowed him to give keys to everything we have to some random woman?"

Sarah was not sure why Aiden was so upset. "It's not random. It's Chloe. Did you hear me say that Noah fancies a girl?"

"You mean… besides you?", Aiden had to remind her.

"You know that Noah is not like that, not anymore. Actually, he never fancied me, it was some strange fantasy he had but it was not romantic. This is real. Relationship. Romance. We should support him."

"By giving some girl access to everything we have?" The disapproval in Aiden's voice was obvious.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Chloe does not know anything about that card, she is using it only for work. And besides, every time her card is used, Eve will let us know. Ah, Noah is wooing a woman! You know that yesterday he spent the whole day with her at work?"

"What is the point of her having that badge if we will be watching over her?", Aiden asked. "And if Noah was wooing her the whole day, who handled tasks related to the army?"

"His deputies. Noah is finally learning to delegate work and have a private life. Isn't this exciting?"

"Yeah. Exciting.", Aiden said dryly. He didn't share Sarah's enthusiasm. 

Sarah got an idea. "How about we surprise them for lunch?"

"What?"

"Aren't you curious? I know I am. We can spend some time with them and you can see for yourself that she is a good girl.", Sarah said cheerfully. Without waiting for Aiden to respond, she already made plans: "We can go a bit earlier and have lunch with them…"

…

Later that morning…

When Noah arrived at work, Chloe was already in the office, immersed in documents with a cup of coffee in front of her.

Noah noticed that Chloe was keeping her distance. She buried her head in work and spoke only when he initiated it while keeping the conversation to a minimum. He wondered if he messed up something, but he couldn't think of anything.

He told himself not to be discouraged because this is only the second day, and Chloe is bound to have some questions. Well, he didn't need to wait long.

Chloe was reading an email with a frown and she hesitated before asking.

"Noah…", Chloe called and waited for Noah to look at her before she continued: "Director of HR says that he has no time to meet with me this month. How do I get him to accept seeing me without disclosing that this is about the audit?"

"That is where Lizzie and Scarlet come in. He will not refuse them.", Noah said and noticed that Chloe pressed her lips into a line. "Is there a problem? Tell me whatever it is."

"To be honest, I would rather do this myself."

Noah knew that there is more. "You said that you are honest, yet you are not. Why do I have a feeling that you are concealing things? Out with it."

Chloe squirmed under Noah's gaze. Why can't he accept what she said and move on? Why is he so observant? She felt like crying.

"I find them… intimidating.", Chloe said eventually.

Noah understood something... "You don't like them?"

"It's not about liking or not but…", Chloe puffed her cheeks, regretting that she said anything. "No, it's fine. I will ask them to schedule a meeting."

Noah stood up and walked to Chloe. He leaned on her desk and observed her keenly. "Tell me, Chloe. What is about Lizzie and Scarlet that you don't like? Did they do something? Should I fire them?"

Chloe's eyes widened and she cried internally. If those two women get fired because of what Chloe said, won't they come to hunt her? Images of people fighting at the Chaos nightclub are still vivid in Chloe's mind, and she could see Lizzie and Scarlet dragging her into that cage and beating her senseless.

"Please, don't…", Chloe pleaded.

Noah leaned all the way down, resting his elbow on Chloe's desk and his chin on his fist, while his other hand landed on the backrest of Chloe's chair, trapping her with nowhere to go. "You need to tell me what happened, Chloe. And trust me, I will know if you are lying."

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