Lin Gong sat expressionless in her office, just as she had after every mission she had completed over the years.
Yet beneath the surface, her emotions churned.
Not long before, Lin Gong had hidden herself in the most secluded restroom in the Federation building, the least frequented spot in the entire building. She had only dared enter after making sure no one was nearby.
Lin Gong had placed an "Under maintenance" sign at the restroom entrance, then used the door to block the gap by the last stall, leaving only a narrow opening she could barely squeeze through.
Once inside the stall, Lin Gong had cautiously dialed the secret phone number known to very few people. She kept listening for every footstep outside, terrified that someone might suddenly push the door open and catch her calling Jonas.
She spoke cautiously, afraid of giving herself away in the slightest, constantly listening for footsteps nearby.
Then the call connected, and Jonas said, "You've made the right choice, Miss Lin Gong."
"I can provide the information you need." Lin Gong took a deep breath and found her voice unexpectedly calm. "But I expect reasonable compensation."
Though she kept telling herself she was not betraying Dorothy, she knew that going after Noel was no different from betraying Dorothy.
She still clung to a tiny hope that things had not deteriorated beyond repair.
Perhaps, as long as she acted carefully, Dorothy would never discover the truth.
She would make everything look seamless, pretending she remained utterly loyal.
Yet that thought was like a dying person clutching at a final straw. Lin Gong knew full well that once she chose betrayal, there would be no turning back. She knew better than anyone how much this would hurt Dorothy.
But Dorothy could have kept her from becoming