A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel 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?

Was 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."

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.