“Take a well-deserved break, Barrett. I won’t let anyone disturb you today unless there’s an emergency,” Billy spoke with kindness, devoid of the usual menace an organization leader should have.
That said, Bonnie was a leader of an organization, too. She knew Billy and his henchmen were not as easygoing as they appeared. They deliberately made her feel welcome because they wanted her to drop her guard.
Bonnie knew Billy was vigilant the moment she entered the conference room. The fact that he was sending her to the room proved her speculation.
‘If my guess is correct, the room Billy arranged for me has hidden cameras. He’ll monitor everything I do and determine if there’s anything fishy about me. Also, the test he gave me was just the first of many before I could join his organization.
Bonnie knew Billy would only let her see the chip once she passed every test he had. It seemed he was more cautious than she had thought. Even so, she had prepared for these things and would not let them affect her plans.
‘I’ll deal with everything he has to throw at me. Nothing can bring me down if I put my mind to it.’
Meanwhile, Billy watched as Bonnie left the conference room with his henchmen. Immediately after, he no longer looked friendly. Instead, he looked menacing as he asked his other henchmen, “Do you think there’s something off with Barrett?”
Although Bonnie was incredibly talented and capable, he had to ensure she was clean before using her skills. Otherwise, he would have welcomed a formidable enemy into his organization, which could threaten them.
The henchman closest to Billy was stunned. He whispered, “He looks okay to me. I think he’s clean.”
The others agreed, “We’ve been monitoring him since he started the tests. I saw nothing out of the ordinary.”
“He might’ve been a little cocky, but he had every right to be. We wouldn’t have praised him if he didn’t. Maybe he genuinely is in it for the money.”
“I think so, too. After all, we offered a 7.3 million dollar reward on the dark web to whoever can hack the chip. Anyone would jump on the opportunity.”
Billy thought their reasons were sound. Still, he reserved his judgment. “I told you guys to install hidden cameras in that room, right? Did you run tests to ensure they work?”
He had ordered his men to prepare that room for any interviewee who passed the tests, whether or not it was Barrett. Moreover, would bring her to where he hid the chip only when she passed the second test.
‘Anyone would want to recruit someone as talented as Barrett, but it’s a double-edged sword to hire someone with such capabilities at critical moments like these. It’ll be disastrous for my organization if I slip up. That’s why I must be extra careful.’
One of the henchmen responded, “We’ve tested all the cameras to ensure they’re functioning as intended, Mr. Billy.”
“Did you hide them well enough, Francesco? Do you think he might spot them?” If it were anyone else, Billy would not have bothered asking something like that.
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