Kirsten frowned. "But hiding it for so long means someone higher up definitely knew about this. Now that the investigation is out, I'm afraid..."
Edmond cut her off gently.
"Kirsten, don't think so little of yourself. If anything happened to you, I would be tormented.
"Don't put yourself in danger like this again. I'm glad you're hardworking, but if something like this ever happened... it would trouble me deeply."
Kirsten's heart skipped a beat.
His words were dangerously ambiguous. They sounded like concern for a valuable subordinate. And yet... also like something far more.
"Okay... I understand. I won't do it again," she replied.
Edmond nodded. "Good. Pack your things. We're heading back."
Kirsten felt her ears warm up. "Okay..."
Once he stepped away, Zack leaned over with a te
