Chapter 581:

Alicia was surprised by Yolanda's demeanor; the usual fragility was gone. The pieces clicked into place. "You've been faking your illness," Alicia accused.

Yolanda sneered. Her illness wasn't a lie, merely a tactic—she'd simply stopped taking her medication. Weakness was her best weapon for keeping Dorian's indulgence. She wouldn't share this with Alicia, instead warning, "Enjoy your success, Alicia. The higher you climb, the harder you'll fall. I'll be waiting for your downfall."

Alicia remained impassive, returning to the tech room. A sly grin touched her lips as a plan formed. Leaving the room, she noticed Yolanda nearby. Exercising caution, Alicia headed for the restroom, but Yolanda, suspecting something, followed.

Inside, Yolanda overheard Alicia's hushed phone call: "Can you help me remotely? This is far more complicated than I thought. I assumed Corey wanted audio, but this chip has major issues. I've been here for hours with little progress. If Corey finds out, he'll never let me go." A pause, then a sigh. "What? You can't help either? I can't ask Yolanda for assistance."

Outside, Yolanda chuckled triumphantly, her grin widening. She'd correctly assessed Alicia's inexperience; a novice couldn't handle such a complex chip. When Alicia emerged, she glimpsed Yolanda disappearing around the corner. Alicia smiled, calmly washing her hands.

It took over three hours. Leaving the tech room, she asked Corey, "Have you released Blake?"

"Of course," he replied. "The undercover captain with you already took him."