Chapter 95

Chapter 95

She pushed open the door to the Archives Room and stepped inside, inch by inch.

The surroundings were shrouded in darkness, but for an Octopus accustomed to the murky depths of underwater environments, this level of gloom was no obstacle.

Tu Nan held her breath, her mind racing as she desperately searched for a way out.

There was only one exit and no other path. It seemed like only a matter of time before she was found.

The Head Nurse seemed to realize this as well. She wasn’t in a hurry; instead, she was savoring the process of hunting her prey.

The longer the pursuit dragged on, the more it tortured the person hiding in the shadows.

A faint smile played on the corner of her mouth, and a glint of absolute certainty flashed in her eyes.

Before long, the Head Nurse reached the bookshelf where Tu Nan had been standing moments ago. Although Tu Nan had retreated to the deepest part of the Archives Room, the Head Nurse would come over sooner or later.

The Candle Tu Nan had just blown out still sat on the shelf. Seeing it, the Head Nurse’s smile grew even more triumphant.

So what if the girl had managed one sneak attack? In the end, she would still fall right into her hands.

Beads of sweat rolled down Tu Nan’s forehead, one by one.

Seeing that the Head Nurse was about to reach the corner where she was hiding, Tu Nan lowered her head to look at the key in her palm, then hurled it with all her strength.

The sharp clatter of the key hitting the floor rang out through the silent Archives Room.

The Head Nurse’s eyes narrowed, and she immediately moved toward the source of the sound.

Tu Nan watched her movements while quietly backing toward the exit, trying to slip out before the Head Nurse found the key.

However, she had underestimated an Octopus’s eyesight. The Head Nurse found it quickly, without much effort.

She picked up the key, gave a cold snort, and said to the empty air, “You think you can get away with this? Don’t be ridiculous.”

The person who had ambushed her was clever-knew how to take advantage of an Octopus’s habits, and understood how to draw her attention away. Unfortunately, tonight she was determined to drag her out.

Otherwise, she would never be able to swallow this humiliation.

The Head Nurse began searching the Archives Room again.

Tu Nan had only just started to move and hadn’t managed to get very far. Watching the Head Nurse close in, Tu Nan could practically picture how she’d be punished once she was caught.

She hid behind a row of bookshelves. All the Head Nurse had to do was round one more row, and she would see her.

Tu Nan’s Heart slammed uncontrollably against her chest. She could almost hear each heavy beat striking her eardrums.

The Head Nurse was already walking in her direction.

It looked like she wouldn’t escape being discovered tonight.

Tu Nan started weighing which would be better for her-being found by the Head Nurse, or letting the dream shatter.

Just as the Head Nurse was about to turn past the shelf where Tu Nan was hiding, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

Tap. Tap.

In the stillness of the deep night, the sound was glaringly clear.

The Head Nurse stopped and looked out warily.

Had that person slipped out while she wasn’t paying attention?

But the footsteps outside only grew clearer.

Steady, powerful, unhurried-this didn’t sound like the one who had attacked her.

The footsteps stopped at the entrance to the Archives Room.

Tonight, the Archives Room had never been so lively.

“Who is it?” the Head Nurse asked, puzzled.

She gave up on searching this row of shelves and walked toward the door.

Tu Nan finally let out a breath.

The person outside didn’t answer. They pushed open the half-shut door to the Archives Room, and a sliver of light from the hallway spilled in.

Tu Nan stayed hidden in the darkness, listening to what happened outside.

“Dean?” she heard the Head Nurse say, her voice edged with panic.
“It’s so late. Why are you still here?” Priestley’s voice was steady, cutting through the darkness to reach her ears with crystalline clarity.

“I…”

The Head Nurse panicked slightly.

She wouldn’t have been afraid of anyone else showing up tonight, but the Dean was her direct superior, and that changed everything.

Workplace politics existed even in the Fairy Tale World.

If the Dean found out she had lost the key to the Archives Room, it would likely hurt her chances for a promotion and a raise.

Since she had already recovered the key, she figured she might as well lock the door now and trap the thief inside the Archives Room. It wouldn’t be too late to return tomorrow morning and catch the rat in a trap.

With that thought, the Head Nurse spoke calmly. “I came to the Archives Room to look up some files. I’ve finished now and was just about to leave.”

Priestley gave a noncommittal grunt, his voice indifferent. “Then you go ahead.”

“I still need to lock the door to the Archives Room,” the Head Nurse said eagerly. “Why haven’t you left yet, Dean? The hospital is busy, but you must take care of your health.”

“I also have some materials to check.” Priestley’s voice remained flat. “You go first.”

The Head Nurse: “…”

This was the literal definition of shooting oneself in the tentacle.

She had already committed to her story; if she mentioned a thief hiding in the Archives Room now, the Dean would likely be even more furious.

She hesitated for a moment.

“Why aren’t you leaving?” Priestley glanced at her, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone.

Fine. The thief must have heard her conversation with the Dean. If the girl was smart, she would stay hidden. The Archives Room was quite large, and the Dean wouldn’t expect someone to be hiding inside, so he probably wouldn’t notice her.

Once the Dean left and locked the door, she could still come back the next day to catch the rat in a trap.

“Then I’ll be on my way,” the Head Nurse said with a smile. “Dean, please remember to lock the door.”

Priestley gave an impatient response.

The Head Nurse finally left.

Tu Nan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as the Head Nurse had suspected, she planned to stay hidden and then slip out when the Dean wasn’t paying attention.

The Dean stepped into the Archives Room and patiently lit the lamps one by one. The surrounding area instantly brightened.

Tu Nan frowned. If it stayed this bright, slipping out unnoticed would be difficult.

After lighting the lamps, Priestley conveniently closed the door.

Tu Nan: “…”

What now?

With the door closed, it was virtually impossible for her to sneak out without Priestley noticing.

Whatever. She would have to play it by ear.

She decided to observe Priestley’s movements first.

Priestley showed no intention of actually looking through any records. He scanned the Archives Room, one eyebrow arching slightly as an unreadable light flickered in his eyes.

Then, without any warning, he spoke.

“Aren’t you coming out yet?”

Tu Nan’s heart skipped a beat. She had no idea when she had slipped up.

Had Priestley already discovered her?

Seeing no reaction from her, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry. Instead, he began to stroll leisurely through the Archives Room.

He wasn’t rushing to find her; instead, he seemed to be admiring the scenery. His steps were light and slow, possessing a sort of effortless composure.

“Miss Tu Nan, there’s no point in continuing to hide.” A moment later, Priestley stopped in his tracks and spoke with measured weight.

This time, Tu Nan was truly shocked.

How did Priestley know she was hiding here?