Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 38

“Miss Olivia!” he said with a wide grin, extending both hands.

“We’ve heard about you. You’re the one working directly under

Alpha Alexander, aren’t you?”

I smiled politely. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.“”

He chuckled like he already considered me one of their own.

“We were all hoping Alpha Alexander would visit in person.”

I played along, waving one hand lightly. “He’s neck–deep in

summit prep. You know how it is.”

John laughed. “Of course, of course. We’re honored all the

same.”

He then introduced me to the heads of administration and

finance. Everyone seemed eager to make a good impression,

though a few eyes lingered on me a little too long–not with

suspicion, more like nervous curiosity. Still, I kept my tone light

and friendly as John led me on a tour of the facility. The office

was neat. The workshop was noisy and smelled of metal

shavings and sweat. The dining hall was surprisingly spacious.

I asked innocent questions here and there about operations,

staffing, and overtime pay. I occasionally took pictures, telling

them they were for Alexander’s visual records.

When lunch arrived, I chose to stand in line like everyone else and made my way to a long bench near the corner of the dining hall. I set my tray down beside three women in faded uniforms who were clearly startled at first but gradually warmed up to

me as we ate.

I asked, stabbing my steamed vegetables with my

with a braid, maybe in her early

been here ten.” She pointed

across from her.

“Ever run into any

They exchanged a look.

machine’s right at the shop entrance,”

woman. “Sometimes it glitches.”

“No cameras?” I asked.

said the one with the

leaned in a little. “I heard something odd, actually.

the factory’s haunted.“”

braid woman set her spoon

told you that?” she asked, her voice

1 shrugged. “People talk”

shorter one whispered, “There are two names

day. But no

once.”

Williams and Alan Fraco,” the third added,

looked around.

pretending to pick

bag captured everything.

to bring

looked the

was all I

had

supervisor, the personnel lead, the statistician,

medium–sized meeting room

I

said cheerfully. “There’s just

like to clear up before I submit my

Alexander.”

shifted in

to meet Jennie Williams and Alan Fraco,” I

a page in

Cha

Dead silence.

The

to the door. I watched his hand

and quietly shut

Olivia’s POV