Not that Right

The weight of Merrick's manipulations bore down on Nora, the realization sinking in like a heavy stone. Under her breath, she muttered, "Telling me not to go home until I finish three years' worth of files... it's worse than kidnapping."

Merrick's ears perked up at the sound of Nora's hushed words. Curiosity piqued, he leaned in closer, his narrow gaze fixed on her. "What was that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Caught off guard, Nora's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, meeting Merrick's gaze with a forced smile. "Oh, it was nothing sir," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. She hoped to dismiss the significance of her murmured statement, not wanting to reveal her growing discontent.

Merrick's narrowed eyes lingered on Nora, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her muttered words than she let on. It was as if he had caught a glimpse of her true thoughts, a crack in the facade h