Chapter 268:
Chapter 268: Competing for Promotion
Aiden was still processing Ophelia's surprising move when Veronica sprang into action. She handed over the inmates heading to the bathroom to Isabella, then walked straight between the two, first looking at Ophelia. "What's going on?"
"This bitch is provoking , holding that thing and repeatedly asking if I want it as a teabag after she's done using it," Ophelia said, pointing at the other inmate.
Outside the window, Aiden chuckled silently. For a blood-kin, this was a particularly grating racial joke. It was impressive that Ophelia managed to endure it.
The other inmate started with sarcastic remarks: "Wow! Truly worthy of a lofty blood-kin Princess, tattling to the teacher—"
Veronica whirled around abruptly, cutting off her words with a gaze as sharp as a knife. "Did I give you permission to speak?" she asked coldly.
The inmate imdiately shivered. Veronica held considerable sway over most inmates in the Core Area.
"No..." The inmate swallowed hard.
"When I'm asking questions, do not interfere. Next ti, you know the consequences," Veronica warned, word by word. "Now speak. What happened?"
At that mont, Aiden saw a reflection of himself in Veronica—the girl had learned well, perhaps even surpassing him in ferocity and intimidation. With Veronica present, it seed he, the Warden, wouldn't need to personally intervene.
"I was just... just kidding around, hahaha..." The inmate realized things were looking bad and forced a laugh.
"So it's true then?" Veronica remained expressionless, then looked at the other inmates nearby. "Is that correct?"
Those inmates nodded fearfully.
"You've got guts, trying to cause trouble on my watch?" Veronica turned her gaze back to the inmate who had provoked Ophelia.
"Oh, Officer, is it really that serious? It Just a joke..." The inmate tried hard to placate her.
"This is work ti. During workshop hours, you speak when permitted and stay silent otherwise. And using racial jokes for provocation? Did you not see
standing up here..." Veronica said slowly, "...or did the regulations you were made to morize leak out of your brain?"
Inmates trading insults and provocations was common in the Core Area, but provocations involving racial discrimination were suspected of inciting violence and even mass riots. Even in the general population wards, similar conflicts could easily escalate into group brawls, hence they were explicitly forbidden by regulations.
"I-I didn't..." the inmate argued stiffly.
"Stay behind for half an hour after morning work ends to clean the toilets. Go eat after you're done," Veronica delivered the punishnt. "Understood?"
"But Officer..."
"I asked if you understood," Veronica repeated.
"Un... Understood," the inmate completely deflated.
Vengeance served, a look of satisfaction spread across Ophelia's face.
"Then continue working!" Veronica commanded, then glanced towards the window. Aiden silently gave her a thumbs-up in approval. Veronica smiled faintly and returned to the front of the workshop.
After lunch, during yard ti.
Core Area inmates walked in circles around the exercise yard. Since it was a rare overcast day, Ophelia also ca out for a walk, eventually sitting down on a bench near the chain-link fence. Soon after, Aiden appeared behind her on his patrol, striking up a conversation through the fence. "Looks like you've really settled down quite a bit."
Ophelia imdiately turned her head, frowning upon seeing Aiden. "What do you want?"
"I happened to see what happened in the workshop this morning. Honestly, I was quite surprised. Is this the Ophelia I know?" Aiden chuckled playfully.
"What do you an?" Ophelia's face hardened with displeasure.
"The old you would have started a fight over less than that, never mind racial provocation. Finally starting to understand the rules. I'm very gratified," Aiden smiled.
"Screw you. I just couldn't be bothered to argue," Ophelia turned her head away.
"Your sentence is long, but there are actually many opportunities for reduction... provided you keep following the rules," Aiden said slowly. He could see a significant change in Ophelia's mindset. Although she still scowled at him, the inexplicable sense of superiority stemming from her blood-kin Princess status was gone. At least the cocky phrase "This Princess" hadn't been heard again.
"I don't need you lecturing . I know what I need to do," Ophelia said, annoyed.
"You have two visits a week. Your brother will probably co see you again in three days..."
"I don't know this person. My whole family is dead," Ophelia fud, rembering the morning's incident.
"If you don't et him, you won't even get the chance to curse him out," Aiden advised.
"Mind your own business! Go away! Every ti I talk to you, I feel unlucky!" Ophelia waved her hand dismissively.
Aiden chuckled and turned to leave, hands behind his back.
"Hey, wait!" Ophelia suddenly turned her head again, calling him back.
Aiden, about to turn away, glanced at her. "What?"
"I rember you said working as your enforcer could reduce sentence ti, right?" Ophelia asked.
"Don't make
sound like so gang boss," Aiden replied. "I select model inmates to work for . You should know that from your ti as a groundhog." Ophelia certainly rembered clearly, having been forcefully persuaded back during her escape attempt by three Red Alert inmates, and then being backstabbed by Arsena and Dailey during lusine riot.
"...Any vacancies?" Ophelia asked after a mont's silence.
"Hmm?" Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"I asked if you're recruiting!" Ophelia raised her voice slightly.
"What? You want to compete for promotion?" Aiden couldn't help but smirk. The discipline violator who could never settle down in prison was now actively seeking a position as his enforcer.
"I just don't want to stay in this dump for over 150 years! Who could stand being stuck with a bastard like you for that long?" Ophelia's face was cold. "I'm much stronger than those others. Don't be ungrateful."
"150 years... I won't live that long either," Aiden laughed helplessly. "I have conditions for selecting people; being strong isn't enough. If you want to work for
to reduce your sentence, at least beco a model inmate first."
"So troubleso..." Ophelia turned her face away.
"Everything must follow the rules. This is a prison," Aiden turned away. "I'll note down your application for now. Behave yourself from now on."
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