Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 29
“From what I’ve seen, the Number 7 I know wouldn’t do such a thing. Logically speaking, who blatantly carries stolen underwear in their pocket? Someone must have harbored resentment and deliberately placed it in Number 7’s pocket.”
The higher-ups don’t care about meticulous evidence, factual contexts, or the circumstances of their subordinates.
They just need a clear target for their blame and frustration.
Pointing at the leader of the 30s, I stressed my words,
“It’s because of a grudge from the incident the day before yesterday. The fact that only Number 7’s clothes were damaged appears to be a part of a petty revenge.”
Clara’s gaze turned fierce.
With Clara, snarling like a tiger before him, the 30 quickly shook his head.
“No, that’s not it. I just found it while delivering a tray…”
“Why would you find it? And how did you know it was in the pocket?”
One of Clara’s subordinates clenched his fist and pressed for answers.
“It was sticking out of her pocket, that’s how…”
The more obvious and flawed the situation, the worse it gets for the informant.
From a table, Enrique flashed a knowing smile at me.
There was something off about that guy.
Seizing the moment, Number 38 spoke up.
“I heard that the leader of the 30s instructed Number 37 to damage Number 7’s uniform. He tried to pin it on 49 and me.”
Jason, who had been involved in the initial plan and the theft of the underwear, hastily defended himself.
“I had orders from above, I couldn’t help it. But I didn’t say anything at the time; instead, Number 49 offered to take full responsibility.”
Then, with a somber and distant expression, he continued,
“…Thus, I confess out of conscience, risking future retaliation. I saw Number 30 placing the underwear in Number 7’s pocket. Number 7 is innocent.”
Ultimately, the leader, Number 30, became the sole scapegoat.
His face turned pale as he just stuttered.
Johann’s green eyes, imbued with an enigmatic allure, were fixed on me.
Why was he looking at me like that?
He didn’t seem particularly interested in context or details.
“Enough,”
Surprisingly, he let it go easily. Twirling the underwear on his finger, he added,
“I need to eat, so you handle this, number 7.”
It seemed he had expected a showdown with Clara, his mood thoroughly dampened.
As Johann left, Clara’s gray eyes blazed with fury towards 30.
“He deserves divine punishment! They should learn from those who don’t succumb to intimidation!”
Her booming command made Number 30’s shoulders twitch violently.
“I-I’m sorry, but I’ve been wronged. I really didn’t do it.”
“You lack the qualities of a leader for the 30-40s.”
Clara coldly declared this, shutting him up as he tried to protest in a meek voice.
The gaze of the other prisoners from the 30-40s on Number 30 shifted.
One of my goals had been to cast doubt on Number 30’s competence as a leader.
“We’ll need to keep an eye on this. If it doesn’t work out, I might have to give the leadership to someone more capable. Leadership quality isn’t about the number you hold.”
This sparked a light in the eyes of the 30s prisoners; it was a chance to escape the tyranny of numbers.
From now on, Number 30 would face challenges and slander, and insubordination would be inevitable.
It would slowly eat away at him, and he would eventually lose his position and everything he had enjoyed.
I chuckled to myself.
“How dare you mess with Leader Seven?”
Clara’s menacing henchmen moved threateningly towards Number 30.
Soon after, with a distant scream, he was dragged away by them.
Clara slumped back into her chair, eyeing me.
Her look was more of surprise than gratitude for clearing her name.
“I didn’t expect you to stand up for me.”
