Free Web NovelChapter 39: Chapter 39 You are Really Capable_1
The next day, Veronica arrived at Rose Iron Prison for work as usual.
After clocking in, she went straight to the changing room, put her personal belongings in the locker, and then started to undress to change into her uniform.
The young female prison guard changing clothes at the next locker glanced at her and suddenly widened her eyes, "Yo! Miss Wolfie? Your locker is right next to mine."
"Ah, yes, it is." Veronica was caught off guard by the sudden conversation and took a moment to respond.
She looked at the colleague beside her, feeling she looked somewhat familiar, but couldn’t recall where she knew her from.
It was only her first day at the prison yesterday, and she had been following Aiden around all day. She did meet a few guards from the core area meanwhile, but she wasn’t sure if she had seen this person somewhere.
Seeing that the other person clearly knew her, it would be quite embarrassing if Isabella had introduced herself and Veronica couldn’t remember.
Luckily, the female prison guard quickly sensed her discomfort and said with a smile, "You probably don’t remember me, do you? My name is Isabella. I’m on the surveillance post in the core area. I was the one who led the inmates during their outdoor time and showers. That day you got into a fight in the bathroom, it was me who called for you to be restrained."
"Oh, hello senior," Veronica greeted politely and shook hands with her.
"No, no, just call me by my name! I’ve only been here for three months myself. Unlike me, with your rank being transferred over, you’ll definitely have a higher position once you’re assigned a post," Isabella nudged her with her elbow, "I might have to ask for your protection later on."
"Ah haha, that’s... kind of you," Veronica smiled and nodded, not particularly adept at social interactions.
However, she wasn’t averse to her colleague’s warm greeting. Considering that the guards in the core area dealt with various dangerous inmates every day, they probably wouldn’t be too wary of her being a werewolf.
"I saw you were with the warden all day yesterday."
"Yes, he was giving me the newcomer training."
"That happened to me too," Isabella nodded, "Luckily, I had such a big shot covering for me. To be honest, when I passed the exam and was assigned to Rose Iron Prison, I was completely desperate. Everyone said this prison was too chaotic. In the past, there have even been wardens killed by rioting inmates. But once I got here, I found it surprisingly easy-going and the cafeteria food is delicious, too."
"Yes, I feel the same way," Veronica replied courteously.
At that moment, they heard a discordant voice behind them, "Of course you would find it easy now, you have no idea how troublesome it was when the reform just started."
The two turned their heads and saw a woman in her thirties with short hair standing behind them. As she watched them sidelong, putting on her uniform, she remarked, "It’s all just the zeal of a new officer aiming to make a mark, not caring whether the people below him can adapt or not. You young girls probably think he’s alright, though."
Isabella didn’t speak—she was somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden intrusion, but since the person was a much more senior prison guard, it wouldn’t be wise to offend her.
However, Veronica had no intention of pandering to the older guard. After staring at the older prison guard for a while, she shot back, "At least he’s actually achieved something. If you think you can do better than him, why don’t you get promoted?"
Isabella was left open-mouthed by Veronica’s direct confrontation.
The older prison guard frowned slightly, "You, the newcomer, don’t know the rules?"
"What, you’re going to teach me?" Veronica glared right back, her natural fierce look made her quite imposing as she glared.
After a few seconds of staring down, the older guard looked like she couldn’t stand it anymore, but she didn’t want to lose face and turned away with a scoff.
At this point, someone peaked out from the other side of the lockers—it was the core area’s supervisor, Flandre. She had been changing at a locker on the other side and had overheard the commotion.
"What are you guys doing making such a racket early in the morning? Get to work!" she shouted over, then glanced at the veteran correctional officer, "Megan, it’s almost time to start work. Aren’t you going to open the workshop door?"
In terms of rank, Flandre held a position above everyone present; even the correctional officer named Megan did not dare to challenge her. She fastened the buttons of her uniform and left the changing room without saying a word.
Isabella looked at Veronica and, without speaking, gave her a thumbs up. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"What for?" Veronica was confused.
"When I give this signal, it means you’re really something!" Isabella said earnestly, "Not bad at all, for a woman who even talked back to the warden!"
"I just got a bit angry when she started picking a fight out of nowhere..." Veronica blushed a little, feeling embarrassed by her reaction.
"Don’t mind it. Megan wasn’t targeting you guys; she’s had issues with the warden for a long time," Flandre joined the conversation, walking over to them.
"Block supervisor," Isabella and Veronica saluted her simultaneously.
"Block supervisor, why does she have issues with the warden?" Veronica asked directly.
"Megan is not bad at her job, but she’s a bit greedy. She used to oversee a general block when the prison management was more chaotic, and her position allowed for more perks. While managing the workshop, she let inmates work overtime and then sold workshop materials on the side. When overseeing the cells, she suggested that inmates could bribe their way to solving problems," Flandre said slowly, "Now, with the new warden demanding transparency in workshop earnings and having transferred her to the core area, she can’t skim off the top; naturally, she resents the warden."
"Why keep someone like that around?" Veronica frowned.
"Can’t help it, the prison is understaffed," Flandre shrugged, "Besides, it’s not easy to fire someone in a unit, and she’s an old slick one at that. How easy do you think it is to catch her red-handed?"
Veronica didn’t say anything in response; workplace issues exist everywhere, and compared to the mounted police, the atmosphere here was already much better.
She changed into her uniform and returned to Aiden’s office, ready to begin her training.
"...Did you read the materials I gave you yesterday?" asked Aiden when he saw her.
"I’ve read through all of them. You can test me whenever you’re ready," Veronica said confidently.
"Oh, you’re very motivated, hm. I thought it would take you two or three days." Aiden nodded approvingly. "Then take a look at these when you’re free."
"Inmate profiles...and a contraband list?" Veronica glanced over the materials she was handed.
"Yes, while those are not as important as what I gave you yesterday, they still need to be memorized."
"Huh?" Veronica suddenly noticed something that caught her attention, "Playing cards are contraband?"
"Indeed, they were allowed before, but then inmates started gambling with them in secret, and it got out of hand, so we banned them," Aiden nodded, "Now, inmates are only allowed to play in the recreation room under the supervision of correctional officers."
"But..." Veronica hesitated for a moment.
"Oh?" Aiden sensed something and squinted at her.
"Ah." Veronica realized she had inadvertently revealed something.
"Very well, it seems it’s time to organize a surprise search," Aiden revealed a sly smile.
