Tobey had been touted by everyone in Hotmesh to be the next director thanks to the publication of the academic papers, and he would be promoted once the director retired.
If Stephen spoke with the director, however, Tobey’s career would be over instead.
“Look, I’m sorry about this, Stephen-“
“Do you really think an apology cuts it now?!” James snapped.
After learning the whole story, he only felt anger and disappointment toward his fellow Zidonians.
All they cared about was prestige and profit, and they were so shortsighted they never wondered about potential repercussions.
He certainly felt bad for Abigail for going through such great lengths to steal the research data, hoping that she can help Zidonian’s medical scene develop, only for one man’s selfishness to ruin it all.
Tobey Kitsch deserved nothing!
But even James had to wait for Diarmuid’s approval to destroy him!
“Mr. Althoff.” Tobey quickly tried to salvage the situation. “I understand that I’ve made a mistake. I’ll definitely make it up to you-“
“Make it up to him?” Stephen cut him short right then. “How?! We’re facing a crisis because of you! Do you think a few nice words will get you off the hook?!”
His rage was as terrible as Diarmuid’s, and he was certainly convinced that Diarmuid would not be merciful to a man as short-sighted and as greedy as Tobey. If he ever became director, Hotmesh Research would fall apart under his leadership!
While Diarmuid had no time to keep listening to their argument, Stephen was right about one thing-he was not going to let Tobey become director.
“James, set up a meeting with Hotmesh’s director,” Diarmuid said and strode out of the room.
He then paused at the doorway, turned around, and looked between Stephen and Tobey. Stephen promptly made his standpoint clear, saying,’ I’m culpable for this mess too, but I’ll willingly take any punishment coming.
He actually felt guilty toward Abigail for putting her in harm’s way.
If Diarmuid wanted his head, it was his just deserts.He could not help shooting Tobey a glare just then, knowing that it was all because of him.
Stephen’s attitude was the right one, and since he did not mean it, Diarmuid forgave him despite his dissatisfaction.
Tobey, however, was still trying to weasel his way out of trouble. “I can make up for this some other way! Please-“
“You?” Diarmuid scoffed. “Make up for this?”
Tobey panicked. “Look, I know I made a mistake, but please just look over this one time-“
Diarmuid’s lips curled into a cold, dark grin. “If I spared you, I’d be doing a disservice to every other person who has what it takes to become director, and the research data Abigail risked herself to bring here, don’t you think?”
Tobey was still trying to speak up, but Stephen could not bear to listen to another word.
He stepped up, clasping a hand over Tobey’s mouth. “Just shut up, hypocrite-stop wasting Diarmuid’s time. Know this-you’re never going to become a director for the rest of your life. Even if Diarmuid won’t talk to your director, I’ll make your scandal known to the whole world.”
Tobey was frustrated as he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
However, since there was no way out of this, he simply aimed his crosshairs at Stephen and shot back, “Did you think you’re any better than me? Are you sure you didn’t want some goodies from that research data?”
“Unlike you, I understand how important the research data is for our own medical field’s advancement. I was hoping it could have been used to its full potential, only for you to ruin everything. I hate myself for being a poor judge of character!”
As both men kept arguing and even looked ready to get physical, Diarmuid decided that he neither had the time nor the mood to listen.
James received a call just then-their trackers had just finished their search.
“We don’t have any details indicating that they left the country, sir.”
“I see.” James hung up and turned to Diarmuid. “No news about them leaving the country. Maybe they are still in the country.”
Diarmuid was not as optimistic.
If anything, the first thing they would have done would be to leave Zidonian borders. The lack of records proved nothing too-they could have left by some unorthodox mode of travel.
Still, unable to stay and wait in Zidonia, he said, “Keep an eye on things in the country. I’m going to Minerva.”
“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements for you,” James replied.
Diarmuid then remembered something else, and he told James, “Don’t tell Sheryl Harris about any of this. Just say that Abigail and I went abroad for business, and it will take US a while to return.”
“I know what to do,” James said.
“Good,” Diarmuid replied flatly.
Ember Lindt was home when Zachary Slate returned, dressed in a skimpy nightdress and smiling when she saw him.
“Welcome home,” she greeted him as she poured him a glass of water. ’ You look terrible. Trouble at work?”
Zachary was staring closely at her. She looked so docile and understanding.
Did she really hurt Lulu?
“You told someone to put up those banners during our wedding, didn’t you?”
Ember’s heart skipped a beat-why would he suddenly ask about that?
“W-What are you saying? I don’t understand.”
She played dumb-not that she would admit to any of it anyway.
Zachary grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop the glass in panic.
Clang!
The glass shattered into smithereens while water splashed, flowing all the way to their feet.
Still, Ember pretended to look afraid. “What’s gotten into you, Zachary? You’re making me scared…”
“Tell me-where did you hide Lulu?” Zachary’s eyes were ablaze.
“I don’t understand. Why would I know where Lulu is?” she cried, starting to panic a little just then.
Why would Zachary know to ask him about Lulu?
Did he realize something?
The thought left Ember paling, but she kept appealing to his sympathetic side. “You know me, Zachary. I’d never do something like that… I don’t know where Lulu is, and I don’t blame her for the child we lost because of her… Like, she didn’t mean to, right?”
So, she was trying to keep playing dumb?
Seeing that, Zachary turned to see her phone, which she left on the dressing table and strode over to it.
The screen still showed her inbox and the messages sent from James’s phone.
His eyes red as he glared straight at Ember. “How do you explain this?”
Ember could kick herself right then. Why did she forget to delete the text?
It was now fuel for Zachary to suspect her!
‘They were trying to blackmail me, I was just playing along so that we can arrest them-“
“And they had to blackmail you?” Zachary’s grip over her wrist became even more forceful. “You knew you did something wrong. That’s why they have leverage against you and could blackmail you-“
“Nol” Ember kept arguing. “I didn’t do anything wrong! I really wanted to arrest them, not because I was guilty and would give them money-“
Zachary frowned. “Stop trying to weasel your way out of this!”
“I’m not!” Ember had to keep denying, or Zachary would hate her and they would be unable to hide what happened to Lulu.
“I swear, I never did anything wrong, and I was really trying to get my blackmailer arrested,” she persisted.
Zachary actually hesitated at that.
“We’re already married, Ember. I don’t want you to hurt Lulu, so tell me already-do you know where she is?”
Ember held his gaze. “That’s right, we’re married. Why would I want to hurt her?”
Zachary was stumped.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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