Chapter 487
The woman leaned in, her eyes seductive like a soul-stealing enchantress!
She said, "Let me be your antidote."
Boom—
All restraint shattered instantly.
He became a frenzied beast, devouring her whole.
"Sophia, don't blame me…"
At the final moment, he heard his own guilt-ridden murmur.
Then began a new round of conquest…
He lost count of how many times, or the positions.
Alexander woke up just before dawn.
The sheets were already damp and soiled.
Immense shame, accompanied by an indescribable sense of loss, nearly drowned him.
Furious, he jumped out of bed.
He stripped the sheets and duvet cover and threw them all into the trash.
Alexander Laurent, you absolute animal!
This low mood persisted until he left his apartment.
Coincidentally, the door across from his opened as well.
"Professor! Morning!" Sophia greeted him with a smile.
Her gaze fell on the bulging black trash bag in his hand.
The pattern of fabric was faintly visible at the opening.
If she remembered correctly, those were his bedsheets?
Alexander froze completely upon seeing her.
His eyes scanned the trash bag, and he nearly turned to stone.
He hurriedly muttered "Morning" and rushed downstairs first.
Yes, he ran.
Sophia: "?"
Was he going for a morning run?
…
Lillian Lopez had returned to Kyoto a day earlier than Alexander.
Whether out of guilt or a desire to avoid him, she had chosen to return with the larger group.
She didn't ask about Alexander's schedule.
Alexander didn't contact her either.
In the past, this would have upset her.
This time, however, she felt relieved.
Her parents asked about the summit when she got home.
Lillian left with a few words.
She excused herself by saying she was tired and retreated to her room.
The moment she put down her luggage, she was so scared she cried.
But she didn't dare make a sound.
The next day, Lillian was "sick."
She sent a leave email to Alexander's mailbox.
She didn't go to the lab for seven consecutive days.
When Dr. Zoe Langley and Quincy Evans asked, Alexander told them the truth.
"...Sick?"
"What kind of illness? Is it serious?"
Alexander expressionlessly stated, "I don't know," and turned to the实验台.
His shadow was cold and stern.
Quincy frowned.
Based on years of working together—
There was something wrong!
But it involved a lab member's private matter, so he couldn't pry further.
He suppressed his doubts and continued working.
His attitude was much more serious than usual.
He stopped joking around.
Dr. Zoe Langley wasn't as perceptive.
She genuinely thought Lillian was seriously ill.
Unable to get information from Alexander, she went to ask Simon Lowell.
"...Do you think Quincy and I should buy some fruit and visit? We've worked together for so many years, we're practically family."
Simon was stunned from the moment he heard "Lillian is sick."
Lillian was sick?
And she had asked the professor for leave?
Why hadn't she said anything to him?
She wasn't answering his calls either…
It had been three days since Lillian returned.
Simon's calls either went to voicemail or couldn't connect.
He sent messages every day on WeChat and QQ.
There was never any response from the other end.
Lillian seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth!
He had been frantic with worry these past two days, afraid something had happened to her.
He tried contacting her family.
He found that after nearly a year of dating, he didn't even know her parents' names, let alone their contact information.
Anxiety and worry kept Simon up all night.
He lost five pounds in two days.
Dark circles under his eyes made him look pale and haggard.
"...Simon? Simon!"
"Ah? Zhao姐, what did you say just now?"
"You look terrible. Is your mother's condition still not stable? I heard she was hospitalized last time. Is she out now?"
"Sh-she's out. Thank you for your concern, Zhao姐. I'm fine."
"That's good. Your mom just got better, and now Lillian is having issues. You've really been through a lot…"
Simon forced a dry laugh.
His mother wasn't sick at all.
He had lied to give his summit spot to Lillian.
As for Lillian being sick…
He had no information at all.
If Dr. Zoe Langley hadn't mentioned it, he might still be in the dark.
Dr. Zoe Langley: "So, do you think Quincy and I should…"
"No need. It's nothing serious. She'll be back in a few days. No need to make a big deal out of it."
"Alright, if you say so. You're a couple after all. Your word is as good as hers."
Simon nodded hurriedly.
Two more days passed.
He didn't wait for Lillian's return.
Instead, he received news that she had been fired.
Morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains.
Simon Lowell's first act upon waking was to reach for his phone.
The screen lit up. No missed calls.
There were a few new messages on WeChat. None were from Lillian Lopez.
He got out of bed, feeling dejected, and went to wash up. He hurried to the lab.
His phone rang just as he reached the door.
The caller ID made his heart race—
"Lil! Where have you been these past few days? I called so many times…"
"Simon, are you for real?"
He froze.
"I'm not answering calls or replying to messages because I don't want to talk to you. Is that not obvious enough? Calling and texting non-stop, when will you stop?"
"I was just worried about you…"
"I don't need it! Stop stalking me, okay? I need personal space!"
The call ended abruptly.
Simon stood there, phone in hand, stunned.
"Watch out!" Dr. Zoe Langley steadied an instrument he'd almost knocked over.
Simon finally snapped out of it.
"Let's go to the conference room." Zoe patted his shoulder. "Professor Laurent called a meeting for ten."
They walked into the conference room one after the other.
Professor Quincy Evans and Alexander Laurent were already seated.
Alexander's gaze swept over Simon, holding an unreadable depth.
"Everyone's here. Let's get straight to the point."
Alexander was direct. "Effective immediately, the lab is terminating its contract with Lillian Lopez."
The room fell silent.
Quincy was the first to react. "Professor, is there some misunderstanding?"
Zoe hesitated. "Is it because Lillian is sick?"
Alexander offered no explanation. He continued assigning work. "Simon will take over Lillian's projects. Complete the handover promptly."
Simon's mind went blank.
He only snapped back to reality when Zoe nudged him under the table.
"Professor, why?"
Alexander looked at him. He said nothing. He stood up and left.
The lab atmosphere remained heavy all morning.
Simon picked up his phone several times to call Lillian. Each time, he hesitated and put it down.
He had an inkling of the reason.
Meanwhile, Lillian was at home, staring blankly at her computer screen.
The "Contract Termination" email hit like a sledgehammer.
She shot up and rushed out the door.
At the lab's main entrance, her fingerprint and iris scan both failed.
"Alexander Laurent! Open the door!"
"Let me in!"
"Simon! I know you're in there!"
Inside the lab, Simon was restless.
He looked at Alexander. "Professor, let her in... At least let her have an explanation."
Alexander gave him a long, deep look.
"You go open the door."
Simon walked to the door, relieved.
He had no idea this decision would become one he deeply regretted.