Chapter 492

Sophia Sullivan froze. "Professor Laurent is here?"

"He arrived around two. Waited over an hour for you. Left about ten minutes ago when you still weren't back."

Ten minutes ago...

"Sophia, has the Professor been really busy lately? A new lab project? But the last one just wrapped up..."

How unsettling!

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"

"He looked... not great. Serious dark circles, like he pulled an all-nighter. Didn't smile much when we talked. His brow was furrowed so tight he could've crushed a mosquito."

A flicker of something crossed Sophia's eyes. "Maybe. The lab is always busy..."

Hannah Morse hesitated.

She had a strong feeling Professor Laurent was in a bad mood, too.

...

Alexander Laurent drove straight home, pulling into his garage.

The spot next to his was empty. She'd taken her car.

So if she drove, why was she in Zachary Wang's car?

Alexander climbed the stairs in silence.

His phone rang midway—Quincy Evans.

"...I swear I gave you the analysis report before leaving yesterday. I can't find it anywhere."

Alexander said nothing. This wasn't his problem to solve.

More frantic rustling came from the other end. "...It's really not here. I've checked every drawer and cabinet. I'll eat my hat if you find it here."

Alexander's voice was icy. "Are you suggesting I lost it?"

Quincy choked.

Okay, that possibility was nearly impossible.

Anyone might lose a report, but not Alexander Laurent.

He never made mistakes. He was practically a textbook.

Quincy felt insane for even suspecting him...

"Fine, I'll keep looking. I refuse to believe it's gone! I definitely saw it yesterday..."

Quincy muttered and hung up.

Alexander reached the seventh floor.

He took out his keys, opened the door, and paused while changing his shoes—

The missing analysis report was sitting right on the shoe cabinet.

He stared blankly for a moment, confusion in his eyes.

When did he bring this home?

No memory of it at all...

Annoyed, Alexander called Quincy back. "...It's here. I brought it home yesterday."

Silence for two seconds. "...You're kidding me, Alex?! What's going on? That's a mistake I'd make!"

"..."

"No comeback? Really hit a nerve?"

"..."

"Not that either? Then I can't think of anything else that would mess you up like this except little Sophia."

Alexander's breath hitched.

Quincy heard it immediately. "Whoa— This is about Sophia?"

"No!" Alexander snapped, then hung up in a fluster.

Quincy: "?"

If it's not, then why shout? So defensive...

Tsk!

"The old house is about to catch fire!"