When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0938

The news came like a bolt out of the blue.

Bryan woke up on a seemingly ordinary morning. He immediately checked his phone for any missed calls or messages.

There were some, but none from Elizabeth. Feeling disappointed, he got up, washed his face, and headed out.

His phone rang as soon as he arrived at the lab. It was his girlfriend, the one whom he had been longing to hear from.

“Lizzy, why haven’t you responded to my messages these past few days? Do you know how worried I’ve been? I-”

“Bryan, you’re so annoying!

Bryan froze in shock as Elizabeth continued, “Do you think it’s fun to keep calling and messaging me? Don’t you get it if I don’t answer your calls or reply to your messages? I just don’t want to answer your calls.

“Why can’t you understand that and stop bothering me? Your relentless calls and messages are driving me crazy!”

“Lizzy…” Bryan was at a loss: “I… I was just worried about you since you hadn’t responded. I was afraid something had happened to you…”

She let out a cold laugh. “Something happened? What could possibly happen to me? Can you stop acting like an overbearing parent and sticking your nose into everything?”

The light in Bryan’s eyes dimmed. “I just want to be a good boyfriend…”

“That’s enough! Whether you’re good or not isn’t up to you to decide. Stop calling or messaging me. I just want to be left alone right now!”

With that, Elizabeth hung up directly without giving him a chance to respond.

Bryan stumbled into the lab in a daze, nearly knocking over a trash can. Seeing him in that state, Sandy called out to him in time, “Bry? Watch where you’re going!”

He quickly steadied the trash can and gave her an awkward smile.

“Let’s go,” Sandy said.

“Go where?”

“The meeting room! Dr. Jefferson sent out an email yesterday notifying us about a meeting at ten this morning. He said he has something to announce.”

“Oh, right! My brain has been so overloaded lately that I completely forgot…” Bryan caught up with her and headed to the meeting room.

Chapter 0938) novelbin

> +26 BOHIUS

Sandy said, “I understand. You’ve had a lot going on at home lately. I was like this too when my son was sick. Just hang in there. Better days will come once this passes.”

Bryan agreed readily. As they chatted, the two arrived at the meeting room. Silas and Paul were already waiting for them.

“Take a seat.” Paul gestured to both of them. His gaze lingered on Bryart for a moment.

That look…

Bryan himself couldn’t quite describe it. Paul’s meaningful gaze seemed to be a complex mix of conflicted emotions, regret, and sympathy…

Given the setting, he refrained from asking questions despite his confusion. Instead, he sat down next to Sandy.

Paul began, “Now that everyone is here, let’s get straight to the point.”

Everyone straightened up, especially Silas. His sense of foreboding back then seemed to be on the verge of becoming reality. He had only seen Paul this serious a handful of times, and each time it was because of a major incident.

“Due to certain reasons, the lab will be terminating Elizabeth’s employment contract as of today.”

Paul’s statement was concise, without any extra context or preamble. However, the shock from his words left everyone stunned and staring blankly at him. It took a long time before anyone returned to their senses.

Silas spoke hesitantly, “Dr. Jefferson, is there some kind of misunderstanding here?” Terminating her employment contract… That meant Paul was essentially firing her.

The relationship between them, Paul, and the lab was clear–cut…

The lab belonged to Paul, and they were all contracted employees of the laboratory. They received monthly salaries, quarterly bonuses, and a year–end bonus annually.

If the lab were likened to a company, Paul would be the boss, and they would be his employees.

In addition, they were also working as lecturers at the college. For example, Silas was already a professor and a graduate advisor.

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