When fate plays its hand

Elizabeth stormed into the lab and marched toward Paul. “Why did you fire me?” she demanded. “Was it because I took a week off for sick leave? Or did something go wrong with the project?” novelbin

He looked at her, then scoffed. “Just because the police couldn’t figure out who did it doesn’t mean I don’t know who’s behind it. Do you want me to spell it out for everyone to hear?”

The last shred of hope in Elizabeth’s eyes disappeared.

He had known all along but had waited until now to confront her. It felt like a sucker punch to her gut. All the anger she had been holding back never had a chance to erupt. Instead, it just fizzled out like that.

While watching the exchange between them, Sandy felt the urge to speak. But when her eyes met Paul’s cold, piercing gaze, even she–usually oblivious to these things–realized the situation was far more complicated than she had imagined.

As their conversation played out in her mind, an absurd theory began to form. Suddenly, her gaze toward Elizabeth changed from sympathy to shock.

On the other hand, Silas had already pieced it together long ago and stayed silent.

Bryan, however, was still in the dark. He stepped forward to support Elizabeth and said, “Lizzy

“Get lost! Don’t touch me!” she snapped and pushed him away.

Elizabeth fled the scene in a hurry. Why were Sandy and Silas looking at her like that? Could they have guessed what had happened?

Bryan stood frozen and stared at his empty hands. For a long moment, he didn’t move or raise his head.

Paul turned and wanted to return to his lab bench.

But suddenly, Bryan spoke up. “Dr. Jefferson, can you at least give us a reason?”

Silas tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

Paul slowly turned to face him.

Bryan pressed on, “You fired Lizzy. There must be a reason for it, right? What exactly did she do to deserve this?”

Paul smiled, but the sympathy he might have had for Bryan vanished in an instant and was replaced by an icy, piercing gaze. “You’ve worked your way from undergraduate to PhD. I’d say your intelligence is fine.”

Bryan was baffled by the statement.

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Paul continued, “You can’t expect everyone to pretend to be ignorant because you’re deceiving yourself. As someone with higher education, the east you should be able to do is distinguish right from wrong.

“Some things should be obvious without having to be said. If I have to spell it out for you, it won’t just be your pride that’s hurt–It’ll also be your dignity.”

With that, Paul lost interest in continuing his work. He took off his lab coat and walked away.

Bryan stood there, stunned.

Silas couldn’t hide his anger and pointed at him. He spat through clenched teeth, “Bry, I’m not trying to be harsh, but seriously–get a grip.

“Paul already cut you some slack. But instead of accepting it, you had to stir things up just to defend her. Do you not realize you’re just as responsible for this mess as anyone else.”

With that, he stormed off angrily.

Sandy sighed and looked at Bryan with a mixture of pity and amusement. “I can’t believe you don’t see it. Lizzy doesn’t treat you like a boyfriend at all. She’s just using you while she’s chasing after Dr. Jefferson. You’re just her placeholder.

“Unfortunately, the man she really wants won’t even look at her, so she’s stuck with you and used you to do her bidding. Eventually, you’ll be left in the dust.”

“There are some things better left unsaid to spare everyone the embarrassment. But if you really want the truth, you should ask your girlfriend.”

Bryan was blinded by love and still couldn’t see what everyone else had figured out.

After saying that, Sandy walked away. She was baffled at how someone so smart could be so blind in love matters.

Just then, Bryan’s phone rang. He glanced at the affectionate contact name on the screen. The memory of Elizabeth pushing him away earlier, like he was nothing more than an inconvenience, flashed in his mind. For the first time, doubt crept in.

But he still pressed the answer button.

On the other end, the woman’s voice came through.