They had not met since the incident involving Kyle, and this was the first time they had met since the decision regarding Kyle’s case was made.

David’s brows instinctively knitted together when he saw Kyle. “You certainly know how to find someone—following me all the way here. But where were you back then? Why did you wait until the results were out to come to me? You are too late.”

After the incident, he had Natalie pass on messages twice, instructing Kyle to see him. However, Kyle stubbornly did not show up even once.

The truth was, Kyle felt somewhat uncomfortable. After the incident, the person he probably least wished to see was David.

He could not bear the look of disappointment in David’s eyes, nor the deep-seated contempt that emanated from them. It pained him more than being a social pariah. To him, every glance David cast at him was like death by a thousand cuts, leaving him in unbearable agony.

Kyle stepped aside to let David pass through the door and said, “You have misunderstood. I am not here to see you.”

He lowered his head slightly, avoiding David’s gaze, wishing only that David would leave quickly so as not to delay his onboarding process. If the staff at the research institute became aware of his expulsion, it was uncertain whether his employment could proceed.

“You’re not here to see me?” David looked surprised, then turned his head to glance inside the research institute. “Then what brings you here?”

Summoning his courage, Kyle spoke quietly, “I have another matter to attend to, Professor. Please continue with your work. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

Fearing David would continue questioning him, he immediately turned and headed straight to the onboarding area on the second floor.

Seeing Kyle behave as if he were fleeing, David’s eyes flashed with disgust. But then he reasoned. Since Kyle had been expelled from school, David assumed that he was looking for a job.

'But can his experience…'

David, having thought of something, turned and went to find Audrey.

In the evening, Audrey returned home. As soon as she entered her room, her mom shouted, “Natalie, get the hell out of there!”

Natalie had been feeling uneasy, deeply worried that if the research institute discovered Kyle’s situation, her plan would fall through.

She was also afraid that her mother would find out that she had failed to slander Josie. Even worse, Natalie had nearly implicated her in the process. If her mother discovered these things, she would punish her.

After school, Natalie planned to return home early to avoid being pestered by Kyle. Fortunately, everything was going smoothly for him, and Natalie heard he would be completing his onboarding procedures that day. ‘Who would have known…’

She stepped out of the room cautiously and asked, “What’s wrong, Mom?”

“You still have the nerve to ask me what’s wrong?” Audrey raised her hand and lashed out at Natalie.

“You fool! Who told you to beg your aunt to arrange for the one surnamed Langton to be admitted to the research institute?

“Do you think I don’t know he was expelled from university and can’t get his graduate degree? Assigning such a good-for-nothing to the research institute can make me lose face!”

Audrey cursed as she raised her hand and slapped Natalie’s face. Before long, blood flowed out of her nose.

“He is Professor Lawson’s student. How could he possibly bring you any embarrassment? In this incident, it was Josie who schemed against him. He is already in a dire situation, unable to obtain his graduate diploma. How could I not help him?” Natalie explained.

“Mom, consider this carefully. Members of Professor Lawson’s team could not possibly be incompetent. He was admitted, remained for so many years, and has received numerous awards. Don’t you think he has shown enough capability?

“I have helped him now. In the future, he will undoubtedly be completely loyal to you. You have often said that there are no people of your own in the research institute, and it has not been easy for you to climb to your current position. I did all of this just for you!”

Natalie screamed hoarsely, as if her good intentions had been misunderstood and she had been wronged.