The night was deep.
Ethan Sullivan closed the final document.
He glanced toward the laboratory.
The lights were still on.
There was no need to guess who it was.
Sophia Sullivan was working overtime.
He wheeled himself into the lab.
His brows furrowed unconsciously.
Sophia was intently focused on her computer screen.
Her face looked slightly pale.
Dark circles were evident under her eyes.
She hadn't rested well yesterday.
Now she was burning the midnight oil again.
"Working late harms your health."
Ethan's voice was deep.
Sophia didn't look up.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
The moment she heard his voice,
She discreetly pocketed the USB drive.
"Aren't you doing the same, Mr. Sullivan?"
She finally completed the last step.
Stretching her stiff body.
Ethan handed her a steaming cup of coffee.
"The company's auditing accounts recently."
"Perfume orders have skyrocketed."
"I had no choice but to work late."
"But Ms. Sullivan is my honored guest."
"If you exhaust yourself,"
"That would be my negligence."
Sophia downed the coffee in one gulp.
"I got too absorbed in perfume blending today."
"Lost track of time."
Her words were half-truths.
The perfume blending was real.
But more time had been spent hacking into Caleb Vance's computer.
Copying those hidden files.
And attempting to connect to the main server.
She was thoroughly drained.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Sullivan."
Sophia smiled faintly.
She preferred solitude.
The lab staff hadn't been fully vetted yet.
Those with ill intentions
Were still lurking in the shadows.
She was waiting for them to make their move.
Ethan watched as she organized her equipment.
"I'll take you home."
"No need."
"It's not raining today."
"My car's in the garage."
"Not parked as far as last time."
"It's on my way."
Ethan's tone was calm.
Sophia arched a brow at him.
"The Sullivan Estate and The Underground City."
"One's east, the other west."
"How is that on your way?"
Ethan remained expressionless.
"I have business in The Underground City."
"We're going the same direction."
Sophia stopped refusing.
"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Sullivan."
She needed to gain Ethan's trust.
This opportunity shouldn't be declined.
"You go down first, Mr. Sullivan."
"Too many eyes in the company."
"Wait for me in the garage."
"Ms. Sullivan is overly cautious."
Ethan's gaze darkened.
"Even if someone talks out of turn,"
"I have ways to silence them."
His voice carried a chill.
The oppressive aura of authority was palpable.
But Sophia remained unfazed.
"Just avoiding complications."
"See you soon."
"I'll wait in the garage."
Ethan turned and left.
A peculiar emotion stirred in him.
Sophia always kept her distance.
Though they were friends,
She insisted on maintaining boundaries.
This push-and-pull dynamic
Made him want to close the gap.
It was almost addictive.
Ten minutes later,
Sophia finally descended.
The lab lights went dark.
A figure emerged from a corner on the first floor.
Caleb Vance watched the elevator direction.
A cold smirk curled his lips.
"Your days are numbered."
He was determined to drive Sophia out of the company.