Chapter 407: The Afternoon Sun Slanted Across the Concrete Parking Lot

The afternoon sun slanted across the concrete parking lot.

Grant Holloway's fist remained suspended midair, his knuckles white with tension.

Connor Hayes's suit collar was crooked, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Enough!" Mason Reed abruptly stepped between them. "Clara's coming!"

Both men turned.

The empty parking lot held only silent vehicles.

Julian Cross spread his hands. "Would you have stopped otherwise?"

Grant's Adam's apple bobbed.

Connor adjusted his tie, his thumb brushing the blood from his lip.

"Thirty-year-old men," Mason sighed, "brawling like high schoolers."

Connor said calmly, "He threw the first punch."

"Serves him right." Grant smirked.

Julian pocketed his hands. "Keep this up and Clara really will show. Who wants to explain their bruised faces then?"

Connor's fingers stilled.

Grant looked away.

"Get those cuts checked," Mason noted the scrapes on Grant's knuckles.

"Unnecessary." Grant met Connor's gaze. "Last warning—stay away from her."

Connor suddenly smiled. "No harm in trying. At least I still have a chance, unlike you—" He paused. "That ship has sailed."

Grant's fist clenched again, stopped by Mason's grip.

"Pathetic." Connor turned toward his car.

Tires screeched against pavement.

Grant shook Mason off. "He's gone. Why bother holding me back?"

"Worth it?" Mason studied his friend's bloodshot eyes.

Grant yanked his car door open. "Ask him that."

Another engine roared to life.

Mason and Julian exchanged glances.

"Damn frustrating." Mason kicked a pebble.

Julian produced a cigarette pack. "Two lunatics."

"What's Connor even playing at?"

Julian's lighter hesitated.

Through the smoke, he murmured, "Love doesn't follow logic."

Mason's eyes widened.

Hearing this from Julian was downright surreal.

So much for "bros before hoes."

So much for playing the field.

Morning light pierced the clouds.

A breeze lifted the lab curtain's edge.

Theo Marsh yawned as he pushed open the break room door.

"Elias?" He rubbed his eyes. "All-nighter?"

At the workstation, Elias Mercer remained motionless.

The pipette in his hand never wavered.

Only after recording the final dataset did he remove his goggles.

"Early start."

"How early?"

"Five."

Theo whistled. "You're... charger still here? My phone's dead."

"Left cabinet."

"Always so organized." Theo grumbled. "Can't you just leave it on the table?"

The cabinet door clicked.

Theo turned abruptly. "Your phone's blinking. Want me to grab it?"

Elias paused mid-wipe.

"Thanks."

When the screen lit up, his pupils contracted sharply.