Yvette’s expression hardened as she set her coffee cup on the table, the sound of a quiet but deliberate click that filled the tense silence. Her lingers lingered on the rim for a moment, tracing its edge, before she finally raised her gaze, eyes sharp and piercing. Yet, she said nothing.


    Simon rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the stress from the past few weeks pressing down on him. It fueled his desperation to find Siren. How old is Yvette, anyway? How could she possibly be Siren? he thought to himself.


    “I am,” Yvette said, breaking the silence.


    “You can go ba” Simon stopped mid–sentence, freezing in disbelief. His eyes shot up to meet hers, his expression a Tumultuous mix of shock and confusion.


    Alwaysposed and graceful, he now struggled to regain his control. His voice trembled as he stammered, “Yvette, you… What did you just say? Say it again.” He stared at her intently, searching her eyes for some kind of exnation that would make sense of this revtion.


    Yvette’s fingers, which had been tapping a steady rhythm on the table, suddenly stilled. She lifted her gaze, cold and detached, her voice t and almost indifferent. “I am Siren.”


    Those three words hit Simon like a thunderp. He remained motionless and speechless as the weight of the revtion settled over him. At over fifty, he found himself surprisingly at a loss, grappling with a truth he had never expected.


    The person he had been searching for was right in front of him all along. Yvette wasn’t just acquainted with Siren–she was Siren, the physics genius that James had admired so much. It all made sense now, including the email he received from Siren right after Yvette went to the police station.


    If Yvette was indeed Siren, then it wasn’t just physics in which she excelled. She probably had a deep knowledge ofworks too–maybe even hacking. The whole thing was mind–boggling, yet Simon didn’t doubt her for a second; this was a truth that couldn’t be fabricated.


    “Am I the only one who knows?” he asked urgently. “Did you only tell me?”


    Yvette nodded. Her expression was indifferent, as if the weight of this revtion meant little to her. To her, it was simply a matter of no one bothering to ask; she had never intended to keep it a secret. Yvette disliked unnecessary trouble.


    Simon clutched his chest and sank into a chair, taking a moment topose himself. “Yvette… No, Siren, do you know that James Owens from the National Physics Lab in Betrico has been searching for you?”


    He then continued, “Mr. Owens‘ desperate to find you, and even… Forget I said that. But the country needs a mind like yours. You could help advance our nation, make it stronger.”


    Yvette remained silent; her expression unchanged. From the moment Simon uncovered her true identity, everything shifted. He could no longer see Yvette as just a student. She had be something much greater in his eyes.


    Leaning forward, his tone turned deeply sincere. “Mr. Owens is eager to recruit you. He said theb’s doors will always be open to you–whenever you’re ready! After speaking, Simon looked at Yvette with intense determination, as if a fire had been lit inside hum


    Yvette’s gaze fell, and she withdrew her hand from the table, T’m not interested, she said tly.


    Simon had learned not to push her: Yvette wasn’t someone to be pressured. Who knew what unpredictable path she might take if he did? He let out a sigh, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in his chest


    “Can you at least think about it and give me an answer by tomorrow?” His tone was almost pleading, stripped of any pretense. He didn’t care. After everything he’d gone through to find her, a little humility was worth the risk


    Yvette didn’t respond, but a flicker of irritation crossed her face, Simon pressed on. I’ll keep your secret, but there’s one person I can’t hide it from–Mr. Owens, He’s getting older, and this search has worn him down. I owe it to him to tell him the truth, don’t you think?”


    Just then, a knock on the door broke the tension. Simon quicklyposed himself, slipping back into his usual stern demeanor. “Come in.”


    The door opened, and Patrick stepped in, surprised to find Yvette seated on the couch. Ever since the Sky Nimbus incident, he had harbored suspicions about the rtionship between Simon and Yvette.


    Why else would Simon have rushed to the police station that day? Something’s going on. What exactly is their connection?” Patrick thought, his mind racing with possibilities.


    He gave Yvette a brief, assessing nce before turning his attention back to Simon “Mr. Sundend, Lewis Group will meet with you in ten minutes to discuss the talent exchange program for next quarter,” he stated, trying to keep his tone neutral.


    Simon nodded, his mind clearly elsewhere, still lingering on the conversation with Yvette. “Got it,” he replied, waving Patrick away dismissively.


    But instead of leaving. Patrick lingered just outside the door, curiosity getting the better of him as he hoped to catch more of their conversation. He heard Simon say, “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.


    Unable to resist, Patrick moved closer, straining to eavesdrop. Just then, the door swung open unexpectedly, and he nearly stumbled into Simon, who stood in the doorway, an icy re directed at him. “Mr. Williams, is there something else?” Simon said coldly.


    Caught in the act, Patrick let out an awkwardugh. “Oh, I just remembered something, Mr. Sundend. I was going to knock again. Just wanted to remind you about your trip to Betrico next week… Ipletely forgot.”N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    His excuse felt ridiculous, and even Yvette, sitting in the room, smirked at the absurdity. Her amusement only deepened Patrick’s embarrassment.


    Why is Yvette sofortable, sitting there like she belongs, while I, the dean of Argrol University, am standing here being lectured?‘ he thought bitterly. With every passing moment, his sense of shame.deepened, apanied by growing resentment toward Yvette.


    Simon wasn’t fooled by Patrick’s excuse. Normally, travel arrangements were handled by someone else. Patrick had no business mentioning it. But with Yvette present, Simon held back from reprimanding him.


    The office was soundproofed, so he wasn’t worried about Patrick overhearing anything important. There’s no need to concern yourself with that. Leo handles the details.”


    Now visibly uneasy, Patrick nodded and hurried out. He knew better than to eavesdrop again. Simon had no tolerance for nonsense. Getting caught a second time might cost him his job.


    The more he reflected on his mistake, the more anxious he became. For days afterward, he made sure to avoid Simon, like a mouse dodging a cat


    Once Patrick had left, Simon turned back to Yvette. “About what said, you….” But Yvette was already on her feet Without a word, she moved paar summon and walked out, her long legs carrying her swiftly from the ulice. She paused briefly at the door before exiting