?


    Although Mason was usually quite independent, he was still a child. He''d probably get scared when his parents weren''t home.


    "Mm, I know," Damon replied.


    While they were talking, the elevator reached N''s floor.


    "I''m heading to theb," N said.


    "Okay, message me when you''re almost done," Damon reminded her.


    "Sure." N nodded, quickly stepped out of the elevator, and disappeared around the corner.


    By the time she arrived at theb, Ruby had already set up the experiment.


    N nced at her notebook, jotting down a few potential issues that couldplicate the experiment, and then began the process again with Ruby.


    The two of them were so focused that several hours passed before they realized it was close to midnight.


    Fortunately, the experiment was sessful this time, and the data came out as expected, leaving them both relieved. If the experiment had failed, they would probably have had to stay up all night in theb.


    After finishing, N and Ruby tidied up theb and left. On their way to the elevator, N sent Damon a message to let him know they were done. Damon replied quickly.


    Damon: [Got it. I''ll wait for you on the first floor.]


    N: [Okay.]


    She put her phone away and nced at Ruby, who was also typing a reply.


    Not wanting to invade Ruby''s


    privacy, N quickly turned her ga?e away, but her sharp eyesight caught the name of the person Ruby was messaging-Sullivan.


    N bit her lip but didn''t remind Ruby that Sullivan was no saint. After all, Ruby was an adult and could distinguish right from wrong.


    N had already warned her a few times as Ruby''s senior, and that was enough. Saying too much would be interfering in Ruby''s personal life.


    Ruby was indeed replying to


    Sullivan''s text, but her responses et


    were brief, almost cold. It seemed Sullivan hadn''t noticed, as he continued messaging her.


    Hisst message asked why she wasn''t asleep yet. She couldn''t be bothered to reply, so she simply closed the chat.


    She turned to N. "Sorry for keeping youte today, N. It was my mistake that we had to work overtime."


    N shook her head. "It''s my fault,


    too. If it weren''t for my dad needing my signature for the surgery paperwork, I wouldn''t have rushed out and caused problems with the experiment."


    A flicker of something crossed Ruby''s gaze. If she had been morepetent, the experiment wouldn''t have fallen apart as soon as N left.


    She changed the topic. "N, are you hungry? Want to grab a bite?"


    N shook her head. "No, I''m a bit tired. Go ahead, I''ll cover it."


    "If you''re not going, then I won''t either. What''s the point of eating alone?" Ruby replied.


    The two of them entered the elevator, which quickly descended to the first floor.


    As soon as they stepped out, N spotted Damon''s tall figure nearby. She walked up quickly, surprised. "Have you been waiting long?" "No, I just got here," Damon answered.


    N turned to Ruby. "Ruby, we''ll take you home. It''s toote, and it''s not safe to walk alone at night."