The other professors started coughing as soon as the professor started speaking, trying to warn him to be careful.


    “Cough, cough, cough—”


    The coughing echoed throughout the research institute, creating quite a spectacle. The professor shut his mouth as soon as he realized what they were trying to say and concluded that it would be best to leave things unsaid.


    Ivor raised an eyebrow in curiosity upon seeing this. "What''s going on with you all...?"


    He had almost dismissed his suspicions, but the professors'' strange behavior reignited his unease. It felt like they were hiding something from him about Bonnie.


    Sensing the tension, Toby quickly intervened. "Mr. Ivor, recently our professors here have caught a bad case of the flu and have been coughing non-stop for days. You should leave quickly to avoid getting infected."


    "Caught the flu?" Ivor''s worry for Bonnie was evident. "What about Bonnie? Did she catch it too?"


    "Ms. Bonita has been very careful with her protective measures. She always wears a mask when shees to the institute, so she hasn''t been infected," Toby replied while avoiding direct eye contact with Ivor, afraid his lie would be detected.


    Ivor sighed with relief. "As long as she''s not infected."


    He then looked at the group of professors and politely said, "If you''re all sick, please rest well. I''ll take my leave now."


    "Goodbye, Mr. Ivor." Toby waved as Ivor nodded slightly and left with Floyd.


    Once they were gone, the professors collectively exhaled in relief. One professor turned to Toby and asked, "Ms. Bonita hasn''t been at the institute these past few days. Where did she go? Why did Mr. Ivore here looking for her?"


    Other professors echoed their confusion.


    "Yeah, Ms. Bonita is usually either in theb or with Mr. Ivor. Now that Mr. Ivor is looking for her and she''s not here, could there be trouble in their rtionship?"


    "Yes, this is quite unusual."


    As the professors continued specting, Toby interrupted, "Enough! Stop jumping to conclusions! If Ms. Bonita isn''t here, she must have her reasons. Our job is to cover for her, not to pry or gossip."


    The professors quickly agreed, realizing the importance of their support.


    "Right, if Ms. Bonita asked us to keep Mr. Ivor in the dark, she must have a very good reason, possibly rted to some important international matter. She wouldn''t do this without a significant cause."


    "Exactly. Ms. Bonita is always involved in critical work that advances humanity. It''s likely due to confidentiality if she didn''t inform Mr. Ivor."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "Alright, everyone, let''s get back to our work. The fact that Mr. Ivor didn''t suspect anything means we handled it well. Let''s focus onpleting this phase of the experiment."


    "Absolutely. I still have to finish my part. Time to get back to it."


    With that, the professors returned to their respective tasks.


    Meanwhile, Ivor sat with a pensive expression in the Maybach parked outside the research institute.


    Sensing his boss''s mood through the rearview mirror, Floyd hesitantly asked, "Mr. Ivor, are you thinking that the professors'' responses about Ms. Bonita''s whereabouts were a bit off? Almost like they were evasive?"