Before ending the call, Mr. Smith's voice, filled with anger, came through the line: " Explain right now! what happened at the restaurant today. Why did you drink so much? Are you trying to kill yourself? Don't think that deleting the restaurant's surveillance footage will hide the truth from me..."

Barrett ended the call before Mr. Smith could finish speaking.

He immediately halted Zoe as she passed by in the corridor. Zoe paused and turned to face him.

As in previous encounters, she wore a surprised yet pleased expression, exclaiming, "Mr. Smith, what a coincidence! It seems we run into each other everywhere."

Barrett found Zoe's flattery distasteful at first,...