016 Expulsion Order

Tobias Perkins, who had been in control of everything, was now feeling annoyed and frustrated. He had always thought he was the one in control, but now it seemed that he was more likely to have been manipulated.

He wasn't a person used to playing games.

Samantha Collins hugged his arm, swinging from left to right with a smile on her face. Forcibly, Tobias pushed her away and asked the people behind her, "Who sent you?"

"Mr. Perkins," the leader handed over a box to Tobias, "You'll understand once you see what's inside. We'll leave now."

With that said, they turned and left.

Tobias couldn't believe his own people would treat him like this in his own company. His eyes grew heavy with seriousness, but he ultimately suppressed his anger and opened the box.

Inside was a medal with English words engraved on it, representing an international chemistry award of high prestige, with only a few recipients each year.

There were also six numbers at the bottom, representing the date the medal was awarded, which was just last month.

Tobias understood: she had returned.

A storm of emotions was brewing in his eyes. He took a deep breath and handed the box to Willard Winter, instructing, "Take her back."

Samantha had only been there for less than two minutes before Tobias tried to send her away, but she wouldn't have it. The grievances she had received from Olivia Taylor yesterday would have to be exaggerated and presented to Tobias today.

She barged into Tobias' embrace, hugging him tightly and cooing, "I don't want to leave yet…"

Seeing this scene, Willard pursed his lips and turned his head away.

"Am I not late enough?"

A cold voice came from the doorway, accompanied by a slight panting.

Olivia ran all the way there, only to see Samantha clinging to Tobias.

The two were so brazen, even in her laboratory!

Was this her last sanctuary, and even here, was it to be polluted and tainted by Tobias?

Olivia now only wanted to mock herself. She had just thought Tobias might be hurt, but it turned out that all of this was a trap he had set to delay her!

Just so that he could be with this woman in her laboratory…

"Please leave. This is my laboratory, not your playground," Olivia said, lowering her head. Her hair, disheveled from running, covered half of her face.

Tobias couldn't see Olivia's expression. He knew he had been played today. Samantha's arrival was just perfect, preceding Olivia's by only a moment.

Olivia tried her best to restrain her emotions. Her breathing was chaotic due to running, and, combined with her anger, her shoulders heaved with each breath.

Tobias just looked at Olivia. He felt an inexplicable urge to support Samantha's shoulders with his hands.

"Olivia, how's Auntie Talbot?"

It was in this situation that Tobias asked Olivia about her mother. His restrained tone still sounded somewhat concerned.

Samantha naturally didn't like what she heard and began to squirm uneasily in Tobias' embrace. Tobias didn't stop her but instead increased his grip on her body to keep her still.

Samantha felt pain in her shoulders and was just about to pout and say "you hurt me" when she noticed the turbulent emotions hidden beneath Tobias' calm expression.

Through her interactions with Tobias during this time, Samantha gradually realized that she couldn't fathom the depth of this man's heart. Gnashing her teeth, she decided to wait for a better opportunity to complain. For now, it was best to keep her mouth shut.

"She's fine, thanks to you still remembering," Olivia answered listlessly, still leaning against the doorway, lifting her head to meet Tobias' gaze.

Tobias had always referred to his mother in this manner, both affectionate and distant.

If calling her "Auntie Talbot" was a habit formed during his youth, then after being married for such a long time, Tobias still hadn't changed his ways.

It was just Olivia, who had willingly put herself in the middle.

However, when Tobias called her earlier, he hadn't asked where she was. He knew she was going to visit her mother today.

Caring and uncaring, remembering and ignoring, Tobias' feelings for her were complicated.

As a couple, they were supposed to be each other's most intimate partners. They had mastered this tacit understanding, but it was as if there were a thick fog between them, preventing them from seeing or grasping each other.

"Let's end the pleasantries. Please leave," Olivia once again ordered them to leave.

Tobias checked his watch and told Olivia, "Olivia, be sure to come home on time." With that, he pushed Samantha forward, creating some distance between them.

Samantha stumbled, not quite steady on her feet. No one in the room would offer her help. She straightened her clothes, and as her high heels clicked sharply on the floor, she brushed past Olivia.

"Hmph…"

As Tobias passed by Olivia, he reached out to touch her shoulder, brought his head close to her ear and whispered, "Olivia, remember to come home on time." As he spoke, his grip on her tightened a bit more.

Olivia turned to look at him, trying to discern from his cold expression whether this repetitive reminder was a prelude to a storm or genuine concern for her.

But Tobias didn't linger for long. The moment his hand left her shoulder, Olivia suddenly felt a chill on her skin, as if a cold wind had blown across it.

Instinctively, she held her shoulder and saw Willard packing up his computer.

Olivia tilted her head in thought. Why would Tobias and Samantha have an affair in her lab while a subordinate was by their side typing codes?

It seemed Tobias' interests had evolved further.

Looking at the departing Willard, Olivia suddenly called out to him, "Willard."

Willard stopped and looked at her without saying a word. Olivia waved a hand, "Never mind, you can go."

What would she gain by asking? Willard was Tobias' subordinate and a man of few words. Even if she asked, she might not get an answer.

Finally alone in the laboratory, she gazed through the layers of glass at the petri dishes with bacterial sprouts in the sterile room. She suddenly felt that these silent bacteria were much easier to understand than humans.