Chapter 20 Threatening Anton
“Mr. Howland gave Johanna many books?” Norberto narrowed his eyes, calculating inwardly.
Adrienne’s eyes lit up. She saw the hope and continued, “Yeah, there’re quite many.”
“The books should be taken good care of, but as for the dorm, I promised Mr. Howland…” Norberto feigned hesita- tion.
He wished to please both parties, but he didn’t want to take the risk of offending Theron, who asked him to keep the dorm for Lizzie two days ago. If he drove Lizzie out of the dorm, Theron might be angry with him.
Sensing his wavering, Adrienne pressed him, “Mr. Howland asked you to keep the dorm for Lizzie because she was in the hospital and couldn’t move out. Now she has left the hospital, but she hasn’t moved out. She’s putting you in a difficult position.”
She lowered her voice, “Besides, everyone knows that Mr. Howland cares about Hanna the most.”
Even if Theron knew about this later, he would give in for the sake of Johanna.
Norberto raised his eyebrow. “Our lab isn’t heartless. I agreed to keep Lizzie’s dorm only because she was hospital- ized, but if she doesn’t move out after leaving the hospital, it’s her fault.”
“Mr. Palmer, you’ve been too kind to Lizzie the thief,” flattered Adrienne.
Pleased, Norberto narrowed his eyes and casually put the coffee cup on the desk, standing up and shouting, “Adam, bring a hammer and go to the dorm.”
Adrienne, smugly self–righteous, hadn’t even closed the office door when she complained about the dorm.
When Lizzie and the others went past Norberto’s office, they heard the conversation well.
“You’ve been too kind to Lizzie the thief.”
Upon hearing it, Colton flushed crimson and abruptly clenched his fists, leaning forward to dash into the office and argue with them.
“Colton!” Lizzie quickly seized his wrist and stopped him.
“Lizzie…” Colton said in a depression.
What kind of man would he be if he allowed others to insult Lizzie right in front of him?
But Lizzie’s steady gaze slowly cooled down the fury boiling inside him.
“There are many solutions besides violence,” Lizzie said calmly, releasing his hand.
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Chapter 20 Threatening Anton
She turned to Glenna, her eyes flicking meaningfully toward Norma.
“Glenna, please keep an eye on her. After I sort things out, I’ll ask her to identify the rumor starter.”
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Glenna nodded in agreement and clutched Norma’s arm with both hands, staring at her sternly as a warning against the attempt to run away.
Lizzie turned her head and looked at Norma with a meaningful smile.
“Norma, you aren’t thinking of running, are you?”
Her tone was tender, but her words sent a chill up Norma’s spine.
Hunched and trembling since entering Equinox Research Laboratory, Norma jerked her head up at the question.
“Never! I won’t run!”
Lizzie nodded with satisfaction.
Norma wouldn’t give up and said weakly, “But there are so many people here. How can I find her?”
Lizzie’s smile deepened. “Who knows? She might just pop up before you shortly.”
She turned to Colton.
“Colton, wheel me to the director’s office.”
“Right away!” Holding the wheelchair handles steadily, Colton carefully pushed her toward the director’s office.
The wheels hummed softly across the floor, and Colton wheeled Lizzie to the director’s office under her guidance.
“Colton, wait outside.”
Colton opened his mouth to protest, but he swallowed his words when looking into Lizzie’s calm and confident eyes.
“Alright. Call me if needed.”
Lizzie nodded and pushed her wheelchair forward, knocking softly on the door and pushing it open before entering Anton’s office.
“Please come in,” Anton said and looked up to see Lizzie entering.
The smile on his face instantly froze, his eyes getting evasive. Anton quickly sat up straight and gripped the armrests.
“Lizzie, why are you here? You’re in suspension and shouldn’t come here.” He raised his voice deliberately and sounded businesslike, his fingers drumming against the desk.
Lizzie remained calm as she slowly rolled her wheelchair toward the desk, halting directly across from Anton.
“We left matters unfinished last time. Now we need to talk.”
Anton frowned, a hint of irritation flashing across his eyes.
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Chapter 20 Threatening Anton
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“Nothing to discuss. Your case is closed. Only for Theron’s sake do I overlook your trespass. If you do this again, I’ll have you thrown out.”
Unruffled, Lizzie wheeled closer to the desk.
“Are you certain about this? The archives have been sealed. What are they investigating? The accounting books of the
lab?”
In her previous life, Lizzie went to Theron’s hometown and knew nothing of the audit. She only recalled Anton was punished for embezzlement ten years later, so she was using this to threaten him.
Hatfield paled instantly and abruptly got to his feet.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
After roaring, he realized he had overreacted.
It happened three years ago, buried and undiscovered. The current investigation didn’t target his embezzlement.
However, Anton glanced at the door in a panic and went over to lock the door.
He came back and pointed to Lizzie. “I warn you not to make groundless accusations.”
Lizzie recalled the newspaper clippings Theron had brought home back then. She said calmly, “Three years ago. 2,000 dollars.”
Anton abruptly stood up, slamming both hands on the desk, his face drained of color.
“How do you know this? Who told you?” His voice dropped to a whisper, hissing through clenched teeth.
Lizzie calmly adjusted her wheelchair to face Anton. “That’s irrelevant. What matters is that I know.”
Even seated while he stood towering over her, her confidence didn’t waver a bit.
“You only need to understand two things. I know this secret, and I can tell someone else about it.”
Anton glared at Lizzie and gritted his teeth.
“What do you want?”
Lizzie smiled. “It’s simple. Suspend my penalty and wait for the investigation. I need time to clear my name.”
Anton sneered. “Even if I agree, will Theron do that?”
Lizzie’s smile didn’t fade, but a hint of hatred crept into her eyes.
“That’s my business. You just need to do as I say.”
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