Yvette’s expression hardened as she set her coffee cup on the table with a quiet, deliberate click that filled the tense silence. Her fingers lingered on the rim for a moment before she raised her gaze, her eyes sharp and piercing. Yet, she said nothing.

Simon rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the past few weeks' stress pressing down on him. His desperation to find Siren intensified. How old is Yvette, anyway? How could she possibly be Siren? he wondered.

“I am,” Yvette said, breaking the silence.

“You can go—” Simon stopped mid-sentence, freezing in disbelief. His eyes shot up to meet hers, his expression a tumultuous mix of shock and confusion. Always composed and graceful, he now struggled to regain his composure. His voice trembled as he stammered, “Yvette, you… What did you just say? Say it again.” He stared at her intently, searching her eyes for an explanation.

Yvette’s fingers, which had been tapping a steady rhythm on the table, stilled. She lifted her gaze, cold and detached, her voice flat and almost indifferent. “I am Siren.”

Those three words hit Simon like a thunderclap. He remained motionless and speechless as the revelation settled over him. At over fifty, he found himself surprisingly at a loss, grappling with an unexpected truth. The person he had been searching for was right in front of him all along. Yvette wasn't just acquainted with Siren—she was Siren, the physics genius James had admired. It all made sense now, including the email he received from Siren after Yvette went to the police station.

If Yvette was indeed Siren, her excellence extended beyond physics. She probably possessed deep knowledge of networks, perhaps even hacking. The whole thing was mind-boggling, yet Simon didn’t doubt her for a second; this was an undeniable truth.

“Am I the only one who knows?” he asked urgently. “Did you only tell me?”

Yvette nodded. Her expression remained indifferent, as if the weight of the revelation meant little to her. It was simply a matter of no one bothering to ask; she had never intended to keep it a secret. Yvette disliked unnecessary trouble.

Simon clutched his chest and sank into a chair, taking a moment to compose himself. “Yvette… No, Siren, do you know that James Owens from the National Physics Lab in Betrico has been searching for you?”

He continued, “Mr. Owens is desperate to find you, and even… Forget I said that. But the country needs a mind like yours. You could help advance our nation, make it stronger.”

Yvette remained silent, her expression unchanged. From the moment Simon uncovered her true identity, everything shifted. He could no longer see Yvette as just a student. She had become something much greater in his eyes.

Leaning forward, his tone deeply sincere, he said, “Mr. Owens is eager to recruit you. He said the lab’s doors will always be open to you—whenever you’re ready!” Simon looked at Yvette with intense determination, as if a fire had been lit within him.

Yvette’s gaze fell, and she withdrew her hand from the table. “I’m not interested,” she said flatly.

Simon had learned not to push her; Yvette wasn’t someone to be pressured. Who knew what unpredictable path she might take if he did? He sighed, feeling disappointment settle in his chest.

“Can you at least think about it and give me an answer by tomorrow?” His tone was almost pleading, stripped of any pretense. He didn’t care. After everything he’d gone through to find her, a little humility was worth the risk.

Yvette didn’t respond, but a flicker of irritation crossed her face. Simon pressed on. “I’ll keep your secret, but there’s one person I can’t hide it from—Mr. Owens. He’s getting older, and this search has worn him down. I owe it to him to tell him the truth, don’t you think?”

Just then, a knock on the door broke the tension. Simon quickly composed himself, resuming his usual stern demeanor. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Patrick stepped in, surprised to find Yvette seated on the couch. Ever since the Sky Nimbus incident, he had harbored suspicions about Simon and Yvette's relationship. Why else would Simon have rushed to the police station that day? Something’s going on. What exactly is their connection? Patrick thought, his mind racing.

He gave Yvette a brief, assessing glance before turning to Simon. “Mr. Sunderland, the Lewis Group will meet with you in ten minutes to discuss the talent exchange program for next quarter,” he stated neutrally.

Simon nodded, his mind clearly elsewhere. “Got it,” he replied, waving Patrick away dismissively.

But Patrick lingered just outside the door, curiosity getting the better of him. He heard Simon say, “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

Unable to resist, Patrick moved closer, eavesdropping. The door swung open unexpectedly, and he nearly stumbled into Simon, who stood in the doorway, an icy glare directed at him. “Mr. Williams, is there something else?” Simon said coldly.

Caught in the act, Patrick stammered an awkward laugh. “Oh, I just remembered something, Mr. Sunderland. I was going to knock again. Just wanted to remind you about your trip to Betrico next week… I completely forgot.”

His excuse felt ridiculous, and even Yvette smirked at the absurdity. Her amusement only deepened Patrick’s embarrassment. Why is Yvette so comfortable, sitting there like she belongs, while I, the dean of Argrol University, am standing here being lectured? he thought bitterly. His shame deepened, accompanied by growing resentment toward Yvette.

Simon wasn’t fooled by Patrick’s excuse. Normally, travel arrangements were handled by someone else. With Yvette present, however, Simon held back from reprimanding him. The office was soundproofed, so he wasn’t worried about Patrick overhearing anything important. “There’s no need to concern yourself with that. Leo handles the details.”

Visibly uneasy, Patrick nodded and hurried out. He knew better than to eavesdrop again. Simon had no tolerance for nonsense. Getting caught a second time might cost him his job. The more he reflected on his mistake, the more anxious he became. For days afterward, he avoided Simon.

Once Patrick had left, Simon turned back to Yvette. “About what you said…” But Yvette was already on her feet. Without a word, she left, her long legs carrying her swiftly from the office. She paused briefly at the door before exiting.