Sophie crossed her arms, looking down at him. “What complaint?”

“Don’t play dumb! Every other lab passed the fire inspection, but Miranda’s lab got a violation notice. You dare say you had nothing to do with that?”

Sophie smirked. “I’m busy. Between writing reports and papers, I don’t have time to pick fights with kids. But whether or not anyone else has something against them… that I wouldn’t know.” After all, she had plenty of students, and it wasn’t unusual for one or two to dislike Miranda’s group, right?

“You’re getting bolder by the day,” Joseph snapped. “Acting on your own without consulting me first. Do you even respect me anymore?”

Sophie frowned. “You called me here just for this? What, are you going to stand up for Christine’s students now? That’s not like you, Mr. Banks.”

Joseph let out a cold laugh. “You think your little tricks are clever? They’re idiotic!”

He added, “This fire inspection was carried out by both the college and the district fire department. If you push Miranda’s group around in private, I don’t care. That stays within the walls. But this time, you dragged the entire college into it with one phone call!” The lab received a violation notice, so the college was also at fault for oversight. Normally, the college had the responsibility to ensure that all labs were up to safety standards before students were allowed to use them. The fact that an issue was found reflected poorly on the administration.

Joseph continued, “Still think you’re smart now? What do you think the other deans will say when they find out?”

Sophie’s face faltered slightly.

“I’m covering for you this time, but stop causing me problems!” Joseph warned.

Sophie’s confidence faded, and she hesitated. “So… what do we do now? Can we smooth things over with the district fire department?”

“Do you think the fire department works for you? You can’t just report a violation and then take it back!” Joseph scolded.

“So, we do nothing?” she asked, unsure.

Joseph replied coldly, “The violation notice has already been posted. Let them fix the issues according to the fire department’s requirements.” The damage was done, and the only choice was to see it through. As for dealing with Sam and Paul, the fire department had issued the violation, and Sophie had made the report. No one could blame Joseph for this.

A sly smile crept across his face, and Sophie followed suit.

Fire safety corrections? That would take at least three to five months. By then, the damage would be…