Chapter 652 Adventure
Chapter 652 Adventure
"You know, you're their kid, but you're not a judge or a marriage counselor. First and foremost, you're your own person, then a son or daughter," Zoey said.
Everyone was born as themselves. You gotta figure out who you were before you can be anything else, like a child, a lover, a friend, or a parent.
"Besides, has your dad's love for you changed since the divorce?"
Fitzgerald couldn't answer right away. He thought about it and realized that since his parents split, Ruben had actually been more lenient with him.
Ruben would pretty much say yes to anything he asked for.
Even though Fitzgerald's temper had gotten worse, Ruben never really scolded him.
Before the divorce, Ruben had always been the strict one, quick to get on his case whenever he messed up.
His mom, on the other hand, was the nurturing one, which was why Fitzgerald didn't want Ruben to leave her.
"He feels guilty about the divorce, so he's making up for it by being super nice to me. But that doesn't make the hurt go away."
"Fitzgerald, I didn't think about your feelings when I decided to divorce. You can be mad at me, but you can't drag the institute into this."
Ruben had just realized how deeply Fitzgerald resented him.
He always thought the divorce was just too much for Fitzgerald to handle, causing his emotional instability and erratic behavior.
So Ruben tried to be as accommodating as possible; even when Fitzgerald messed up, he would only give mild reprimands.
"You're always at the institute. It's what you care about the most."
Fitzgerald's logic was simple.
To make Ruben suffer, he had to destroy what Ruben valued most.
"Enough!"
Ruben had reached his limit. He realized he had spoiled Fitzgerald too much. "You were wrong this time. When you're wrong, you have to admit it and face the consequences. I won't cover for you. You'll be punished as you deserve."
Fitzgerald sneered, holding back his anger.
"I know you won't cover for me because the institute is more important to you than I am."
Ruben couldn't argue with that. "You still don't get it."
"What don't I get?" Fitzgerald shot back, stubbornly.
"Dr. K, I'll handle this," Ruben said, not wanting to continue the argument in front of others.
Zoey nodded.
"Alright, Juliette will take over the H5 project. She and I will handle all the publicity and interviews."
"Fine."
Ruben had always taken pride in the success of the H5 project. He had hoped to personally oversee the interviews, but now he had to let go.
He felt a mix of regret and frustration towards Fitzgerald.
"Come with me."
Fitzgerald looked defiant, "Fine, let's go."
"Leave your phone behind."
Zoey's words made Fitzgerald clutch his phone protectively, "Why should I leave my phone? It has my private information!"
But Ruben didn't need Zoey to say more. He forcibly took Fitzgerald's phone and placed it on the table, then dragged him out of the room.
Fitzgerald resisted but couldn't bring himself to physically fight his father, so he was pulled out.
"Dad!"
His voice faded as the door closed.
Zoey unlocked the phone using a hacking program to bypass the fingerprint and password locks.
The phone was cluttered with apps, but the chat and call logs were the most important.
Luckily, he hadn't deleted them.
The frequent chats were with a contact using a female avatar.
The avatar was blurry, adding a creepy vibe.
There were tons of messages.
Zoey scrolled from the latest message to the first one.
They had met online, with the woman initiating contact. Her conversational skills were impressive.
Each message seemed to hook Fitzgerald, drawing him into more conversations.
Eventually, they grew closer.
Fitzgerald appeared to have fallen for her.
The woman skillfully manipulated him, eventually asking for information about the institute.
Whether blinded by his hatred for Ruben or genuinely in love, Fitzgerald agreed.
The latest message was from the previous night.
Fitzgerald: [Don't worry, I'll keep you updated on any new developments at the institute.]
The most recent call was to a contact named "Moon."
Zoey hit redial.
The phone rang three times before it was answered, but there was silence on the other end. Zoey leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the table, as if they were testing each other's patience.
Only the sound of breathing came through the phone.
Finally, Zoey spoke first.
"Irene."
"How did you know it was me?"
"To deceive someone so thoroughly through social media and a single phone number, only you could pull that off."
Their chat logs contained no flirtation, just ordinary conversations, but Irene had played a psychological game with Fitzgerald.
She quickly learned about his past and weaknesses, then exploited them.
Fitzgerald never stood a chance.
"If you want information about the institute, why not ask me directly?"
Zoey stood and walked to the window.
"You wouldn't tell me."
"Not necessarily. We're partners now, even if we haven't been in touch for a while. I haven't forgotten."
Irene chuckled, "If I told you the person seeking this information isn't me, would you believe it?"
"Of course, you don't have that kind of illness."
"His condition is worsening."
"The H5 project succeeded," Zoey said.
Irene was surprised, "You just told me? You used to feed me false information."
She had realized the truth from Zoey's tone.
"You said the patient isn't you. I think we both want to see his condition deteriorate."
Zoey's words were loaded with meaning.
Irene didn't argue, "You're right. So, what do you want me to do?"
"Tell him the truth."
Irene was shocked, "Are you sure? If he knows, you might lose the H5 project."
Given his personality, he would stop at nothing to get the drug.
His methods were ruthless.
Zoey replied calmly, "I'm not afraid of his actions, only his inaction."
An enemy in the shadows is hard to fight.
But once the information is out, he will reveal himself.
"You really are daring."
Irene genuinely admired Zoey.
Facing such an enemy, Zoey still chose to take risks.
"Without risks, life isn't worth living."
Zoey preferred to take control, increasing her chances of winning.