Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 398

Phoebe caught on instantly. "Charles Clarke."

Joey looked lost. "Which Charles Clarke?"

Phoebe was already scrolling through her contacts. "Back when the Langford Recovery Center was being established, a director named Clarke participated in the ethics review. His signature appeared on Vivian's torn page, and he's on Langford's old project list. He was later transferred to the City Rehab Association and oversaw a few project reviews before retiring."

Wren added, "He might have meeting materials."

Joey's eyes lit up. "Should we go find him?"

Phoebe dialed the number.

It rang for a long time before someone answered.

"Hello?"

It was an older man's voice, tinged with a hint of wariness.

Phoebe softened her tone. "Hello, Mr. Clarke. This is Phoebe from the Stellaris project team. We met briefly at the City Rehab Association salon."

The other end of the line was quiet for a moment.

"Stellaris? Wren's project?"

Wren looked up.

Phoebe glanced at her. "Yes. We wanted to ask you about something from the past, regarding Project Morning Star Phase II."

The breathing on the other end changed.

It was faint, but audible.

"I'm retired," Charles said. "Old projects are no longer my concern."

"We aren't asking for classified information. We just want to confirm if there was an ethical opinion regarding data outsourcing back then."

Charles stayed silent for a long time.

So long that even Joey held his breath.

Finally, a long sigh came through the receiver.

"Three o'clock this afternoon, at the Concord Activity Center. Don't bring too many people."

The call disconnected.

Phoebe gripped her phone. "He knows."

Wren gathered the documents on the desk into a folder.

"I'll go with you. Joey, stay here at Stellaris."

Joey nodded immediately. "Got it, I'll watch the inbox."

"We attended a few meetings together. She didn't speak much, but every time she opened her mouth, she made a room full of people squirm in their seats."

Phoebe didn't interrupt.

Wren asked softly, "Because of the data outsourcing?"

Charles glanced at her.

"If your investigation brought you here, it seems you've already found something."

Wren pulled out the photocopy of The Heritage Photo.

When Charles saw the words "Do not sign before Project Morning Star Phase II," his fingers froze.

The wrinkles on his face seemed to carve themselves significantly deeper.

"Where did you get this photo?"

"Unit 3 on Changning Road," Wren replied. "My mother's old belongings were moved there, and it was recently emptied out. The photo was jammed behind a shelf."

Charles closed his eyes.

"She really did refuse to sign back then."

Wren's heart crept slowly into her throat.