The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 453

Late that night.

Ethan was shocked to discover that, despite the late hour, the lights in the gym were still blazing.

A certain man was inside, sweating profusely as he worked out.

Ethan couldn't hold back his curiosity.

"Boss, why are you working out in the middle of the night?"

The man's face was a mask of pure competitive determination.

"Abs."

"What abs?"

"Eight-pack abs."

Ethan scratched his head, utterly confused.

"Don't you already have an eight-pack?"

"I've been slacking lately. Haven't been to the gym as much. I'm worried they aren't defined enough."

Ethan leaned in and poked him with a finger.

"How is this not defined? How much more defined do you need them to be? Boss, did something trigger you?"

The man didn't answer.

He simply added another twenty pounds to the barbell.

...

The next day at noon.

Jocelyn specifically sought out Sarah for lunch.

Sarah looked visibly upset.

"Alright, Sarah, who ruffled your feathers this time?"

"No one," Sarah muttered. "Just tired from writing code."

Jocelyn glanced at the monitor.

It was the final programming phase for the robot they were entering into the competition.

Jocelyn had already completed the most crucial core component.

The rest had been handed over to Sarah and the team.

Jocelyn suddenly realized what might be going on, but kept it to herself.

"Come on, let's go hit the cafeteria."

"I don't have much of an appetite. I think I'll pass."

Jocelyn teased her.

"Saving room for a massive feast tonight?"

Sarah paused.

"What massive feast tonight?"

Jocelyn was momentarily taken aback.

"Liam didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Jocelyn was even more surprised now.

"He called us yesterday to say he was heading back to his family estate. Julian is throwing him a farewell dinner and specifically asked him to let you know. He didn't say anything?"

A sudden knot of irritation tightened in Sarah's chest.

Seeing the awkward tension in the room, he offered an olive branch.

"Look, Sarah, Julian is throwing this farewell dinner for me today. Even if you're mad at me, just do it for him. Let's not ruin the mood for everyone else."

He poured a glass of wine and walked over to her.

"How about I apologize? Whatever happened, it's all my fault. Deal?"

Sarah ignored him completely.

She refused to accept the olive branch.

Frustration immediately flared in Liam's chest.

"You're not even going to give Julian some basic respect? Aren't you..."

"Liam!" Sarah suddenly snapped, her voice cutting through the room.

"Are you ever going to drop it!"

Liam stared at her, completely bewildered.

What did he do now?

He was only going to say, "Aren't you always talking about how much you admire Julian's leadership?"

He hadn't even said anything wrong.

Then, Liam's brain connected the dots, and he realized what she thought he was going to say.

Dammit!

"Sarah! I seriously suggest you get your head checked by a psychoanalyst. Are you really this paranoid?"

Sarah instantly regretted her outburst.

For a split second, she thought Liam was going to announce something that would humiliate her.