Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 47: Blocking Her

The assistant was at a loss for words, unsure what to say, and could only return to report.

The vice president’s expression was just as indescribable upon hearing the assistant’s report.

He didn’t have much interaction with Thea Lynch; she usually communicated directly with Mr. Cheney. She’d only contact him if Mr. Cheney was unavailable.

Taking deep breaths, the vice president couldn’t help but remark, "Is Foreman Lynch always this humorous?"

The assistant gave a dry chuckle, his expression said it all.

"No worries, big shots tend to be a bit quirky, it’s understandable," the vice president reassured himself.

There was no choice; Mr. Cheney had privately reminded them numerous times to be more tolerant and patient with Thea Lynch, to control their tempers, because she didn’t respond well to tough approaches.

Initially, he thought Mr. Cheney was exaggerating. Lynch seemed like a well-behaved young lady.

But now he had to thank Mr. Cheney. It was a good thing he had prepared them. Otherwise, dealing with someone so challenging, his blood pressure would genuinely skyrocket.

In the lab, Thea Lynch was completely unaware of what was happening outside. She didn’t take the assistant’s words to heart. Foreman Chandler and the others rushed up from downstairs after hearing the news.

Besides Thea Lynch, everyone from the R&D department was lined up at the door, waiting for the VIP’s arrival. As the elevator numbers changed, everyone held their breath in anticipation.

"Please, Mr. Preston, this way." As the elevator doors opened, the vice president’s fawning voice could be heard.

"This is our R&D Division One, the most important department of Stratus, without a doubt. Currently, Division One has two teams, each handling key projects for the company."

The vice president gestured for the LX Capital team to enter the division.

Scanning the crowd that had been waiting, the vice president began the introductions: "This is Mr. Preston from LX Capital, who has come specifically to visit our R&D department today."

"Hey, Foreman Chandler," the vice president beckoned energetically at Foreman Chandler, "come introduce Mr. Preston."

Turning to Ian Preston with a smile, he added, "Mr. Preston, this is our R&D Division One leader. He’s familiar with this place and will guide you through the tour."

Foreman Chandler was still in a dazed state, cautiously glancing at the man opposite him. Isn’t this Ian Preston? Lynch’s brother!

He stammered a greeting, mechanically leading the way, "Mr. Preston, this is our Division One laboratory..."

Hesitating, Foreman Chandler didn’t open the door, apologetically explaining, "You can only observe from the entrance, we cannot go inside." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The vice president, standing behind Ian Preston, kept signaling with his eyes, leaving Chandler no choice but to say, "That’s the rule, outsiders aren’t allowed in. Especially during visits from external personnel..."

The vice president cursed under his breath. "Who made that rule? I wasn’t informed!"

Indeed, the rule barring outsiders existed before, but this external personnel restriction... seemed a bit too targeted.

Foreman Chandler stayed silent, until someone quietly responded from the crowd, "Foreman Lynch made the rule ten minutes ago."

The vice president: "..."

Both sides were formidable and not to be trifled with. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the vice president decided to preserve Thea Lynch’s side for now.

After all, Ian Preston and Mr. Cheney were friends. If they offended this gentleman, Mr. Cheney could handle it himself.

"Mr. Preston, I sincerely apologize. Please understand. Our Foreman Lynch, she’s a recent recruit, an esteemed returnee doctorate, and currently the team leader of our R&D Division One."

"Um, she’s not targeting anyone specifically, please don’t overthink it. She... well, has a profound respect for science, and is meticulous. You know, geniuses often have a small quirk, right? A bit of a unique character or small compulsions, understandable. This lab of hers, even Mr. Cheney can’t get in usually. It’s definitely not against you, uh, yes."

The vice president’s brain was quickly churning; he himself wasn’t sure what he just spouted, but it didn’t matter.

Whether Ian Preston believed it or not, he didn’t.

After his explanation, Foreman Chandler quietly gave a thumbs up. "Your ability to spout nonsense is truly impressive, no wonder you’re the vice president."

The vice president gave him a stern look and was about to lead Ian Preston elsewhere.

Unexpectedly, the gentleman had no intention of leaving, acting as if he hadn’t heard the vice president, and asked, "Isn’t Foreman Lynch here?"

Ian Preston scanned the crowd, not seeing the person he was looking for.

"Ah," the vice president didn’t expect this question. He couldn’t say Lynch deliberately didn’t come, "Foreman Lynch had something come up and isn’t in the R&D department right now."

"Really." Ian Preston glanced at the firmly closed door.

His tone was light, leaving the vice president struggling to interpret his meaning, "Shall we visit some other areas first?"

"Hmm."

Ian Preston didn’t insist, turning to leave. The vice president breathed a sigh of relief and jogged to catch up.

——

"Foreman Lynch! Foreman Lynch!!!"

Once they left, Foreman Chandler hurriedly went to report to Thea Lynch.

"Have they left?" Thea Lynch asked casually, focused on her work.

"Just left," Foreman Chandler came closer. "Do you know who came today?"

"I didn’t know at first, but I saw the company chat messages just now."

"Then why didn’t you let Mr. Preston in for a tour?"

"Isn’t this the lab’s rule? Outsiders aren’t allowed in, what’s it got to do with me?"

Foreman Chandler: "..." Speechless.

"But why would Mr. Preston come visit us out of the blue, is there a new project?" He pondered, analyzing, "I haven’t heard anything prior to this."

"Foreman Lynch, do you know anything?"

Of course, Thea Lynch knew why Ian Preston was here. Inspection was nonsense; with Stratus having Silas Cheney, they hardly lacked funds or channels. Why would they need Preston’s investment?

Clearly, he was here to confront her, coming up with any excuse he could find.

She’d been in the lab all morning, not noticing her phone. Upon checking, Ian Preston had called her early on, and sent WeChat messages. But feeling guilty, she played dead, pretending not to see.

Silas Cheney, too, had called incessantly like a bombardment.

"I’m not really sure," Thea Lynch said, removing her gloves and walking out with Foreman Chandler, chit-chatting along the way, "Maybe he was just passing by, or had some free time."

Just as the two stepped out of the laboratory, they ran into Ian Preston and others returning unexpectedly.

The situation became incredibly awkward, especially for the vice president, whose expression was quite a spectacle.

"Oh, Foreman Lynch is here? I thought you’d gone out, hahaha."

Thea Lynch: "..."