She broke the dream of everyone in the office who was about to successfully gloss over the situation, her laughter tinged with mockery.

Her voice carried a hint of sarcasm and coldness, her deep, unfathomable eyes swept over everyone in the office one by one.

"So, are you not going to give me an explanation?"

Her words successfully plunged everyone into silence on the spot.

Even Violetta Hoffman didn’t expect Nathalie Quinlan to be so straightforward!

She silently walked to the girl’s side and stood shoulder to shoulder, her stance clear—she chose to stand by Nathalie Quinlan!

Hansel Kingsley felt awkward to leave, turned around, and looked at the girl with extremely complex eyes: "What kind of explanation do you want?"

His aged face, unsupported by the passage of time, appeared angular, and he exuded a powerful aura.

Ordinary people would have been terrified facing Hansel Kingsley, unable to make any demands.

But Nathalie Quinlan faced him as if nothing had happened, meeting his gaze: "She slandered and defamed me for no reason, so you don’t need to apologize?"

Zevaney Kingsley’s heart tightened instantly, but she reacted quickly, adept at handling things, and walked up to the girl, bowing her head in apology: "Nathalie, I’m sorry. I came to find you without having understood the situation. Next time, I will make sure to understand things clearly before speaking."

This apology was no different from not apologizing at all.

It was superficial.

Lacked any weight.

Hansel Kingsley was satisfied, however, satisfied with Zevaney Kingsley’s quick reaction and knowing how to bring matters to a satisfactory resolution.

He looked at Nathalie Quinlan with a serious expression, calm in demeanor, and asked again: "Are you satisfied now?"

He thought Nathalie Quinlan should be satisfied!

After all, Zevaney Kingsley had already bowed and apologized.

Smart people know when to quit while ahead, especially since Nathan Garland was also involved in this matter. Even if Nathalie Quinlan doesn’t give face to the Kingsleys, she ought to give some to The First Research Institute.

Who knew.

The girl merely went back, picked up the phone she had shown them before, and returned under everyone’s gaze, giving Hansel Kingsley no face at all: "You mean her apology? Not satisfied."

The veins on Hansel Kingsley’s neck bulged, obviously annoyed at her repeated defiance.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and asked rhetorically: "So what do you want? Do you want the institute to dismiss Zevaney?"

Is she truly going to go against the family?!

Zevaney Kingsley is currently the best off among the new generation of the Kingsleys in the institute, with a future full of possibilities.

The Kingsleys had also invested a lot into nurturing her.

Even if Zevaney Kingsley isn’t of the direct-line descent, Hansel Kingsley, in this situation, would choose to protect Zevaney for the family’s interests.

"Nathalie Quinlan, I advise you to think things through and not act solely on impulse."

These words were both a reminder and a threat.

But Nathalie Quinlan was unfazed by threats.

Those who knew her personality knew that Nathalie Quinlan responds better to a soft approach. Hansel Kingsley’s threat was like adding fuel to the fire.

Sure enough.

The girl casually curled her lips, her delicate face displaying rebellious and flamboyant expression, directly stating: "I want her to publicly apologize to me and my team members." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Zevaney Kingsley’s expression changed slightly, discreetly clenching her fist.

Given her status, a private apology was one thing, but a public face slap was quite another.

The Kingsleys’ status wouldn’t allow her to bow her head publicly!

However, Zevaney Kingsley was smart. Despite her inner reluctance, she didn’t take the initiative herself but looked at Hansel Kingsley in difficulty.

She made the right bet.