The meeting room fell silent.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat.

She instinctively glanced at Julian and lowered her voice. "Julian, from the last gathering, it was clear James and Evelyn are close. Is he here to speak up for her and ask Vance Group to go easy?"

Julian immediately stiffened his jaw.

He spoke to the person outside the door. "Please escort Mr. Klein to the R&D department's meeting room. I'll see him after we finish here."

The person outside replied, "Understood."

Just as they were about to leave, a deep voice suddenly spoke. "Let him in."

Everyone turned to look.

Alexander Vance had spoken from the observer's seat.

Julian quickly said, "Uncle, James is Dr. Nan's assistant. I don't want this matter to become public, lest Dr. Nan think our company disrespects him. It's better not to let James in."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

She had overlooked this.

She hadn't expected James to be barred from the meeting.

But she wasn't worried. Once she revealed her identity, they would have to call James in to confront her.

After all, only James had seen Dr. Nan in person.

As she was thinking, Alexander spoke again. "James is here at my invitation."

Evelyn: ?

She turned to him in surprise.

The man's expression was calm, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.

If she didn't know the truth, she would have thought James was really invited by him!

Alexander glanced at Thomas after speaking.

Thomas immediately understood and walked out.

He couldn't help but glare at Evelyn again.

A femme fatale!

The boss was actually covering for this woman.

He just hoped James would be convincing enough to intimidate everyone and prevent the boss from ruining his reputation with this blatant protection.

Soon, James followed Thomas in.

He looked travel-worn, carrying a suitcase, clearly having come straight from the airport.

His eyes first landed on Evelyn.

He coughed. "Traffic was bad, so I'm late."

Evelyn gave a slight nod.

Thomas, anxious, cut straight to the point. "Mr. Klein, are you here to tell everyone that you gave Dr. Nan's plans to Miss Evelyn?"

If James admitted it, this matter would be over.

After all, the evidence from Linda wasn't direct.

The boss could then strongly protect her with a justified reason.

As Thomas thought this, James spoke in surprise. "No! Why would I give Dr. Nan's designs to someone else?"

Thomas: ???

He was instantly full of questions, staring at James in disbelief.

He cursed inwardly: This scumbag! Did he come here just to distance himself from Evelyn?

He was shaking with anger.

This playboy was indeed unreliable.

Everyone else in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Isabella had clenched her fists nervously when James entered, but now she relaxed.

Julian said, "Mr. Klein, are you here today because you heard about the theft of Dr. Nan's plans and came to observe? Don't worry, Vance Group will definitely give Dr. Nan an explanation!"

James's expression turned playful.

He smiled. "Yes, yes. You must clear my boss's name!"

After saying this, he swaggered to the observer's seat and sat down next to Vice President Clark.

When no one was looking, he winked at Evelyn.

Evelyn: "..."

Vice President Clark greeted James. "Mr. Klein, I've long heard of you. Our university has always wanted to hire Dr. Nan as a mentor. Could you convey our sincerity?"

James sighed. "That depends on how today's matter is handled..."

Vice President Clark paused.

Dean Mitchell immediately said, "Don't worry, we won't protect a student who stole Dr. Nan's plans. We will definitely expel her!"

Vice President Clark tightened his jaw, growing more displeased.

Not only had Vance Group not found Evelyn guilty yet, but even if she were, expelling a student required a school meeting discussion. How could he make such a promise outright?

It felt like he was trying to curry favor.

He had no integrity.

James's eyes turned cold, his tone sarcastic. "Expulsion? Shouldn't a school protect its students as much as possible? Why distance yourselves at the first sign of trouble?"

Dean Mitchell found this strange, as if he was being criticized. "Evelyn's mistake is too severe..."

"Oh? What mistake did she make?"

"She stole Dr. Nan's plans..."

James retorted, "Do you have evidence?"

Dean Mitchell pointed at Linda. "This is her mother. She admitted it herself. There's also surveillance footage of her mother stealing the plans from Miss Isabella's computer..."

"Is that so? Is that what Miss Isabella said?"

Isabella had been trying to downplay her role in this, but now that James had named her, she had to step forward. "That's correct."

Isabella looked at Linda. "Aunt Linda, this is Dr. Nan's assistant. If Dr. Nan doesn't pursue this, I think Vance Group won't either..."

Linda immediately understood.

She rushed to James and knelt down, kowtowing. "Mr. Klein, please forgive Evelyn. She didn't mean it..."

Julian quickly stepped in front of her. "Please don't do this..."

Linda cried, "I'd do anything to help Evelyn, even kowtow! Evelyn, admit your mistake, I'm begging you!"

"Anything?"

Evelyn finally spoke, her voice calm and measured. "I'd be grateful if you just stopped slandering me."

Linda choked, then cried even harder. "Evelyn, I'm not slandering you. I just can't hide it anymore!"

Julian angrily said, "Evelyn, why are you so stubborn?"

Dean Mitchell added fuel to the fire. "Miss Evelyn, how can you say that? What mother would slander her own daughter? You're talking nonsense!"

He then looked at James, as if to prove his point. "Mr. Klein, you see? This girl lies without hesitation. And this isn't the first time. She often skips classes, leaves early, and I've heard she stays out all night. Expelling her is only right!"

"Is that so?"

James said with a mocking smile, "But as far as I know, Dr. Nan never gave Miss Isabella any plans! So how did this kind, pure mother manage to steal them?"