"They say -but keep it between us- Mr. Qui has been blackmailed by someone these past few days. Can you believe that?"
"Hah, who could possibly be crazy enough to drive that old devil mad?"
"I don't know, but it means he had something to be afraid of... and this time I guess he really got himself cornered."
When Le An pushed the half-open door, interrupting the researchers' chat, both of their faces drained of color.
"Ah? Le An! Did you need something, or are you in pain?"
Le An pointed at the soup stain on the collar of his lab coat.
"I need a new coat."
"Right away!" One of the researchers stood and moved toward the door to leave, brushing past Le An.
The other one pressed his sweaty palms against his thighs and scratched his chin as he asked Le An,
"Um… I suppose you heard what we were saying."
"…" Le An looked at the blushing researcher and nodded. This conversation explained why Mr. Qui had been so unusually furious yesterday.
