Their gazes stabbed into him like needles. Disdain, mockery, disgust. To them, he was no longer a colleague or even a person, but something filthy, like a cockroach crawling out from the gutter.
Steven didn't dare to meet anyone's eyes. He lowered his head and forced his way through the crowd, his heart pounding wildly. At this moment, he no longer cared about dignity or face. All he wanted was to hide back home, curl up in a corner, and think about what he should do next.
After Steven fled in disgrace, Clifford walked over to Ryan and patted him heavily on the shoulder. He let out a light laugh, half relieved and half amused. "Not bad, kid. Your skills have improved again. Good thing you reacted in time today. Otherwise, my old bones would've suffered, and worse, my face might've been ruined."
He shook his head, clicking his tongue. "If this really got out, those old fellows would laugh at me in meetings for years."
