"Laziness," James nodded, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "I just don''t feel like moving."


    Sam easily picked up on the half-hearted response. Though a bit disappointed, he didn''t push it.


    After all, he knew his nephew had a good head on his shoulders. If the weapon couldn''t be mass-produced or improved, there had to be a reason.


    "Alright, I get it," Sam said, waving his hand dismissively.


    James grunted in acknowledgment.


    "By the way, have you heard from your dad recently?" Sam switched gears.


    James sighed and shook his head, a resigned look crossing his face. "He''s always been elusive, always on the move. My team lost track of him ages ago."


    Sam''s lips twitched in annoyance. Even though Emmitt was his brother, he couldn''t help but wonder how James could be so nonchnt about his father''s whereabouts.


    James, catching onto Sam''s thoughts, added with a hint of disdain, "He''s as slippery as an eel. Finding him would take a miracle."


    Shaking his head, James nced at his watch. It was gettingte. He put down his coffee cup and stood up. "I''ve got to go, Uncle. Anything else?"


    Sam checked the time too. "How about joining me for dinner?"


    James raised an eyebrow, his reply casual, "Nah, I''ve got ns." Sam: "..."


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that the kid was getting a bit too cocky.


    "Just go!" Sam grumbled loudly, reaching for his phone to arrange dinner, only to find there was no signal.


    That was weird; there shouldn''t be a signal issue here.


    Just as James was about to open the door and leave, Sam called out, "Wait,


    didn''t you have someonee over to fix the wifi?"


    James looked up, "Hmm? What about it?"


    "Is it fixed?" Sam asked again.


    James took out his phone, checking for a signal. Nothing.


    With a slightly furrowed brow, as if struck by a thought, James opened the door and quickly left without another word.


    Watching him hurry off, Sam scratched his head in confusion.


    **


    James took the elevator straight down to the seventh floor, his handsome features set in a serious expression.


    Upon returning to the control center, he noticed the tech team was still busy, but Mirabe and Curtis were nowhere to be seen.


    Kyle, spotting James, quickly came over and greeted him respectfully.


    James''s gaze was icy as itnded on Kyle. "Where are they?"


    Kyle, not daring to meet James''s eyes, replied with his head bowed, "Your friend went to the restroom and... hasn''te back yet. She was with Mr. Curtis."


    Hearing this, James''s expression remained unchanged, but the chill around him intensified. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "What did you have her look up for you?"


    Kyle''s hands, clenched at his sides, were sweaty. "We... we just looked up an IP address."


    After speaking, Kyle felt an oppressive cold envelop him.


    He risked a nce at James and hesitated for a moment before adding in a low voice, "Carter stopped by earlier."


    At the mention of Carter, James''s brow furrowed slightly, but then he turned and left the control center without another word.


    As soon as James was gone, Kyle''s tense nerves rxed, and he leaned against


    a nearby table, his legs still trembling.


    Talking to him felt like standing in an ice cer-utterly terrifying.