Chapter 433 Matthew Explanation

Claire strode into Cryptonic’s sleek, glass-lined halls, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floors. She was expecting to see Matthew—or at least hear his familiar voice grumbling about work deadlines—but his office was eerily empty. The blinds were drawn, and his usually cluttered desk sat untouched, with a thin layer of dust betraying his absence. “Where is he?” she muttered under her breath, frowning. Deciding not to jump to conclusions, Claire turned on her heel and headed to her own office. Once inside, she plopped into her chair and immediately dialed Sandra. The phone barely rang twice before Sandra’s chipper voice answered. “Good afternoon, Ms. Peterson! How can I help you?” “Sandra, is Matthew at Metacortex? I haven’t seen him here,” Claire asked, leaning back and fiddling with the pen on her desk. Sandra paused, sounding slightly hesitant. “Matthew? Oh, no, he hasn’t been at the office for a few days now.” Claire’s brow furrowed deeper. “He hasn’t? Why not?”