"Good evening, Doctor Crosby," he greeted the woman as he entered the apartment complex, the entrance doors sliding shut behind him as she stood from the bench she'd waited on.
"Doctor Sivana," she returned the greeting, her gaze dropping to the floor when she moved to his side. Thaddeus swiped his card, opening the next door for her. She walked through, pausing for him at the elevator.
"So," he began as they stepped inside, "what was bothering you about the Project?" She didn't look at him, shame coloring her cheeks as elevator lurched upward. "Doctor Crosby?"
"It's-" the woman ran a hand through her hair, still avoiding his gaze.
"Lynn," he softened his voice, trying again. "What is it?"
"I'm so sorry," she murmured, shaking her head. "I shouldn't be bothering you like this, especially after-" she shifted in discomfort, "after what happened. But I, I can't hide this anymore." Hide this? What on Earth was the woman talking about? The elevator doors slid open, and Doctor Crosby stepped through, making her way towards his room.
"Doctor Crosby!" He followed after her, frowning at the woman as he reached out to unlock his door. She stepped inside, her gaze fixed on the floor as she made her way into his living room. He shut the door, following after her. "Lynn, could you please just tell me what this is about?" She turned hard on her heel, pulling an envelope out from the pocket of her lab jacket and holding it out to him. He took it from her, turning it over in his hands as she crossed her arms and began to pace across the living room floor. "What is this?" he asked.
"It's," she took a deep breath, letting it out, "it's my letter of resignation." He stared at her, blindsided.
"What?"
"I'll no longer be working at Sivana Industries," the woman told him. She held a hand up, stopping him, "don't worry, I won't go to any of your competitors, but I just, I can't work there anymore.
"Why?" he asked, thinking over his past interaction with her. She hadn't given him any signs that this was coming, why was she doing this? "Is this because of what happened to my father and Sid? The police are investigating-"
"It's not about them!" The doctor cut him off, her hands clenching tightly as she turned from him. "It's about me!" She shook her head, her hair swishing with the gesture. "I should've never watched that damn video! I thought there'd be nothing on it, that I-" Her shoulders hunching, the woman covered her mouth. Thaddeus reached out, taking the woman by the shoulder. He turned her towards him, her delicate features twisting in distress.
"Lynn, tell me what's wrong!" She pulled back, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry," the woman apologized, "I'm just so sorry. I tried so hard, but-"
"Just tell me!"
"I think it's real!" she yelled at him.