Chapter b7 /bA Little Shock to p Them Awake

b“/bPlease don’t argue because bof /bme,” bReba /bsaid with tears shimmering in her eyesb, /ba picture of soft- hearted innocenceb. /bb“/bbIt’s /bball /bin the bpast/b. I’m not going to hold a grudge. Let’s just bfocus /bon our research from now on.”

Micahb, /bstill feeling a little guilty, was instantly filled with protective rage.

He immediately turned to scold Scarlett. “You didn’t used to be like this. You’ve gotten more and more unreasonabletely. It’s only because Reba is so kind that she hasn’t made a fussb.” /b

He added, “Professor Miller is here today too. Just apologize to Reba in front of everyone, and we’ll let the whole thing go.”

Scarlett nearlyughed out loud from how absurd it was.

The senior she’d gone above and beyond to support – was clearly blind, and apparently had his brain

scrambled too.

“Apologize? I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would I apologize? Try shaking your brain into ce before leaving the house.”

Calvin had initially held out some hope. If she could admit her mistake, he was willing to give her another chance.

But now, seeing how unrepentant she was, his anger red even higher.

“You’re saying you did nothing wrong? Fine. Let’s take a look at your experiment. If things are as they say, then pack your things and get out of my team!”

She had entered the university as the state’s academic champion. Even as an undergrad, Calvin had taken notice and given her a special cement in theb.

She had always remembered his mentorship fondly.

So even now, though Calvin’s attitude was harsh, she didn’t defy him.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Her tone was calm, as if she already knew the oue.

Everyone froze. That’s when they remembered a fact:

Since joining theb, Scarlett had filed several patents each year. She had even upgraded the affiliated hospital’s medical systems and earned a reputation across campus.

Developing a cancer treatment… wasn’t out of the question.

Reba clenched her fists tightly, panic shing in her eyes.

She knew Scarlett’s capabilities better than anyone.

If Scarlett was thisposed, the mouse trial results had probably already shown significant breakthroughs.

Thankfullyb, /bafter seeing James earlier bthat /bmorning, she had already made arrangements.

bAs /bScarlett brushed past her on the way to theb, she had thrown her a mocking look.

Scarlett paused and gave her a quiet, unreadable smile in return.

For some reason, Reba’s heart gave a hard jolt.

Was she scared? Did Scarlett know?

No

–

impossible!

“Reba, let’s go with her. Don’t worry, we’re all on your side,” Micah said, patting her shoulder gently.

Seeing how pale she looked, he figured she must be hurting over having to confront Scarlett like this.

“She’s the one who did wrong. Don’t let it weigh on your conscience.”

Reba took a deep breath and adjusted her expression.

“Yeah, I know. Thank you, Micah.”

“We’re like a big family. You’re close to my heart

—

no need to thank me.”

As they chatted, the group arrived at the far corner of theb.

Compared to the mainb, the conditions here were harsh.

The walls were unfinished concrete. There was only a single exposed bulb overhead. The space barely measured four or five square meters, and with oneb table inside, it could hardly hold more than two or three people.

Calvin frowned the moment he stepped inside.

If Scarlett really was the kind of self–serving maniptor they imed, how could she willingly work in a ce like this?

As they walked over earlier, he had actually assumed Scarlett had set up her experiment in his office next door.

Since he traveled a lot, that office was empty most of the year.

This setup made him start doubting the usations.

“Professor Miller, I was the one who put her here,” Micah stepped forward to exin.

“At the time, she kept insisting she hadn’t done anything wrong – just like now. As the senior here, I gave her this space to reflect.”

He continued, “I probably should’ve stopped her from continuing her experiments altogether. But we’ve worked together for years. I couldn’t bring myself to cut her offpletely.”

“And instead of being grateful, she doubled down – and kept hurting Reba.”

bAs /bhe bspoke/bb, /bhe bnced /binside the room.

bAlready /bfamiliar with the space, he bwasn’t /bsurprised by the size bb/b.

“This ce looks like it bwas /bransacked…”

-but was stunned by the condition of the

Inside, papers were scattered all over the floor. Bottles and beakers had been knocked off the worktable. The cage that housed theb mice had fallen to the ground – its door wide open. The mice were gone.

“What happened here? Who’s been in this room?”

“Wait, hold on. To verify the truth, we only gave the keys to Scarlett.”

Micah furrowed his brow,pletely lost.

Reba forced a pained smile.

“There are a lot of stray cats on campustely. One of them probably got in and messed up the ce. Since the mice are gone… let’s just forget it.”

She turned to Calvin with pleading eyes. “Professor, please – let Scarlette back to the mainb. This ce really isn’t fit for experiments. She must’ve learned her lesson by now.”

That statement snapped everyone to attention.

Micah stared at Scarlett in disbelief.

“You let the mice go just to destroy the evidence? You know how unstable they are during trials! If they mess with the local ecosystem, can you take responsibility for that?”

iThe /irest of the group immediately piled on with criticism.

Calvin’s face darkened further. “Scarlett, I always thought you were a quiet, insightful student. I didn’t think you’d waste your intelligence on underhanded schemes!”

His fist mmed into the doorframe. “ndering your peer. Trashingb equipment. Releasing liveb mice. You’ve crossed every line there is! I wish I’d never taken you as a student!”

The final thread in Scarlett’s mind snapped.

That was the moment their teacher–student bond shattered.

She’d simply yed her part in this story too seriously.

A bitter smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

And suddenly, no one dared meet her eyes.

Her voice broke the silence, icy and sharp.

“First – whoever sabotaged myb, I will hold them responsible. This won’t end until one of us is gone.”

She raised her phone, already on bthe /bchip’s control interface.

“…Like thisb./bb” /b

Her fingers

–

slender and pale as porcin pressed the green button.

Her smirk deepened.

The next moment-

A childish voice echoed through the room: “I’m here! I’m here!”

Everyone’s eyes widened as they turned toward the sound.

It came from Reba’sb bench.

Inside the cage on top…

Was the mouse she’d imed had already taken the cancer drug.

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