Chapter 214
Hannah Morse didn't know Alexander Laurent.
She also didn't know his relationship with Sophia Sullivan.
But no matter who he was.
Nothing could stop her urge to vent.
Lunch ended.
The three returned to the lab.
Hannah planted her hands on her hips and sighed. "What's the use of a big space? Cleaning it is a nightmare..."
Before she could finish.
"Excuse me, is this C116?"
Two cleaning ladies stood at the door.
Holding cleaning supplies.
"...Huh? Yes, who are you looking for?"
"Then this is the right place! Let's get to work."
The other lady quickly responded.
They began cleaning with efficient movements.
Hannah blinked. "Ma'am, are you sure you have the right room?"
"Of course. The Dean's Office notified us to clean C116."
The Dean's Office?
Hannah and Sophia simultaneously looked at Marcus Lawrence.
Marcus shook his head.
He didn't have that kind of pull.
"Who called them? We didn't tell anyone. Whatever, having help cleaning is a lifesaver..."
Hannah pulled over a chair and sat down.
She tore open a bag of chips.
Offering some to Sophia and Marcus.
Sophia took one.
But her mind wasn't on the snack.
She had a guess about who was behind this.
Was this his way of making up for not being able to help earlier?
It really wasn't necessary...
Hannah nudged Marcus's shoulder. "Why aren't you eating?"
Marcus: "Watching my weight."
"...Starve then!"
...
School of Life Sciences office.
Blake Cunningham wiped cold sweat from his brow.
His smile was strained.
The man opposite him remained expressionless.
He cautiously probed, "Mr. Evans, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit today...?"
"You don't know why I'm here?" Sebastian Evans sneereded. "Did the equipment donated by Helios Technologies go to the dogs?"
Blake's face fell. "What do you mean by that?"
Although he held the title of Vice Dean.
The School of Life Sciences had twelve Vice Deans.
Each managed their own area.
He was responsible for fundraising.
This position could be lucrative if played right.
Crumbs from entrepreneurs could fill you up.
But it was a different story if you messed up.
Blake thought he had a decent relationship with Sebastian Evans.
They laughed and talked at dinner parties.
Why today...
"Did we do something wrong? Please, tell me. I will definitely improve!"
Sebastian sneered. "How dare I offer opinions? The school's resources can be distributed however you want. Bully whoever you want."
"This is a misunderstanding!" Blake cried out in grievance. "We are always fair and just. All resources are allocated according to regulations. No favoritism."
"Really? But I heard someone is hogging a lab. Not using it themselves, and not letting others use it either. Originally, it was none of my business. But what was said when Helios donated the CPRT Dynamometer?"
"To create a fair experimental environment for every student. To contribute to scientific research. To fight for humanity's future."
"Now it's the complete opposite. The instruments I donated are not decorations. Nor are they bargaining chips for某些人 to fight over resources. Think carefully about this."
Sebastian enunciated each word clearly. "This concerns whether Helios will continue providing funding and resources in the future."
Blake's expression changed dramatically. "No, no, no! Let's discuss this properly!"
His mind raced.
Sebastian was clearly here to warn him.
The problem lay with the CPRT Dynamometer...
"Mr. Evans, rest assured. I understand your meaning. We firmly oppose academic misconduct. We will deal with it seriously."
Sebastian's expression softened slightly. "Director Cunningham never disappoints. That's why, out of all the school's leadership, you're the only one I'm willing to work with."
"Thank you for your high regard, Mr. Evans."
Sebastian stood up and left.
Blake personally saw him out.
Once the shadow disappeared.
His smile instantly collapsed.
Returning to his office.
He immediately called the Dean's Office. "Check the borrowing status for the CPRT Dynamometer lab."
The person on the phone paused. "One has always been used by Professor Lowell's team. The other... was just approved for Caleb Watson."
"Caleb Watson? Isn't he on Victoria Lowell's team?"
"Yes, I was also puzzled. They already have one, why apply for another? Professor Watson's graduate student also came to borrow it, but was a step too late..."
"Eleanor Watson also applied?"
"Yes, one right after the other."
No wonder!
Blake thought Eleanor Watson had used her influence to get Sebastian Evans to back her.
"Release that lab. Caleb Watson is being utterly ridiculous!"
He didn't mention Caleb's backing by Victoria Lowell.
"Okay."
Blake just hung up the phone.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
His office door was pushed open again.
The sweat on his forehead hadn't dried yet.
He forced another smile. "Professor Laurent! What brings you here? Please, have a seat."
Alexander Laurent didn't want to waste words.
He got straight to the point.
"School regulations clearly state: malicious hoarding of public resources is not allowed. Malicious rivalry between teams is not allowed. Director Cunningham should know this better than I do."
Blake's heart sank.
You've got to be kidding me.
Again?!
...
The two cleaning ladies worked quickly.
They cleaned the entire lab within an hour.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"You're welcome! It's our job!"
The ladies packed their tools and left.
To facilitate cleaning.
Some lab equipment was temporarily placed in the hallway.
Not much.
The three of them could move it back in a few trips.
"Well, if it isn't Professor Watson's prized student?"
A voice came from nearby.
The three turned.
Shane Holloway and Ashley Lowell stood not far away.
One wore a smirk, eyes full of mockery.
The other watched with arms crossed.
"So this is the lab you applied for? Let me see... Tch, all junk? Not a single decent instrument. Wasting such a big space."
Ashley lifted her chin. "Shane, what nonsense are you talking? The school's best equipment is all with our team. What good stuff could they possibly have?"
Shane: "A fine horse deserves a fine saddle. Inferior horses should just be淘汰ed. A waste of resources to keep them around."
Sophia smiled. "If you want to be livestock, don't drag others into it."
Hannah: "Yeah, refusing to be proper people, insisting on being horses. Tch, what were they thinking..."
"You—" Shane choked on his anger.
Ashley frowned. "All talk! Let's see how long you can keep up the bravado!"
Hannah pursed her lips. "Then keep your eyes wide open. Better protect those eyeballs, don't let them pop out."
Ashley sneereded.
"Talk is cheap. If it were useful, you wouldn't be moving your own stuff. Shane, let's go."
Shane scoffed. "Bumpkins! Serves you right for not getting a lab! Want to use the CPRT? We won't give it to you. Got the money to buy your own?"
Marcus: "Okay."
Sophia nodded. "We can do that."
Hannah: "Next-day delivery. Remember to come see it tomorrow."
Shane looked like he'd eaten something disgusting. "You're all sick! Completely insane!"
Buy one?
Did they think a CPRT Dynamometer was cabbage?
The next day.
The instrument passed by the academic building.
It was delivered to the lab by specialized personnel.
Among the crowd of onlookers.
Shane and Ashley could no longer laugh.