Chapter 266
Sophia Sullivan approached.
They both looked up at the same time.
Their eyes were like lost children finally finding their family.
Hannah Morse rushed over.
Her eyes instantly reddened.
Marcus Lawrence followed behind her.
His fists were clenched tightly.
Sophia's heart sank.
She remained calm. "What happened? Why aren't you inside?"
"Sophia..." Hannah's voice choked with emotion. "We're locked out!"
"Locked out?" Sophia was stunned.
"A surprise inspection team showed up yesterday. They said it was a random fire safety check..."
They cooperated and opened the door.
The staff walked around inside and out a few times.
Finally, they handed over a rectification order.
It demanded they vacate within one week.
Hannah trembled with anger. "The lab next door had an inspection last week. It was just a formality. Why do we have to rectify?"
The new lab had just been set up.
The CPRT Dynamometer was just activated.
Could it really be gone just like that?
Sophia asked calmly, "Where are the keys?"
Marcus replied, "Director Blake took them. He said we need to go through a self-inspection process."
Sophia took out her spare key.
She opened the door and went inside.
The two followed her.
Sophia offered them bottled water.
Hannah shook her head. "Sophia, 'rectification' is just a disguised eviction. Are we going to lose this place?"
Sophia reached out her hand. "Let me see the order."
Marcus retrieved the rectification order from a drawer.
Sophia quickly scanned it.
There were two issues listed.
Missing fire safety equipment.
Improper electrical usage.
Her gaze sharpened.
These hazards did indeed exist.
But every lab in the entire institute was short on equipment.
Why were they the only ones inspected?
The electrical issue was even more ridiculous.
The instruments were in standby mode, not completely powered off.
Hannah felt wronged. "We're right here. We use the instruments at anytime. Cutting the power is completely unnecessary."
Sophia stood up. "Let's check across the hall."
Hannah was confused. "What does the lab across the hall have to do with us?"
Marcus pulled her along. "Don't ask. You'll see when we look."
The three walked to the lab opposite theirs.
Fire safety equipment was fully stocked along the wall.
Hannah's eyes widened. "They didn't have any of that last month!"
They checked several more labs.
All were fully equipped.
Only their lab was excluded.
A chill ran down Hannah's spine. "Is this targeted at us?"
Sophia gave a cold laugh.
She directly took them to find the Vice Dean.
Blake Cunningham recognized the three of them.
Especially Sophia Sullivan.
The genius student with the first-author paper in "Science".
He smiled warmly. "What can I do for you, Miss Sullivan?"
Sophia got straight to the point. "Our lab received a rectification order. Are you aware of this?"
Blake nodded. "I am. Is there a problem?"
"Why is our lab the only one in the entire institute missing equipment? And why were we the ones randomly selected for inspection?"
Blake frowned. "What are you implying?"
Sophia looked directly at him. "If something happens in the lab, the institute is liable. You wouldn't create trouble for yourself. But someone else might be setting a trap behind the scenes."
"When that happens, we'll all fall into the pit together."
Blake's expression shifted slightly. "What are you suggesting?"
"I suggest you investigate whether these coincidences are truly accidental or deliberately orchestrated."
Having said that, she led the others away.
Blake sat in his chair.
He was silent for a long time.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Come to my office... Now!"
...
Hannah was still confused. "Sophia, I still don't understand..."
Marcus glanced at her. "Why were only we inspected?"
Hannah looked blank. "Why?"
"Because someone reported us."
...
Blake stared coldly at the woman before him.
His voice was icy as he demanded, "Was it you?"