Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Corley finally relaxed a bit, "Director White never lets anyone down. That's precisely why, out of all the heads and leaders at the institute, you're the only one I'm willing to discuss collaborations with."

"Your confidence in me, Mr. Sullivan, is flattering," Director White responded with a humble tone.

With that, Corley stood up to leave.

Babur personally escorted him to the door, waiting until the man's figure had completely vanished before the smile on his face fell.

Back in his office, he immediately grabbed his phone and called the academic affairs office, "Check the recent lending records of the two labs where we placed the CPRT analyzers."

The person on the other end hesitated for a moment, "One of them has been consistently used by Ms. Edna's team, and the other... was just approved for Carlson."

"Carlson? Isn't he part of Edna's team?"

"Yeah, I was puzzled too. They already had one, why apply for another? It's a shame, Ms. Payne's three grad students also tried to borrow it, but they were too late..."

"So, Madeleine also made a request?"

"Exactly. It happened one after the other."

No wonder!

Babur assumed Madeleine had the clout to bring Corley into backing her up.

"Release that lab. This Carlson is just causing trouble!"

He didn't even bother to mention Edna who was backing Carlson.

"Alright."

Just as Babur ended the call and breathed a sigh of relief, his office door was pushed open again.

He hadn't even had the chance to wipe the sweat from his brow before he was putting on a smile again, "Mr. Reynolds! What brings you here? Please, have a seat."

Owen cut straight to the chase, "If I'm not mistaken, there's a clear rule in the school's regulations that prohibits the malicious monopolization of public resources and toxic competition between teams. Director White, being at the head level, should be more aware of these regulations than I am." Babur felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

Not this again?!

The two janitors worked efficiently, and in less than an hour, had the lab sparkling clean.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You're welcome, you're welcome! It's our job!"

With that, they packed up their things and left with smiles.

To make cleaning easier, some of the lab equipment was temporarily moved to the corridor. Fortunately, it wasn't much, and the three of them managed to move it back in just a few trips.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ms. Payne's three star pupils?"

A voice came from nearby.

Turning their heads, they saw Slater and SybikMoore standing not far off, one with a smirk full of mockery and derision, the other with arms crossed, looking on as if it were none of their business.

"What's this? The lab you guys applied for? Let me see... Tsk, tsk, it's all junk? Not even a decent piece of equipment, what a waste of such a big space."

Sybil lifted her chin slightly, laughing,

"Slater, what nonsense are you

talking about? The best equipment in the entire institute is with our team, did you really expect them to have anything good?"

Slater agreed, "Exactly, good horses deserve good saddles. As for the nags, it's better to just get rid of them. Keeping them is just a waste of resources."

Roseanne chuckled, "If you prefer to be animals, don't drag others down with you."

Mamie added, "Exactly, so keen on being horses, tsk, makes you wonder about their brains..."

"You" Slater was too angry to speak.

Sybil frowned as well, "Stubborn to the end! Let's just see how long you can keep it up!"

Mamie smirked, "Then please, keep your eyes wide open, but be careful not to let them pop out."

Sybil scoffed.

"If talking big did the trick, you wouldn't be here struggling to move stuff. Slater, let's go."

Slater sneered, "A bunch of country bumpkins! Didn't get the lab and you deserve it! Want to use the CPRT? We won't let you, go buy one yourself if you're so capable!"

Scales replied, "Sure."

Roseanne nodded, "Sounds like a plan."

Mamie added, "Free shipping, next-day delivery, don't forget to come check it out tomorrow."

Slater's face looked as if he had swallowed a bug, "Crazy! Every single one of you, seriously sick!"

As if a CPRT was as common as cabbage, readily available for anyone to just pick up.

However, the next day, as the equipment was escorted through the academic building and delivered to the lab, Slater and Sybil, standing among the onlookers, suddenly couldn't find their laughter