Chapter 1483

She forgot how she left the hospital, only remembering a dizzying sensation as she looked up at the sun. "The lab, the pandemic, Austin, Professor Thompson… all inextricably linked!" she murmured, wondering if she could unravel it all. "Who is the mastermind? Who wanted me killed? Who wanted Professor Thompson dead? What happened to Austin?" The laboratory, she concluded, was at the heart of it all.

Taking a deep breath, she entered a car and instructed the driver, "Take me to the research institute." They arrived shortly.

She stood before the familiar yet alien building, hesitant at the gate. The unknown lay ahead, and danger felt palpable. Yet, it was the only place to find answers. She narrowed her eyes and tried the access code, but it was wrong. She checked again, meticulously, but the system still rejected it.

Just then, the gate opened, and a man peered out.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

His face was unfamiliar.

"I work at the lab, and I'm trying to get in," Lily said frankly.

"You work here? I've never seen you," he replied skeptically, eyeing her. "The passcode is wrong. You can't enter."

Lily started to speak, but the gate clanged shut. "They changed the passcode, and even the guard," she thought. "How much has happened while I was gone? It hasn't been that long!" Her suspicion about the laboratory deepened.

She stepped back, gazing at the building. "Not long ago, I was a key member, greeted by everyone. Now, I can't even get through the gate. How ironic."

A vehicle approached. Lily turned to see a car pulling up nearby. Simultaneously, the gate swung open again. Squinting, she saw a woman inside. Long, curled hair framed a competent, striking face; oversized sunglasses and red lips completed the look.

"Please step aside," the woman said, glancing at Lily.

Lily didn't feel she was obstructing the woman's path; the entrance was wide enough. Still, she sensed an air of self-importance about her.

"Do you work at the lab?" Lily asked.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" the woman asked, raising an eyebrow. Despite the sunglasses, Lily perceived her impatience.

"Something happened to Professor Thompson. I'm here to inform the lab," Lily said, watching her closely.

The woman's gaze sharpened. After a brief pause, she asked, "What happened? And who are you?"

"I'm Lily Russell," Lily replied.

"Professor Thompson had an accident… he's passed away. The police can't contact his family, so I wondered if anyone at the lab could help with… his remains," Lily explained.

The woman slowly removed her sunglasses. Her narrow, striking eyes met Lily's. "So you're Lily Russell!" she drawled.

Lily was taken aback. The woman leaned over to open the passenger door. "Get in the car. We'll talk inside."