Chapter 1675

Unified footsteps sounded, and a team of men in military uniforms appeared at the laboratory doorway. "What the...?" Dashiell exclaimed, turning to Dr. Blanc in fluster.

"Dr. Blanc, what in the hell is this?"

The men's presence underscored the gravity of the situation. Dr. Blanc turned to face them.

"Drs. Stone and Russell, you both signed non-disclosure agreements upon joining. You know the rules. Besides, bickering solves nothing. This is serious. Regardless of the culprit, we will not tolerate such an act in this department!" The X Department was a special division; the military intervened in emergencies. Dr. Blanc himself was a military employee—clearly the one who summoned them.

"Dr. Blanc, I had nothing to do with this! She's trying to get revenge because I doubted her, she resents me! You must investigate thoroughly; I am innocent! That person in the video is not me; I don't know anything about it!" Dashiell argued, his initial confidence crumbling under the weight of the uniformed men's presence. He realized the gravity of the situation and that argument wouldn't suffice.

Someone near Dashiell ventured a weak defense. "Dr. Blanc, given the uncertainty, isn't this… a bit unfair to Dr. Stone?"

Dr. Blanc calmly replied, "Don't worry. We will be fair." He addressed Lily. "Dr. Russell, all your lab mice have died from an unknown cause. The videos you provided are for reference only; their authenticity remains undetermined. This is a serious matter, regardless of whether you made a mistake or someone sabotaged the experiment. Therefore, until we determine what happened, you and Dr. Stone are suspended from lab work."

"What the...?" A commotion erupted.

"So, Dr. Blanc is saying both Dashiell and Lily are to be… contained?" someone murmured.

"Dr. Blanc," Lily said calmly, "I have no objections."

Dashiell started to speak but, silenced by her composure, could not finish. No one dared defend him or accuse Dr. Blanc of unfairness; both were to be suspended, their work halted. The video showed a striking resemblance between Dashiell and the individual in question. It also proved someone besides Lily and Dr. Blanc had entered the lab and tampered with the mice. Whoever it was, the incident terrified everyone. If Lily was the target today, who would be next? Who is this person, and what are their motives? Are they targeting only Lily, or everyone? Or are they trying to sabotage the experiment? Suspicion and distrust now hung heavy in the air.

"Take Drs. Russell and Stone to their rooms. This lab is closed until we resolve this," Dr. Blanc ordered grimly.

Dashiell glared at Lily, snorted, and followed the men from the lab. Lily calmly gathered her belongings. "I'm finished. I'll come with you." Edmund, watching her, seemed on the verge of speaking but only sighed and left.

It took Austin over an hour to compose himself. His first thought was to report the incident to the police.