After achieving a major breakthrough in scientific research, I began preparing to pursue further studies abroad.
The research institute at my university repeatedly urged me to stay, even offering me an honorary professorship.
Out of consideration for old ties, I agreed on the condition that they build a laboratory worth hundreds of millions of dollars within the institute.
When the lab was finally completed, I went to inspect it, only to be stunned.
The entire room was draped in white gauze and wreaths, while delicate instruments lay scattered carelessly on the floor.
Then, a dead mouse rested right in the middle of the sterile table.
Suppressing my nausea, I reached out to throw the carcass away. But a junior suddenly rushed out, blocking my way. “What are you doing to Sissy?”
Still forcing down my disgust, I asked coldly, “This is my lab. Why is it full of this nonsense?”
She flew into a rage. “Your lab? Zack said this room is my lounge! Show some respect, this is Sissy’s funeral hall! He has to spend the last seven days of his life here! If you don’t like it, then just put up with it!”
I sneered and immediately called my boyfriend, Zack Gilbert. “Who gave you the right to turn my laboratory into a funeral hall for a dead mouse?”
——
Zack’s cold voice came from the other end of the line. “Wait.”
Then he hung up.
Xaviera’s eyes glimmered with contempt. “So you’re the old woman who keeps pestering him so shamelessly. Do you really think he’ll listen to you?”
The anger I had been holding back flared up instantly. “Who are you calling shameless?! You’re the one who ruined my equipment!”
These instruments had been shipped from overseas at enormous cost. Every time I used them, I had to wear gloves and handle them with extreme care, just to keep their precision intact.
Now they had been tossed to the floor like worthless junk and my heart ached as if it were bleeding.
Xaviera rolled her eyes in disdain. “I’m talking to you, you pathetic hag clinging to him! I haven’t even blamed you for this pile of junk cluttering up the room and yet you’re the first to complain.”
I was shaking with rage. “This is my lab. Why wouldn’t my instruments be here?”
She scoffed, nudging another instrument with her foot. “Who do you think you are? Do you really think you deserve this? Zack only let you borrow the place for two days and you actually treat it like it’s yours?”
I frowned, ready to fire back, when the door was suddenly flung open.
Before I could speak, Xaviera hurried forward, looking pitiful and clung to Zack’s sleeve. “Zack, she told me to get out. She said this is her lab. And Sissy… my poor Sissy… I’m already heartbroken and now this woman…”
Zack’s face darkened and the next moment he roared at me, “Don’t be so difficult! How dare you bully a junior? What do you mean by ‘your lab’? Is your name written on it?”
Then he turned to Xaviera and ordered coldly, “Xaviera, use it however you want. This place is perfect for Sissy’s funeral. If she doesn’t like it, just throw her out! Who told her to? She’s the one with bad habits!”
With someone backing her, Xaviera’s expression turned smug. I hadn’t expected Zack to be so brazen and I tried to argue. “Zack, are you even being reasonable? It’s clearly—”
Before I could finish, Xaviera suddenly stepped forward holding the dead mouse. “It’s all my fault, Heidi. I apologize… on Sissy’s behalf.”
The moment the furry body brushed against me, my scalp prickled in disgust. I screamed and shoved it away. Xaviera’s eyes instantly reddened as her precious pet was pushed aside.
