I couldn’t stand their nonsense any longer and snapped, “Bulwark Group evaluates investments based on the strength of a research institute’s talent, not on contributions measured by singing and dancing.”
Professor Laird, livid, shoved me so hard I stumbled and fell to the floor. “Asshole! You dare talk back to me? Today it’s a rat you poison, tomorrow it’ll be your colleagues! How can I allow someone as radical and unstable as you to remain here, endangering the institute? I’ll report you to the dean!”
The three of them were clearly in cahoots and I shouted back, “Do you even hear yourself? You’re twisting right and wrong!”
Professor Laird’s face darkened, her voice dropping into a growl. “You refuse to see your mistakes. Then you’ll pay for them.”
At her slight nod, Xaviera lunged forward, yanking my hair and slapping me hard across the face. “You killed Sissy and you dared to destroy her memorial? Today, you’ll pay your respects in mourning clothes!”
Pain shot through my scalp, but I gritted my teeth and clawed her hand away. She sneered and tore at my clothes, exposing me. “Red underwear? Really? On Sissy’s death anniversary? You must be mocking her on purpose! From now on, you’ll wear black and mourn for her properly!”
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway and fear rooted me in place.
Xaviera yanked the curtains down and hurled them at me. “You’re only fit to wear this today!”
When I dodged and refused to comply, she kicked the door wide open, exposing everything inside. “Everyone, come and see! Heidi’s being punished for poisoning small animals. She’ll mourn here for seven days and seven nights!”
Countless curious eyes turned toward us. My hands trembled as I hastily pulled the curtain over my body.
Xaviera only sneered. “Bitch! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t wear it just now? Do you realize your mistake now? If you admit you were wrong, bow three times to Sissy.”
Bow to a mouse? Impossible. Humiliation burned through me and my voice quivered. “You barged in and wrecked my lab, how is that my fault?”
Xaviera rolled her eyes with scorn. “Why don’t you just claim the whole building is yours?”
“It was indeed donated to me,” I answered honestly, but my words only drew another round of laughter.
Professor Laird’s face twisted in disgust. “How many times have I told you, these are public resources! Do you really think this is your private home?”
Zack shook his head, feigning helplessness. “You’ll never change. Being tied to you is the greatest embarrassment of my life.”
Xaviera’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Since you refuse to admit your mistakes and still insist all this belongs to you, then you killed my Sissy, you’ll need to pay for it!”
A wave of dread washed over me.
Sure enough, Xaviera let out a mocking chuckle, lifted one of the instruments and raised it high as if to smash it onto the floor.
My eyelids twitched and I cried out, “Stop! These are imported precision instruments, the cheapest costs over a million! Even if you had the money, it wouldn’t matter. Do you understand the consequences?”
But Xaviera only sneered, brushing off my warning. “Heidi, stop acting so pretentious! Every lab has equipment like this. Who are you trying to fool?”
I forced myself to stay calm, though my heart was lodged in my throat.
