Chapter 189

Morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains. Evelyn Langley stood at the laboratory entrance holding two steaming breakfast bags. She had taken a detour to buy soy milk and buns from the breakfast shop Adrian Klein frequented.

The metal door slid open. Adrian emerged wearing a lab coat, his sleeves rolled up to reveal well-defined forearms.

"Morning." Evelyn handed him the food. "Hope it's to your taste."

Adrian accepted the paper bag, warmth from the soy milk cup seeping into his palms. "Thanks. Perfect timing—I skipped breakfast."

They entered the lab side by side. The sterile scent of disinfectant mingled with the hum of operating equipment.

"First, fingerprint registration." Adrian guided her to the security system. "You'll have 24/7 access now."

Evelyn pressed her thumb against the scanner. Blue light swept across her fingertip.

"The lab never closes." Adrian input his authorization code. "Come whenever it suits your schedule."

She nodded. Between preparing her thesis proposal and reviewing Professor Eleanor Roland's research materials, her time was stretched thin.

"This is the main lab." Adrian pushed open a glass door. "I've prepared a safety checklist."

Evelyn pulled out her notebook, meticulously recording each protocol. Glassware on the test tube racks refracted splintered light under the lamps.

"We currently have four team members—"

Before he could finish, a burly figure emerged from the breakroom. The man held a thermos where goji berries bobbed in hot water.

"Adrian, who's this?" Vincent Macmillan adjusted his glasses, his gaze settling warmly on Evelyn.

"Evelyn Langley, a friend." Adrian kept the introduction brief. "Professor Macmillan, from the Basic Physics Department."

Evelyn gave a slight bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Professor."

Vincent waved dismissively. "No need for formalities." He glanced at the wall clock. "The others should arrive soon."

By nine o'clock, the lab buzzed with activity. Natalie Blanchet arrived first, her ponytail swinging as soundless sneakers carried her across the floor.

"New recruit?" She set down her backpack and retrieved a tablet. "Natalie Blanchet, Applied Physics."

Evelyn noticed the tablet's wallpaper featured a young boy wearing a red scarf.

Oliver Lancelot burst in with coffee stains dotting his lab coat hem. "Finally finished processing the data!" Wiping sweat, he spotted Evelyn. "Whoa, fresh blood in our group?"

He reached for Evelyn's bag but froze under Adrian's warning glare.

The click of high heels approached as the glass door opened again.