Chapter 411

"What is that?"

"It looks like imported lab equipment!"

"See those foreigners? Must be the installation technicians."

"I thought this lab was always empty?"

"Must be a new project starting..."

The hushed whispers around made Shane Evlanch's expression darken.

Audrey Escent pushed to the front, her pupils contracting as she stared at the gleaming new machine.

It was indeed a CPRT Analyzer—but clearly an upgraded model.

Its size had been reduced by a third, with the control panel now fully touchscreen.

The display was significantly larger than their current lab models.

"Is...is this the latest CPRT model?!" Shane's voice cracked.

He stormed forward. "Where did you get this?"

Evelyn Langley lifted cold eyes. "None of your business."

Hannah Flores nibbled a cookie, smiling sweetly. "You told us to figure it out ourselves. Now that we have the equipment, shouldn't you be happy for us?"

Shane was speechless with rage.

Audrey shook her head. "Impossible. There's no way to acquire one this quickly."

Liam Kalmien adjusted his glasses. "Ever heard of pre-orders?"

"No..." Audrey paled.

Equipment this expensive couldn't just be purchased on a whim.

But worse humiliation awaited them.

That afternoon, the university website posted a disciplinary notice:

"Disciplinary Action Regarding Graduate Student Victor Dimucci's Unauthorized Lab Usage"

...

Crash!

Prof. Beatrice Merouin's teacup shattered on the floor.

She marched into Benjamin Aldridge's office, glaring down at him. "You disciplined my student without consulting me?"

Benjamin remained calm. "This was a faculty committee decision, following protocol."

"Spare me the bureaucracy!" Beatrice sneered.

"Professor Merouin," Benjamin's eyes narrowed, "if not for your reputation, more than just Victor would be penalized. Did you really think the faculty wouldn't notice your little schemes?"

Beatrice froze.

"Sacrificing one student to protect you was already leniency."

The words deflated her completely.

In the dorm room, Victor Dimucci stared blankly at the disciplinary notice on his screen.

Zachary Omelas hovered nearby, hesitating to speak.

"They actually bought the newest CPRT model?" Victor suddenly asked.

Zachary blinked. "Huh?"

"Let's go see." Victor shut his laptop.

"But..." Zachary glanced at the disciplinary notice, conflicted.

The lab hallway had quieted.

Evelyn's group was gone, leaving only foreign engineers calibrating the equipment.

After obtaining permission, Victor and Zachary entered.

"It really is the upgraded version..." Victor's eyes lit up.

His hand twitched toward the controls before he caught himself.

Though Zachary didn't understand the machine's significance, Victor's focused gaze told him everything.