Chapter 154 Perfect Coordination!
They've climbed to this position, stuck in the middle with nowhere to go, and lost any desire to work properly in the lab ages ago!
Every day after signing in, they'd sneak out to fish or play cards. They never expected their activities would all be clearly recorded!
"You're invading our privacy!"
Alkaid shrugged.
"You were fishing in my pond, and I haven't even charged you yet. You played cards at my place too. Tell me, what did I do wrong?"
After the geniuses from Galactic Aurora Collective came to Tranquil County, they figured since they had time on their hands anyway, they casually leased a few fish ponds and bought some storefronts to run small businesses. Before they knew it, they'd acquired a whole row of shops.
And in the process, they happened to record moments of Caius and Theron out having fun.
"Speaking of which, you still haven't paid for the card games last month, and you need to settle up for fishing at the pond yesterday too. We're just running a small business here. Right, boss?"
"Of course the money needs to be paid."
Catherine looked at the two panicking, frantically trying to shut off the central screen, and let out a cold laugh.
"I came here today to ask Evander—has your lab's security network gotten so outdated that even experimental data gets intercepted?"
Just minutes ago, her personally obtained experimental data had been stolen!
Catherine looked at Juniper, her tone noticeably softer.
"Juniper, have you been providing all the experimental data for Phoenix Lab recently?"
"Yes, me. Those experiments were done by me and my team working day and night, but..."
Juniper's face was pale, and she didn't finish her sentence.
The data had originally been hers, but somehow it vanished overnight!
Her assistant spoke up indignantly, "Juniper hasn't slept properly for a week because of this experiment. She's been eating and living in the lab, and then the data got lost."
Caius fumbled to turn off the central screen still looping the video. Just as he approached the controls, he heard Catherine's cold, calm voice.
"I sent Evander a copy of this video too—high definition, uncut version. As for what's in it, think carefully about what you usually say."
Hearing this, Caius forgot about the video. His legs went weak and he collapsed to the floor!
What had they said?
Of course, besides insulting Juniper, they'd badmouthed Evander plenty too—saying he'd slept his way to the top when he was young, had no real skills, and now probably wanted to keep Juniper as a mistress. They'd said even worse things!
If Evander really saw that video, their careers would be completely finished!
Theron forced himself to stay composed.
"Just because Juniper says she did the experiment doesn't mean she did! You don't have the experimental data!"
Not having the experimental data was Juniper's biggest problem right now.
These two wanted to use this point to force her out of Phoenix Lab, didn't they?
Catherine rested her chin on her hand, looking at Juniper with sparkling eyes.
"Juniper, do you remember your experimental results?"
"Of course I remember, but just having the results isn't much use."
Juniper's face showed a touch of bitter disappointment.
At Phoenix Lab's level, supporting experimental data required tens of thousands of data points as evidence.
Results with too small a sample size or no samples wouldn't be recognized!
Catherine nodded. "That's enough."
"I came because I discovered that data from both Phoenix Lab and our lab was intercepted—by someone on the inside."
Her words left everyone stunned!
Someone inside the lab stole their own people's experimental data?
This would be a huge scandal in the scientific community!
Theron looked at Catherine, his neck stiff.
"You're not even from our lab. What right do you have to make wild accusations here?"
"Whether it's wild accusations or not, you'll know soon enough."
Catherine looked at the big screen behind her and switched the content.
"These two sets of experimental data—one was submitted by Theron, right? I remember I did this experiment half an hour ago and sent it to Phoenix Lab."
Theron looked at the data on screen and quickly compared it with the email he'd received. After confirming it matched, he nodded.
"I submitted it. What's the problem?"
Catherine smiled lightly, her expression contemptuous and commanding, her presence powerful!
"The problem is, the data in the email I sent was fake, and you provided false data. If you really provided the experimental data, you should be able to recognize which result is yours, right?"
"We're all researchers here. Don't you know what results your own experimental data should produce? How could samples Aa and Bb possibly produce C? Are Phoenix Lab's researchers these past two years brainless, or have they just gotten too old and forgotten?"
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Theron's face was covered in cold sweat!
"I forgot, I chose wrong. The other one is my experimental data!"
"Really? You're sure now?"
"I'm sure! The other one is my experimental data!"
Catherine smiled at Juniper. "What about you, Juniper? Which one do you choose?"
Juniper looked at the data on screen, her gaze determined.
"I choose neither. With minimal margin of error, my experimental data couldn't possibly produce either of these results. If this was from my data, the result should be this."
Juniper bent down, thought briefly, and wrote down data on the paper and pen her assistant handed her.
Although this experimental step should have been handled by Galactic Aurora Collective, she mentally verified all experimental steps to ensure the final results wouldn't be wrong!
Juniper displayed her data: "Pretty close. The result should be this. The data this boss provided is all wrong."
Alkaid, standing beside Catherine, looked full of admiration!
Juniper was really something—good material for research. No wonder these people wanted to use dirty tricks to drive her out!
Catherine pulled out prepared experimental data. "What a coincidence—Juniper and I got the same result."
Juniper had been nervous, but seeing Catherine's data matched hers exactly, she breathed a sigh of relief, surprised and delighted!
She'd been worried about offending them. After all, she'd spent so many years at Phoenix Lab always being scolded by Evander for having no emotional intelligence. What if she'd offended the Galactic Aurora Collective boss and they stopped collaborating?
She never expected this boss had arranged everything!
Juniper looked at Theron and Caius, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, her words carrying rare severity.
"I never thought the moles would be you two. I didn't take your little tricks seriously before, but stealing my data, slandering me, trying to smear the lab—this can't just be let go!"
Theron and Caius exchanged glances, both seeing collapse and fear in each other's eyes!
If Juniper really spread this around, their research careers would be completely over. They might even be blacklisted across the entire industry.
"Juniper! We were just confused for a moment. Please forgive us!"
Catherine had no time to watch them cry. She stood up and handed Juniper a prepared document.
"Juniper, we'll need to continue collaborating on future experiments, but take care of your health too."
Juniper nodded gratefully, moved and thankful.
She could tell that the boss of Galactic Aurora Collective Lab had come specifically to back her up!
But why? She didn't even know them.
Noticing Juniper's confused expression, Catherine looked away and said coolly, "Remember to make them settle the money they owe. I've already contacted Evander. He'll handle the rest."
"Okay, definitely. Even if they don't pay, our lab will cover it."
Juniper was still puzzled. Did they really just come to collect money?
How much did Theron and Caius owe?!
It must also be about lab data security, right?
Juniper suppressed her confusion. Why was she starting to think they came for her sake?
That couldn't be right!
Juniper watched Catherine and Alkaid walk out, their special lab coats seeming to glow on them, like real stars in the sky!