Chapter 650 Disregarding Image

Chapter 650 Disregarding Image

Sawyer got word that the fugitive Royce, whom they'd been chasing for what felt like forever, had finally been caught. 

He bolted down the hallway, not caring one bit about how he looked.

"Man, I can't believe you nailed it so easily!" he exclaimed when he found Zoey.

Zoey dodged his attempt at a high-five. "No need to get all worked up."

"Alright, I know you're not into the whole touchy-feely thing," Sawyer said with a grin. "But I need to talk to you. Can we chat in my office?"

Zoey glanced over at Francis.

Catching the hint, Francis said, "My job here is done. I'm out."

"I owe you dinner sometime," Sawyer called after him.

Once Francis left, Zoey followed Sawyer to his office.

The office was bright and spacious. Sawyer poured Zoey a glass of water.

"Take a seat. We need to discuss something important."

"No need, I'm in a rush. Just tell me what's up."

Sawyer got straight to the point. "So, a few days ago, a friend of mine called. They've been feeling pretty lousy lately. Turns out, after a hospital visit, they found out they have a genetic disease."

Sawyer sighed, looking genuinely bummed out.

"A good person, now stuck in bed because of this disease. I heard your mentor, Dr. K, is working on some special medicine. So I was wondering... could you get me some after the trials?"

Zoey's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do you know Dr. K is working on a special medicine?"

"I have my ways."

"Then I suggest you double-check your sources. The research institute hasn't announced anything about a special medicine. Speculation and spreading rumors are a big no-no."

Zoey picked up the glass of water, staring at it.

Sawyer was confident. "No way. My source is solid; it can't be wrong. I know this is hush-hush, and I won't spill the beans. You can trust me on that."

"Did Dr. K tell you this?"

"No, not directly."

Sawyer had tried to meet Dr. K, but the person was too elusive. Every interaction had been with Dr. K wearing a mask, and he still didn't know what Dr. K looked like.

Whenever it involved Dr. K, he always had to go through Zoey.

"So, without Dr. K's direct confirmation, how can you be so sure?"

Sawyer was momentarily thrown off, especially seeing Zoey's half-smiling expression. He felt a flicker of doubt.

Her tone was too confident.

And she was Dr. K's apprentice, the one with the inside scoop. Could it be that Dr. K wasn't actually working on it?

The thought crossed his mind briefly, but Sawyer quickly reaffirmed his belief. "My source is rock-solid. If Dr. K hasn't announced it, it means the research isn't ready for trials yet. Dr. K is just being cautious, not that my info is wrong."

This strange certainty puzzled Zoey.

He seemed very sure of his source.

"Can you tell me where you got this information?" Zoey took a sip of water, watching Sawyer's suspicious expression. "Don't worry, I won't leak it. I'm just curious. Dr. K is my mentor, and I don't know about this. It makes me curious."

"Promise to keep it secret."

Sawyer confirmed several times, and after Zoey nodded, he spoke mysteriously. "Where do you think I got such reliable information?"

He didn't spell it out, but Zoey got the hint.

From the lab.

There's a mole.

"I see. I'll ask my mentor about it when I get back."

"Thanks, I'll treat you to dinner another day."

Zoey left the police station and headed straight back to the lab. Juliette and Ruben were deep into the final stages of the H5 drug.

Zoey joined the research with Dr. K.

After two days and nights of relentless work, on the third morning, Zoey led the team out of the lab.

Juliette and Ruben looked exhausted but couldn't hide their excitement.

It was finally done.

"I'll inform the entire research institute of this good news."

Next, they would report to the higher-ups and get approval for trials.

This would be a groundbreaking achievement.

But Zoey stopped them. "Not yet. We can't announce it now."

"Why?"

"Our lab has a mole. I need to catch them."

"A mole?" Ruben was puzzled. "What do you mean? Where's the mole? How do you know?"

Zoey replied calmly, "I have my sources. You just need to cooperate. Announce that the H5 drug research has encountered a major issue and shut down all related experiments and data."

Though confused, Ruben and Juliette knew Zoey never spoke without reason. Every action she took had a purpose.

They cooperated without question.

Juliette arranged for the closure of all H5 drug labs, while Ruben gathered all the institute's professors and members to announce the major issue with the H5 drug.

The professors, who had been eagerly awaiting the H5 drug trials, were deeply disappointed.

Other researchers, unfamiliar with the H5 drug, were also regretful and puzzled after hearing Ruben's explanation.

Ruben addressed the crowd with a solemn expression. "Regrettably, the H5 drug has encountered a major issue. All data must be sealed, and researchers involved will be reassigned."

His words caused a stir, and the crowd was anxious.

Ruben hurried away after speaking, further confirming the seriousness of the issue.

Professors returned to their offices, and Zoey was there.

"What now?"

"Wait."

Ruben was confused. "Wait for what?"

Zoey looked through the glass at the crowd below. Many researchers and professors were concerned about the H5 drug issue.

But Dr. K's office was guarded by security, and no one could enter without permission.

They could only wait downstairs.

Ruben glanced down, too. "How long do we have to wait?"

"Until the mole reveals themselves."

The method seemed simple but effective.

The person behind this wanted the H5 drug and had someone monitoring the situation. If the H5 drug had issues, they would get the news first.

Someone had to relay the information.

Zoey sat at her desk, typing on her computer for about 10 seconds. The screen displayed surveillance footage.

Not just one, but all the footage from the office building.

Ruben was amazed. "That's impressive."

Zoey remained calm. "I believe the mole will relay the news immediately. Now we watch for any movement."

"Whoever it is, once I catch them, I won't let them off!"

Ruben clenched his fists tightly.

He knew the importance of the H5 drug better than anyone. 

It needed trials, but leaking information before completion was harmful to the institute.

Many were watching the institute, and if someone targeted the H5 drug, the consequences would be dire.