Chapter 188
The press conference began. Josephine walked onto the stage. Everyone below looked at her—countless eyes fixed on her. Josephine couldn't distinguish the emotions in their gazes.
But she could feel the malice and schadenfreude. Most people were waiting to watch her spectacle unfold.
Before she could speak, someone asked, "Ms. Kennedy, you previously said you'd give us a satisfactory answer at the press conference. It seems you've already thought of a solution, correct?"
Josephine nodded. "Correct."
"Then what is your solution?" This was the same reporter who had blocked Josephine at the entrance earlier. "I believe you owe us an explanation. You've dragged this out long enough. If you keep stalling today, should I assume your company never planned to resolve this matter at all? Are you trying to let it slide? But your AI medical project has already sent a volunteer to the hospital. Next, will you harm more people?"
"Why the impatience? I am about to provide you with an answer,” Josephine replied, her composure unwavering. She had prepared herself for confrontation, and her expression reflected a quiet confidence. "Actually, we've investigated the cause and effect thoroughly. It was our oversight. We failed to triple-check the organized data, which led directly to this unfortunate event."
The reporter immediately seized the critical information. "Then who was responsible for the problematic data?"
Josephine narrowed her eyes.
Below the stage, Emma gasped. The reporters had finally asked the most crucial question.
Whoever was responsible for the data would bear responsibility.
Kenneth lowered his eyes thoughtfully. In the deathly silence, he spoke. "It was me."
However, these words didn't come from just one person.
They came from two mouths.
Kenneth met Josephine's gaze. Josephine had never imagined Kenneth would step forward.
The reporters were also momentarily confused. "So which of you two was actually responsible for this data? As I understand it, Ms. Kennedy is the supervisor, so this gentleman is...?"
"I'm the deputy supervisor." Kenneth walked calmly onto the stage. "The data error was my fault. I'm willing to take full responsibility."
"Don't talk nonsense."
Josephine frowned and rebuked him. "Things aren't at all as he's saying. He wasn't responsible for this data set. I was the first person to know about the data error. I should have addressed it, but the company needed to investigate thoroughly before assigning blame."
She glared at Kenneth. "Get down."
Kenneth stood his ground. "I understand the supervisor's desire to protect her employees, but a mistake is a mistake. I can't let you take responsibility for me."
His words had a double meaning.
Josephine glanced imperceptibly at the reporters below and lowered her voice. "Kenneth Garner."
She was angry.
Kenneth smiled. "It’s been a while since I’ve heard you use my full name. I sort of miss it."
He was an, introverted guy who rarely spoke. Even when he messed up, he’d just keep his head down without a word. Josephine, on the other hand, was his total opposite.
Back when they both worked under Oscar, coming in and out of the lab every day, Josephine had scolded him constantly.
"Kenneth Garner, are you an idiot?"
"Kenneth Garner, you're driving me crazy!"
But after that, he never heard such lively scolding again. Kenneth smiled. "You can’t protect your employees forever. When you mess up, you have to face the consequences."
He stepped to the table and took hold of the microphone, effectively preventing Josephine from intervening. “I admit the data error was my fault. I’m ready to take full responsibility for this. No matter what the punishment is, I won’t try to avoid it, and I’ll genuinely take time to reflect on myself."
Below the stage, Emma was in tears, wiping her eyes on Aiden's sleeve. "This is so moving..."
Aiden felt uncomfortable too. "This makes the two of us look really disloyal..."
A reporter asked, "Ms. Kennedy, is what this deputy supervisor said true?"
"Of course—"
"Ms. Kennedy," Kenneth cut in, interrupting Josephine. His back faced the reporters—those behind couldn’t see his expression, but Josephine could, and in his eyes was a trace of pleading. "Your contributions to the lab are plain for all to see. You're the backbone of all of us. Your ability and commitment are unmatched. Please do not blame yourself for this incident—it has nothing to do with you. I believe even without me, you'll definitely be able to lead the lab further and further."
He was using the lab to remind Josephine.
She couldn't have problems, couldn't resign, couldn't leave.
Once she was gone, the lab would be finished. Kenneth understood too well what would happen to a lab without Josephine—he'd experienced it once at Starlight Group.
The male reporter glanced back at his female colleague, and they shared a look of mutual reluctance. This was certainly not what they had anticipated.
Where did this deputy supervisor come from?
Josephine placed a steady hand on Kenneth’s shoulder. “But I am your supervisor."
She would never toss aside her employees like worn-out shoes, and even less would she let them take the blame for someone else.
Kenneth's eyes reddened. He lowered his head.
Sensing an opportunity, the male reporter thrust his microphone forward. “Ms. Kennedy, so you are accepting ultimate responsibility for this matter?"
"Yes."
"So you plan to bear all consequences?" The male reporter's eyes held excitement, making his face appear somewhat distorted. "How will you bear them? Will you compensate the volunteer? Apologize to the public? Or resign voluntarily? Never set foot in AI medicine again?"
These words left the room deathly silent.
Kenneth looked at the reporter in disbelief. “That is going too far! Who said taking responsibility must mean resignation?"
"Then what?" The male reporter sneered in response. "If she doesn't resign, it's just going through the motions—dock some pay, continue sitting in the lab as supervisor. Then from now on, no one who makes a mistake needs to accept punishment anymore."
"You... you're completely conflating two different things." Kenneth could hear the other party was swapping concepts, but he wasn't eloquent—after struggling for a long time, he only managed this one sentence.
The male reporter scoffed. His words were sharp, his tone merciless. “Deputy supervisor, if you cannot answer, remain silent. I am addressing your supervisor."
He pressed aggressively, staring fixedly at Josephine. "Ms. Kennedy wouldn't be thinking of holding a press conference, sincerely admitting fault, and then having this matter end there, would she?"
Other reporters watched like hawks.
"The volunteer is still hospitalized because of your mistake. You not only have to cover their medical expenses but also emotional distress compensation!"
"You must also give the public an explanation. This matter absolutely cannot be brushed aside. Whoever made the mistake must be fired and barred from entering this industry ever again—that's real punishment!"
Josephine looked around. Everyone was watching her. Everyone's eyes were full of malice. Just then, an egg flew from the crowd.
It hit Josephine squarely on the shoulder.
The rotten egg burst, releasing a foul-smelling black liquid that stained her clothes.
Reporters retreated en masse. Emma and Aiden exchanged glances and rushed onto the stage without a word. Emma fumbled for tissues in her pocket.
Aiden directly removed his jacket to shield them.
Kenneth’s expression turned icy. “Security, detain whoever threw that egg."