Deanna was unaware that some netizens had organized an attack on the research institute.
She was in the laboratory, redoing the data for Sunfire Elixir IV, intending to use the latest data to prove that their potion had no issues.
During this time, she received concerned calls from friends and family, learning that the issue had blown up online.
Feeling warmed by their concern, Deanna briefly explained the situation and reassured them not to worry too much.
After hanging up, Deanna continued with her experiment.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Brent stood outside the laboratory, looking anxious.
Deanna thought something had happened and quickly interrupted her experiment to go out.
"Brent, what's wrong?"
"Miss, it's bad. A group of people stormed into the institute and started smashing things. The first floor is already wrecked. Although I've blocked the passage to the second floor, I don't think it will hold for long given their tools."
Brent's face was grave as he finished speaking.
Deanna was both shocked and angry. "Are they crazy?"
Before she could say more, Shannon emerged from the elevator, looking somewhat disheveled.
Shannon had tried to help Brent stop the rioters from vandalizing the institute. Despite her skills, she was outnumbered and ended up assisting Brent in preventing the rioters from reaching the second floor.
However, the second floor had already been breached by the rioters.
Shannon had to instruct the institute's staff to continue defending further up.
Worried about her missus, Shannon took the exclusive elevator to the top floor.
"Missus, the second floor has been breached. I don't think the password door on the third floor will hold much longer. Until Mr. Mercer arrives, please stay in the lab and don't go anywhere!"
Shannon's expression was serious as she gave her instructions.
The lab was heavily fortified with security systems, making it nearly impossible to breach without a password or heavy artillery.
Deanna knew the situation was tense but couldn't just think of her own safety. Her office contained crucial data on the special medicine that must not be exposed.
With a decision made, she instructed, "Shannon, Brent, bring everyone from the institute to this floor. If we lock all security doors and passages on each floor, we should be able to hold off the rioters long enough for the police and Lance to arrive."
Shannon and Brent nodded and left the lab without hesitation.
Watching them leave, Deanna's eyes flickered. She quickly went down to her office via the emergency stairs.
She retrieved the special medicine data and decrypted information from Lionel from the safe, stuffing them into her backpack. She also grabbed some other documents as a cover before hurrying back to the top-floor lab.
Upon returning, she found Shannon and Brent had already brought everyone up.
Seeing Deanna emerge from the emergency stairs, everyone was relieved and called out excitedly, "Ms. Jones, you're finally back! Shannon and Brent were so worried when you weren't here."
As soon as these words fell, Shannon approached with concern. "Missus, where did you go?"
"I was worried that the rioters would destroy my office and cause some confidential documents to be lost, so I went down to retrieve them."
Deanna raised her bag as she explained and then apologized sincerely, "Sorry for making you worry."
Seeing her genuine apology, Shannon couldn't say much more and emphasized again, "Missus, if you need to go anywhere else, please inform me."
"I understand."
Deanna nodded.
Shannon seemed to remember something and handed Deanna her phone. "While you were gone, Mr. Mercer called several times. I answered and he asked you to call him back as soon as you returned. He's very worried about you."
Hearing this, Deanna gave a wry smile and took her phone to call Lance.
The call connected quickly, and Lance's concerned voice came through.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I went to my office to get some important documents and forgot my phone. Sorry for worrying you," Deanna said apologetically.
Lance still sounded worried and reminded her, "I'm almost at your institute. Stay close to Shannon until I get there. If anything needs doing, let Shannon handle it."
"Got it."
Just as Deanna finished speaking, a loud noise came from downstairs, causing the floor to shake.
Everyone else looked terrified.
Shannon and Brent's expressions grew even more serious.
They spoke in unison, "They've reached the office already. That was fast."
Hearing this, Deanna felt relieved that she had already retrieved the important documents from her office.
Lance heard the commotion over the phone and softened his voice to comfort her. "Don't be afraid; I'll be there soon."