Although it was supposed to be a short distance, Lance still walked for nearly ten minutes.
Mercer Group was only a few kilometers away, but after dropping Deanna off in the morning, he had gone to inspect various properties under the Mercer Group.
He never imagined that such a terrible incident would occur within just two or three hours.
Lance arrived at the scene simultaneously with the armed special police.
The rioters were armed, beyond what ordinary police could handle.
Their arrival alarmed the rioters upstairs.
"Bad news, the police are here, we need to retreat."
With these words, the previously arrogant crowd began to panic.
Some, who had calmed down and realized what they had done, were filled with regret.
They had come to protest and demand an explanation from Genesis Labs, but it had escalated into vandalism.
As they considered surrendering to the police, a voice of incitement echoed in their ears.
"Don't go out one by one. Listen to me. If we go out one by one, the police will catch us, imprison us, and make us pay compensation. That money will go to Genesis Labs, this heartless place. We can't let our hard-earned money go to them!"
"That's right! Genesis Labs is a deadly garbage research institute. They have no right to demand compensation from us!"
"The law does not punish the masses. If we rush out together, the police won't be able to catch us all!"
Hearing this, the previously frightened crowd was incited once again.
They shouted excitedly, "Yes, let's rush out together!"
Seeing the incited crowd, a few men with distinct features exchanged glances and led the charge downstairs.
Downstairs, the armed police were preparing to call out to the rioters to lay down their weapons and surrender.
Before they could speak, a large group of people rushed out of the research institute.
As soon as they appeared, both the armed police and Lance's team understood their plan.
They intended to use the principle of "the law does not punish the masses" to break through the police line and escape.
Neither the armed police nor Lance would allow them to escape.
Moreover, Lance felt something was off about this whole situation.
Fortunately, the outcome was decent. Except for a few rioters who escaped, most were captured.
Lance hurried to the top floor of the research institute.
Seeing Deanna unharmed, he finally felt relieved.
Deanna and others saw him and opened the security door of the research institute, walking out.
"You're here. Are the people downstairs dealt with?" Deanna asked.
Others looked at Lance with concern upon hearing her question.
Lance stepped forward and held Deanna's hand, responding in a deep voice, "Except for a few who escaped, everyone else has been captured. It's safe downstairs now. You can send someone to clean up and assess the damages. Report them to the police for compensation."
As he finished speaking, a few more police officers emerged from the safety corridor.
Seeing the crowd in the hallway and Deanna holding Lance's hand, they guessed her identity.
The leading officer approached and said in an official tone, "Mrs. Mercer, please come with us to the police station to make a statement."
"Of course. Could you wait a moment while I arrange some work?" Deanna replied politely.
The police nodded and indicated they would wait downstairs.
After sending off the police, Deanna instructed Brent, "Organize a cleanup of the research institute. Everyone should check their personal belongings for any valuable losses. Report them along with the institute's damages so we can seek compensation."
Though gentle by nature, Deanna was not one to suffer losses without seeking accountability.
Having been bullied like this, she was determined to hold those responsible and ensure they compensated for the damages.
Everyone must be accountable for their actions as adults.
Later, after arranging matters at the research institute, Deanna joined Lance in the car and headed to the police station again.
In the car, she leaned against Lance and couldn't help but sigh, "I never thought I'd end up going to the police station twice in one day."
Lance held her without speaking, pondering over the oddities of the situation.
He had already arranged for someone to suppress news when they were surrounded by media reporters earlier.
Yet all those news stories still appeared online. He couldn't believe there wasn't someone orchestrating this behind the scenes.
As he was thinking, Deanna's puzzled voice interrupted him, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I was just thinking," Lance replied and shared his suspicions. "Don't you think that since the incident at the hospital, everything has happened one after another as if it were premeditated and planned?"