Chapter 270

Chapter 270

Wilder took the report and quickly scanned through the data and conclusions.

His frown deepened, and his expression grew grave.

Several researchers nearby couldn't help but crane their necks to look.

"So, this person isn't Dr. Harris?"

"But they look so much alike..."

Elaine continued explaining: "This is exactly why I requested Wilder's permission some time ago to have her temporarily leave the lab. I suspected her identity and motives, but at the time I lacked solid evidence and couldn't tip her off."

She turned to Wilder: "Wilder, I should have reported this to you in detail earlier, but the situation was complicated at the time, and I was worried..."

"I understand."

Wilder interrupted her with a sigh. "No wonder you were so insistent back then... I even thought you were being a bit harsh on your mother. Now I see you were right."

Wilder looked up at the researchers around them: "Everyone, Elaine detected something was wrong with this Kathy early on and took measures. This saboteur is a spy impersonating Dr. Harris."

The conference room fell silent.

But the suspicious looks didn't completely disappear.

The researcher who had jumped up earlier still had his brows furrowed: "Ms. Brown, even if the DNA proves she's not your mother, why would she specifically impersonate your mother? And the lab only gave her temporary access—how did she know so much inside information? The security system vulnerabilities, the duty schedules, the data server locations... even many of us insiders don't know all these details!"

"Right,"

Another researcher chimed in, "She lived at your place for two months. Even if you suspected her later, what about before? Could she have gotten information from you somehow?"

The question was blunt, almost suggesting that Elaine might have unwittingly been an accomplice—or worse.

Elaine felt a chill.

Once trust is broken, rebuilding takes time.

And right now, in the shock of this major loss, her colleagues would instinctively look for someone to blame.

The imposter had disappeared, and as the imposter's closest "daughter," she naturally became the focus of scrutiny.

"I understand everyone's doubts."

Elaine tried to keep her voice calm.

"For these two months, I did let her stay at my place. But I never disclosed any research content or security details to her."

"As for why she chose to impersonate my mother, I think it might be related to my mother's disappearance years ago. My mother Kathy got caught up in international capital interests ten years ago, and her research direction back then has important connections to our current novel virus work. The organization behind this imposter might have had targets beyond just our current project from the very beginning."

These words sent the conference room into thought again.

Wilder rubbed his temples, looking exhausted: "Elaine, what you're saying is very important. But right now the lab has suffered major losses. We must fully cooperate with the investigation, recover what was lost, and get to the truth."

He looked at Elaine with a serious tone: "Until this matter is thoroughly investigated, to avoid suspicion and for your safety, I suggest you take a temporary break and cooperate with the follow-up investigation."

This was essentially a suspension.

Elaine's heart sank, but she knew this was the most reasonable way to handle things right now.

She nodded: "I understand. I'll fully cooperate with the investigation."

"I'll walk you out."

Wilder stood up.

Under the complex gazes of everyone, Elaine followed Wilder out of the conference room.

The night grew deeper.

Elaine drove home alone.

That night, she barely slept.

An even bigger storm might still be coming...

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the doorbell rang.

Elaine, who hadn't slept all night, was fully dressed when she opened the door.

Outside stood three people—two men and one woman, all in dark suits with serious expressions.

The leader was a man in his forties with a calm, capable demeanor. He showed her a special ID.

"Researcher Elaine, hello. We're from the National Special Investigation Team. Regarding last night's theft at the National Virus Research Institute's core laboratory, we need you to come with us to assist with the investigation. This case is beyond local police jurisdiction and is now entirely under our authority."

Elaine's eyes swept over the unusual badge on the ID, understanding immediately.

Wilder's warning had come true.

"I understand."

She said calmly, turned back inside, and grabbed her phone, wallet, and the folder containing the DNA report.

As she left her home, she noticed two inconspicuous black sedans parked downstairs.

"Please get in."

The lead investigator opened the back door for her.

Elaine got into the car, and it started moving.

They didn't go to the municipal police station or any familiar government building.

The car drove for about forty minutes before entering a heavily guarded compound.

The guards at the entrance carefully checked their credentials before letting them through.

The car stopped in front of an unremarkable gray building.

"Please come with us."

The investigator led her inside the building.

They entered an interrogation room—a small space with a table, several chairs, and an inconspicuous camera in the corner.

Elaine sat down as instructed. Several investigators sat across from her at the table and began questioning her with serious expressions.

Time passed—she didn't know how long. The water glass in front of Elaine had been emptied and refilled, refilled and emptied again.

She had been sitting here for nearly six hours.

"Researcher Song, please recall once more—from when this woman claiming to be Kathy appeared until she left your home last night—everything she said and everyone she contacted during these two months."

The investigator's voice was penetrating. This was the third time they'd circled back to this question.

Elaine picked up her glass, moistened her dry lips, and began recounting everything methodically once again.

Her memory was excellent. She remembered every detail of those two months, every subtle unnaturalness about the fake Kathy.

She presented the DNA report, explained her motivation for installing surveillance, and provided her lip-reading interpretation of fake Kathy's final phone call.

She hid nothing, simply stated the facts.

The recorder beside them typed rapidly on the keyboard, while the female investigator's gaze remained locked on her.

The investigator looked into her eyes, was silent for a few seconds, then closed his notebook.

"Your cooperative attitude is good, and the information you've provided is very detailed."

His tone softened slightly. "But this is a major case involving national security. We need to comprehensively verify all the information you've provided. Until the investigation concludes, I'm afraid we'll need you to stay here and continue cooperating."

Elaine nodded. This outcome wasn't unexpected.

She was taken to a simple rest room with a bed and private bathroom. The conditions were fairly clean, but the window was sealed shut and there was a guard outside the door.

This was essentially house arrest.

But she knew that until suspicion was completely cleared, this was standard procedure.

...

Smith Group, top floor office.

Arthur slammed the tablet in his hand onto his desk. The news headline on the screen was clear as day:

[Shocking! Daughter of Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine, National Virus Research Institute Core Researcher Elaine Suspected of Colluding with Foreign Forces, Leading to Theft of Important National Research Data!]

[Exclusive Inside Story: Was Elaine Already Turned? The Truth About Her Mother Kathy's Death Years Ago May Actually Be Defection!]

The comment section was already in an uproar, full of speculation and abuse.