When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0628

When Sophie spoke up, she successfully attracted everyone’s attention.

“What are you

doing?” Joseph seemed to anticipate her mischief and reached out to pulp her back.

Sophie shrugged him off without a glance and Instead fixed her gaze on Miranda. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you unable to come up with a response? So, does this mean your lab doesn’t have the necessary permits and is built illegally?”

Miranda laughed, and Madison and Sebastian Joined in.

“What are you all laughing at?” Sophie felt an inexplicable sense of panic.

Madison replied, “Thank goodness Miranda anticipated that once the lab was up and running, some jealous troublemakers would appear. She made sure we had all the necessary permits in place.”

you right away.”

She then asked, “Dr. Xander, what permits would you like to see? I can get them for

Sophie said, “According to Article 7 of the Biosecurity Management Regulations for Pathogen

Laboratories, any new, renovated, or expanded Level 3 or 4 labs and mobile Level 3 or 4 labs are required to prepare an environmental impact report.

“You also need to get that approved by the National Environmental Protection Agency. Have you managed to secure that approval?” She smirked and thought they took her for a fool.

The new regulations were only issued last March to control the number of biological labs and reduce environmental impacts. With these restrictions in place, getting approval wouldn’t be simple.

Earlier this year, Soren Lark, a professor in the Biology Department at Queenstone College, had tried to apply for an independent lab. When she submitted her report, the administration called her in and advised her to hold off.

After three long months, they finally relented and agreed to sign off on her application. But then it was passed up to another department, and what was the result? It sank without a trace.

Half a year later, there was still no news. Soren contacted someone and found out that her application had been rejected.

Sophie heard that Soren was determined to try again this year. She had a good relationship with Soren and was privy to a lot of the inside information, so she knew just how tough it was to get approval.

It had been less than two months since Miranda and her friends first received the fire safety notice, and now their lab had been built. Given the tight timeline, it felt almost impossible to have navigated all the necessary procedures in such a short span.

“Madison,” Miranda called.

“Sure, Miranda!” Madison ducked into the lab and returned with a leather folder.

“Make sure Dr. Xander gets a good look at this,” Miranda said. “The last thing we need is for people to start rumors that our lab was built illegally.”

Madison handed it over with a smile. “Dr. Xander, please have a thorough look.”

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0628

Sophie took the folder and opened it with a look of disbelief. “Impossible! How did you get approval for this? This must be fake!”

Madison took back the folder and neatly repacked it. “Some people just can’t handle the truth, even when it’s staring them in the face. It’s probably better not to look at all.

Miranda sneered. “Dr. Xander, this isn’t the first time you’ve put us in a tough spot, right? First, there were the issues with the CPRT machine, then the fire safety rectifications, and now you’re ignoring the facts just to throw around baseless accusations.

“They say good things come in threes, right? We held back out of respect for you as our professor. Sure, we’ve had our own share of issues. But that doesn’t mean we’re pushovers who will just stand here while you keep slandering and undermining us.”

In a few pointed sentences, Miranda laid out their grievances for everyone to hear.

Joseph thought, “This is bad! This isn’t a counterattack–Sophie is practically handing over her head on a platter.”

Just then, a bus pulled up, and the doors swung open. A group of reporters with cameras and microphones in hand stepped out.

Joseph saw their press badges and thought, “Oh, boy.”