Chapter 214 Backing
Although Hestia didn't know Sebastian or his relationship with Camilla, nothing could stop her from wanting to rant.
After lunch, the three returned to the lab.
Hestia put her hands on her hips and sighed, "It's spacious, but it's a pain to clean!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Excuse me, is this C116?"
Two cleaning staff appeared at the door, holding cleaning tools.
"Yes, this is C116. What do you need?"
"That's right! Let's get started."
The other cleaner quickly responded, and the two got to work efficiently.
Hestia blinked, "Are you sure you're in the right place?"
"No mistake, it's C116. The administration office told us to come and clean."
The administration office?
Hestia and Camilla both looked at Royce: Did you call them?
Royce shook his head.
How could he have that kind of pull?
"Who could it be? We didn't tell anyone else we were coming to clean today. Whatever, as long as someone is helping with the cleaning, it's a lifesaver."
With that, she immediately pulled up a chair and sat down, tearing open a bag of chips.
She also offered some to Camilla and Royce.
Camilla took one, but her attention was clearly elsewhere. She had a vague suspicion in her mind.
Was it because Sebastian felt guilty for not helping and wanted to make up for it this way?
It really wasn't necessary.
Hestia nudged Royce's shoulder. "Why aren't you taking any?"
Royce said, "No. I'll gain weight."
At the same time, in the office of the School of Life Sciences.
Otis Jenkins wiped his cold sweat, feeling like his smile was about to freeze, while the person across from him remained motionless, without even a hint of extra expression.
He cautiously probed, "Mr. Davis, it's rare for you to visit. What brings you here today?"
"You don't know why I'm here?" Marcus sneered, "It seems all the equipment TechNova Innovations has provided to the school over the years has gone to waste!"
Otis immediately looked terrified, "What do you mean by that?"
Although Otis held the title of vice dean, the School of Life Sciences had 12 vice deans, each overseeing different areas like admissions, finance, teaching, etc.
Otis was in charge of fundraising.
If done well, it was a good job because it involved dealing with entrepreneurs, and even a small amount of money from them could be a windfall for ordinary people.
But if not done well, it was a different story.
Otis thought he was doing well in this circle. He had even chatted and laughed with Marcus at previous dinners. Why was Marcus acting like this today?
"Is there something we did wrong? Whatever you think, just tell me, and I'll make sure to improve it!"
Marcus chuckled lightly, his tone mocking, "How could I have any thoughts? Anyway, the school's resources aren't allocated by rules or ability. You distribute them however you want, to whoever you want."
"What are you talking about?" Otis cried out in grievance, "Our school has always provided experimental resources to students fairly and justly, following all regulations. We would never favor anyone."
"Really? Then why did I hear that someone is hogging a lab, not using it themselves and not letting other research groups use it either? This matter wouldn't concern me, but what was said when TechNova Innovations provided the school with two CPRT machines?"
He paused, "To create a fair and reasonable experimental environment for every student, to contribute to the field of scientific research, and to advance the future of humanity. Now, it's all turned upside down. The equipment I donated isn't there for show, nor is it academic resources for some people to maliciously fight over, a bargaining chip on the scales of competition. I hope you understand this clearly."
Marcus curled his lips, enunciating each word, "Because this directly affects whether TechNova Innovations will continue to provide funding and resources to the school."
Otis's face changed dramatically, "No, no, no, let's talk this over!"
At the same time, his brain was working rapidly.
Marcus's visit today was clearly a warning and the issue must be with those two CPRT measurement instruments.
"Rest assured, I roughly understand your point. We firmly oppose and will seriously address any academic unfairness."
Marcus's expression finally softened, "You never disappoint, which is why out of all the deans and leaders at the school, you're the only one I want to collaborate with."
"Mr. Davis, you're too kind. I'm flattered."
Marcus stood up and left.
Otis personally saw him out. Once Marcus's figure completely disappeared, the smile on Otis's face collapsed.
Back in his office, he immediately took out his phone and called the administration office, "Check the recent lending situation of the two labs with the CPRT measurement instruments."
The person on the other end was stunned, "One of them has always been used by Calliope's team, and the other was recently assigned to Ignatius."
"Ignatius? Isn't he part of Calliope's team?"
"Yes, I was puzzled too. They already had one, why apply for another? Professor Garcia's students also came to borrow one, but they were too late."
"You mean Aurora's team also applied?"
"Yes, it was a close call."
No wonder!
Otis assumed Aurora had enough influence to get Marcus to back them up.
"Release that lab. This Ignatius is just causing trouble!"
He didn't mention Calliope at all.
"Got it."
Otis had just ended the call and sighed in relief when the office door was pushed open again.
He didn't even have time to wipe the sweat off his forehead before he stood up with a smile. "Sebastian! What brings you here? Please, have a seat."
Sebastian didn't want to waste words and got straight to the point. "If I remember correctly, the school rules clearly state that maliciously monopolizing public resources and engaging in malicious competition between teams is not allowed. As a director, you should be more familiar with these regulations than I am."
Otis's heart skipped a beat.
Not again!
The two cleaning staff worked quickly, and within an hour, the lab was spotless.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, it's our job!"
With that, the two cleaners packed up their things and left with smiles.
To facilitate cleaning, some experimental equipment had been temporarily moved to the hallway. Fortunately, there wasn't much, and the three of them could move it back in a few trips.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Aurora's three students?" A voice came from the side.
The three turned to see Noe and Bronte standing not far away. One had a mocking smile, full of ridicule, while the other crossed their arms, looking like an indifferent bystander.
"So, this is the lab you applied for? Let me see what's here. It's all junk! Not a single decent piece of equipment, what a waste of space."
Bronte raised her chin slightly and laughed, "Noe, what nonsense are you talking? The best equipment in the whole school is in our team. What do you expect them to have?"
Noe said, "True, only good horses deserve good saddles. As for those inferior ones, they should be eliminated. Keeping them is just a waste of resources."
Camilla smiled, "If you want to be animals, don't drag others into it."
Hestia said, "Exactly, why be a horse when you can be a person? I wonder how your brains work..."
"You!" Noe was so angry she couldn't speak.
Bronte frowned, "Why not just admit your lab sucks?! Let's see how long you can keep this up!"
Hestia smirked, "Then keep your eyes wide open. Oh, and protect your eyeballs, don't let them fall out."
Bronte sneered.
"If boasting worked, you wouldn't be here struggling to move things yourselves. Noe, let's go."
Noe scoffed, "A bunch of bumpkins! Serves you right for not getting the lab! Want to use the CPRT? We won't let you. If you have the guts, buy one yourselves!"
Royce said, "Sure."
Camilla nodded. "Good idea."
Hestia said, "Free shipping, next-day delivery. Remember to come and see it tomorrow."
Noe looked furious, "Are you crazy? All of you are nuts!"
He thought, 'Buy one? Do they think CPRTs are like groceries they can just pick up at the store?'
However, the next day, when the equipment was being delivered to the lab by a dedicated team, Noe and Bronte, standing among the onlookers, suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
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