Chapter 316 Shocking News Sweeps Through Department
Camilla remained silent.
The laboratory renovations were real, and the lack of output was a fact. There was nothing to argue about.
She sat back down, coincidentally right next to Clara.
Clara couldn't help but snicker, "Well, well, Camilla. How the mighty have fallen."
"Life has its ups and downs. Everyone faces setbacks occasionally," Camilla replied evenly. "But as they say, what goes around comes around. My present could easily be your future."
"Still so stubborn!" Clara scoffed.
Camilla maintained her composure, showing no trace of anger.
Clara, irritated by Camilla's calm demeanor, pressed on, "Do you honestly think you can compete with Professor Ross? Aurora might have stood a chance when she was younger, but she's past her prime now. She can't compete anymore. As her student, you're isolated and powerless. You'll only end up being bullied."
"I remember how desperately we competed to become Aurora's graduate student. You won, I lost. But who would have guessed things would turn out like this?" Clara's lips curved into a smug smile.
What good was being first in the entrance exam? What did it matter how brilliant her interview was? Camilla had purchased a CPTR with her own money, yet here she was, without even a functioning laboratory.
"Camilla, ever since you broke up with my brother Leopold, your life has been spiraling downward. Did you think pursuing graduate studies would somehow be your comeback? That it would make Leopold notice you again? That my mother would regret losing you as a daughter-in-law? Pure fantasy!" Clara added.
Camilla smiled, genuine amusement lighting up her features. "From what you're saying, it sounds like my academic pursuits did impress people, Leopold did take notice, and your mother does regret her decision. Is that right?"
Clara was seething with anger, grinding her teeth in fury.
"Unfortunately," Camilla's smile faded, "I pursued graduate studies because I wanted to further my education. Any 'comeback' was merely incidental. As for your brother and mother's thoughts or reactions, they're irrelevant to me."
"Because no matter how much Leopold might admire me now, or how much your mother might regret her decision, I won't be looking back," she added.
"You—you ungrateful wretch! Shameless!" Clara exploded.
Camilla replied coolly, "Your rage stems from your own inadequacy. Your entire family is delusional."
Ignatius, seated beside Clara, couldn't make out their exact conversation, but Clara's furious expression told him it wasn't pleasant.
Irvin nudged his shoulder. "Ignatius, why do Clara and Bronte always target Camilla?"
"Some people in this world are just strange. When they can't succeed themselves, they resent others who do. Eventually, they fall short in both character and ability."
Irvin took a moment to process this. "Exactly! Though I think Bronte is quite capable. She's hardly ever in the lab, yet somehow publishes papers without making a fuss. I wish I could be that good someday."
Irvin's eyes reflected his admiration.
He hadn't been assigned a research project yet. Calliope didn't pay much attention to him, while Clara and Noe already had their own research directions and projects. Bronte, of course, received all the best resources Calliope could offer.
Only Irvin, the honest worker, lacked Clara's family wealth, Noe's talent for flattery, or Bronte's natural luck. So he could only persevere quietly.
His only consolation was that Ignatius was willing to help him occasionally.
Otis cleared his throat. "Have all groups completed their reports? Are there any other matters to announce?"
As per tradition, after each group's report, time was allocated for departmental announcements. These weren't trivial matters but significant issues involving personnel changes, formal complaints, or dismissals.
The supervisory committee representative would read these announcements publicly to ensure transparency and fairness.
Usually, this segment was brief, with no announcements to make. Everyone expected today to be the same.
To everyone's surprise, the supervisory committee representative stood up. "There is one item."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Even Otis raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"The matter concerns a notification from Camilla's research group regarding their establishment of an off-campus independent laboratory. We have received their documentation and are currently verifying the relevant procedures. Updates will be provided to both the department and the university administration in due course," the supervisory committee representative said.
This announcement struck like lightning.
"An independent laboratory? What does that mean?"
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"Who's building a laboratory? Is this another university-corporate research partnership? That's not really a laboratory."
"The key point is that this is a notification, not an application. This means Camilla's group has already taken action and is merely fulfilling their obligation to inform the proper channels!"
"Incredible! We've been hearing some surreal news lately. First, someone purchased a CPTR with their own funds, and now someone's building their own laboratory!"
"Could the group that purchased the CPTR be the same one building this laboratory?"
"What?"
The room buzzed with speculation.
Meanwhile, Calliope's team members sat in stunned silence.
Noe looked bewildered. "What are they talking about up there?"
Bronte murmured, "That's impossible!"
Even Clara stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Camilla is building a laboratory?"
In contrast to their dramatic reactions, Ignatius was momentarily surprised before understanding dawned on him.
What a brilliant countermove!
Something most people wouldn't dare to dream of, they had actually done.
In that moment, Ignatius felt a wave of self-loathing—disgust at himself for being content to remain caged, lacking even the courage to spread his wings.
Compared to Camilla, he felt utterly inadequate.
Irvin was equally shocked but quickly recovered. "Camilla's team is incredible! Building their own laboratory! Is that even possible? I've heard establishing a laboratory requires not just time and money, but navigating extremely difficult approval processes, especially for biological labs. The regulations are incredibly strict. How can they make it sound as simple as having breakfast?"
"Still, having a laboratory exclusively for your own team sounds amazing! No more depending on the department's goodwill or worrying about false accusations and sabotage," he added.
Irvin couldn't help but feel envious again.
"Such country bumpkins! So provincial!" Noe spat venomously.
Irvin frowned. "Have you ever seen anyone build their own laboratory? If so, who?"
Noe was speechless.
"Can't answer? So you don't know either. Doesn't that make you just as provincial and inexperienced?"
"You..."
"What? It's true!"
Noe was shocked. Since when had the usually docile Irvin learned to talk back?
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