Chapter 317 The Laboratory Is Completed
The most visibly disturbed person in the room was Calliope.
When she heard "self-built laboratory," she froze momentarily, then cycled through disbelief before settling on a contemptuous sneer.
Self-built laboratory? Easier said than done.
Setting aside the enormous cost, just securing the location and navigating the approval process seemed well beyond Camilla's capabilities.
Years ago, when the department favored Aurora, Calliope had struggled tremendously. She lacked both students and resources. Department leadership had effectively rendered her invisible.
During her darkest moments, Calliope—fueled by resentment—had briefly entertained the idea of breaking away from the department to establish her own laboratory. Once successful, she imagined the department would come begging for her return.
But this thought had been fleeting, never seriously considered for implementation.
Because it was nearly impossible!
One couldn't simply find a vacant lot, throw up some walls, and call it a "laboratory." A facility recognized by national and professional standards required strict location criteria, specific architectural specifications, and approval from multiple regulatory bodies.
"Professor Ross, what's so amusing?" Bronte whispered.
"I'm laughing at certain people's delusions of grandeur. Private squabbles are one thing, but formally announcing this to the entire department is another level of audacity."
"What do you mean?" Bronte probed cautiously.
"Do they think building a laboratory is so simple? Filing a notice isn't the same as having a completed facility. Why is everyone so shocked?"
Filing paperwork was merely the first step. How long construction would take, what standards it would meet, and whether it would gain official recognition remained entirely uncertain.
"Some people try to save face through grandiose announcements," Calliope remarked. "Their ambitions are quite... imaginative."
"You're saying they won't succeed?" Bronte asked.
Calliope tilted her chin upward with a cold smile. "Remove the question mark."
Bronte broke into laughter. "I knew it! How could they possibly build their own lab? Those three are living in a fantasy world!"
"Some people refuse to face reality, preferring to dwell in delusion. But dreams eventually end."
"Exactly! When they wake up to nothing, they'll be devastated!"
Bronte lowered her voice, leaning closer. "Auntie, should we do something about this?"
"No need. Let's just watch. They've made their announcement in front of the entire department. When they inevitably fail, Camilla's group will have humiliated themselves."
"You're so perceptive, seeing through their little scheme immediately."
Calliope's smile vanished abruptly. "Mind your language. We're in public—no familial terms."
"Of course, Professor Ross."
After the meeting concluded, discussions about Camilla's group continued unabated, with virtually everyone expressing skepticism about their chances.
Back in his office, Otis immediately summoned someone from the oversight committee to inquire when the application had been submitted, who had submitted it, and whether it represented Aurora's intentions or merely her students' initiative.
The committee member's response was terse. "That information is confidential."
Otis frowned. "Come on, Pax. We've worked together for over a decade. Is this really necessary?"
Pax's expression remained humorless. "If you value our long relationship, you shouldn't be testing my professional boundaries."
"You've shared insider information with me before, haven't you?"
"As you said—before. Times have changed."
"How so?" Otis pressed.
"This is the first time anyone in our department has attempted to establish an independent laboratory. The administration hasn't clarified their position yet. I'd be risking my career to leak information. Do I look suicidal to you?"
Otis felt a jolt of concern. If this had reached upper administration, perhaps it was more serious than he'd thought.
"Can't you share just a tiny detail? I only want to know who submitted the application. Please, Pax!"
Pax sighed. "You're going to cause me trouble sooner or later."
Despite his protest, he relented: "Camilla's group submitted it themselves."
Otis exhaled with relief.
As long as Aurora wasn't directly involved, this was merely a minor disturbance, nothing worth worrying about.
After Pax left, Otis hummed cheerfully to himself.
By early January, against all expectations, Camilla's laboratory was completed.
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