Chapter 323 Accountability
"Hello everyone! We're photographers and reporters from Campus News. Would it be alright if we covered this event?" a voice called out.
Camilla and Aurora exchanged glances.
"Of course," Camilla replied with a smile. "May I ask who sent you here?"
"Professor Otis Jenkins from the Life Sciences Department. He told us some students had built their own laboratory and invited the President to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said it was quite newsworthy, so we came right away."
"How thoughtful of Professor Jenkins," Camilla remarked.
Nearby, Otis wanted nothing more than to bury his face in his hands.
After asking several questions about the laboratory, the reporter suddenly inquired, "Where's President Bobby Owens? I don't see him."
As if on cue, Bobby and Casey arrived.
"Aurora, congratulations!" Bobby said cheerfully as he stepped out of his car.
Regardless of his reason for attending, his attitude alone demonstrated exceptional social intelligence.
Casey wasn't nearly as composed. First, he stared in astonishment at the five-story building, then was taken aback by the prestigious lineup of guests.
By the time he collected himself, Bobby was already chatting amiably with Camilla.
"As expected from Aurora's student," Bobby was saying. "As President, nothing makes me happier than watching students grow and knowing the academic world has worthy successors!"
"Aurora tells me you spearheaded this laboratory project, Camilla. That's quite remarkable." Bobby gave her a thumbs-up.
Camilla, however, pulled Hestia and Royce forward. "That's not quite accurate. The three of us built this laboratory together. So it's not just me who's remarkable—it's us."
" Yes, of course; all of you!" Bobby agreed.
Hestia and Royce were caught off guard by Camilla's quick move, barely having time to react.
After Bobby and Casey moved on to speak with others, Hestia finally snapped out of her daze.
"Camilla, did President Owens just compliment me?" she asked.
"He did."
"My God, I wouldn't have dared dream of it."
That was Bobby Owens! The highest authority at Harmony College! How had she earned his praise?
"Royce, hold me up; my legs are giving out."
Royce's lips twitched. "Is it really that serious?"
Despite his words, he reached out to steady Hestia, finding it surprisingly difficult.
"Yes! Absolutely!" She turned to Camilla with star-struck eyes. "Camilla, you're amazing! Even at a moment like this, you didn't forget to include us."
Camilla shrugged. "I was just telling the truth."
Royce gave her a grateful look as well.
As Bobby walked by, Otis hunched down and averted his gaze, desperately wishing he could make himself invisible on the spot.
Bobby walked past without a glance, and Otis breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was safe. But a moment later, Bobby turned back. "Life Sciences Department? Otis, isn't it?"
"Y-yes! Mr. Owens!" Otis's heart leapt into his throat again.
He was helpless. If he'd known Camilla actually had the resources to build a laboratory and invite so many academic heavyweights, he would never have come—let alone brought Campus News reporters and cameramen.
Otis wanted to slap himself. Such regret!
Bobby looked him up and down, seemingly oblivious to Otis's current discomfort and remorse.
"I understand Camilla's team chose to build their lab off-campus because their original campus facility was shut down for fire safety violations?" Bobby asked casually.
At the words "fire safety," Otis's heart skipped a beat.
Behind him, Calliope felt a chill run down her spine.
Noe, Bronte, and Clara transformed into frightened mice, not daring to make a sound.
Otis forced himself to respond. "Yes."
"I wonder if there's more to this story?" Bobby pressed.
Otis's eyes darted around nervously. "I'm not entirely familiar with the details. I'd need to investigate further to verify the specifics."
"Not familiar? As Associate Dean of Life Sciences, you're unfamiliar with the only laboratory in your department that was ordered to close? Who was responsible for communicating with the fire department? Who finalized the remediation plan? Was everyone properly informed? How was this explained to those affected? Aren't these matters you, as Associate Dean, should understand and oversee?"
With each question Bobby asked, Otis's head drooped lower.
By the end, he was facing the ground, bent at the waist as if in apology.
Casey, enjoying the spectacle, chimed in softly, "Judging by Otis's reaction, there seems to be more to this than meets the eye."
Bobby's gaze darkened. "If there's something behind this, I expect a written explanation on my desk. Additionally, Aurora deserves answers—her student was forced out and had to finance a laboratory with her own resources."
"Those who don't know the full story might praise Harmony College's resourceful students, but those who do will say the nation's premier institution couldn't even provide a basic laboratory for its students!"
"The Life Sciences Department has been receiving national and university funding for years with minimal academic output but plenty of incidents. It seems some people have grown too comfortable and started causing trouble."
After Bobby left, Otis was drenched in cold sweat, barely able to straighten his back.
"Mr. Jenkins?" Calliope ventured cautiously.
Otis whirled around, glaring at her furiously. "You idiot! What possessed you to target Camilla and deprive her of laboratory access?"
"We've already had a similar incident with CPRT, and now you pull this with the fire inspection? Where did you find the audacity?!"
Calliope was stunned by the verbal assault.
When she recovered, she realized her students had heard everything, making the situation even more humiliating.
But there was a more pressing concern.
"What did Bobby mean just now? Do you think he suspects something? Did Aurora report us?" Calliope asked.
She was desperate for reassurance.
But Otis had his own problems to worry about and was in no mood to comfort her.
"What do you think? Your underhanded schemes will be exposed sooner or later!"
Otis's casual remark nearly sent Calliope into a panic. He thought, 'No, I can't just sit back and wait for disaster!'
Suddenly, something occurred to her. She turned sharply toward Camilla's direction.
Then, putting on a smile, she walked over. "Camilla, you're so impressive! Building a laboratory just like that! Though I wonder—did you get all the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities?"
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