Chapter 329 An Eye for an Eye
Otis gave a cold sneer. "What do you think? Did you really believe this would end well? See for yourself!" He grabbed a document from the desk and threw it in her face.
Calliope picked it up, her face growing paler with each line she read.
Formal reprimand, research funding cut by half, disqualification from next year's national research grant applications...
Each item felt like another mountain crushing down on her shoulders.
By the time she left the office, Calliope was practically hunched over with defeat.
Otis wasn't faring much better. Though he had shifted all blame onto Calliope during his interview, the administration still issued him a six-month warning for negligence and failure of oversight.
The moment the news reached the department, Dean Cecil summoned him for a meeting. Though the wording was diplomatic, the message was unmistakable – call it a "recuperative leave" if you like, but he was effectively being stripped of his authority.
Otis slammed his fist on the desk. He'd always known Calliope was an idiot, but he never should have gotten involved with her in the first place.
Now everything was ruined.
"Aunt! What did Dean Jenkins say? Surely Camilla's situation won't affect us, right?" Bronte had been waiting anxiously in Calliope's office and rushed forward as soon as she returned.
Calliope responded with a stinging slap across her face.
Bronte stood stunned.
"Was it you who called those mainstream media outlets yesterday?" Calliope snapped.
Bronte swallowed nervously, her eyes shifting. "I'm sorry, Aunt. I didn't mean to. Dean Jenkins said the bigger the scandal, the better, so I thought I'd try sending private messages to two media outlets. I never expected..."
"Two?" Calliope's expression froze. "Are you certain?"
"I swear! I only contacted two news outlets. I have no idea why so many showed up yesterday!"
"It seems Camilla had set a trap and was just waiting for us to walk right into it."
"You mean Camilla planned this deliberately?!"
"If you're not lying and only notified two outlets, yet fifteen showed up, what other explanation could there be?"
Bronte immediately raised her hand. "I swear I'm telling the truth! It was only two!"
Calliope let out a bitter laugh, thinking, 'Well played!'
"Aunt," Bronte bit her lip anxiously, "we won't face disciplinary action from the university, will we?"
Calliope laughed coldly. "Since you walked in, all you've cared about is whether you'll be punished. Fine, I'll tell you – you're expelled!"
"What?!" Bronte's eyes widened in shock, her face turning deathly pale as she nearly fainted.
Seeing her terror, Calliope felt slightly vindicated. "I'm kidding."
Bronte looked confused.
"See for yourself." Calliope tossed her the document.
After reading it, Bronte sighed with relief. It only mentioned Calliope's reprimand, with no reference to her.
"You think if I go down, you'll be fine? Let me tell you something – if I fall, you're coming down with me!" Calliope sneered, seeming to read her thoughts.
"Aunt, how could you think that? I'm terrified about your punishment! We're in this together – why wouldn't I want the best for you?"
"Good that you understand."
Just then, Bronte's phone rang. "Hello?" she answered.
Whatever she heard drained all color from her face.
"A surprise inspection? That's impossible! Didn't they just inspect us? Alright, I understand. I'll be right there!" Bronte quickly replied.
She hung up and turned to Calliope, trembling. "Aunt, we have a problem..."
When Calliope and Bronte arrived at the lab, fire safety officials were already evacuating personnel.
Noe rushed over, panic-stricken. "Professor Ross, both our labs have been cited by fire safety. We're required to complete renovations within a specified timeframe."
This familiar scene had played out with Camilla, Hestia, and Royce just two months ago. Now the tables had turned.
Calliope could hardly believe her ears, but Noe held the violation notice in his hands – official, stamped, and undeniable.
"Wait! Didn't you just inspect us? Why another inspection? And why only our labs?" Calliope stopped the lead fire safety officer.
"First, we have the right to conduct spot checks whenever necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with safety regulations."
"Second, we received a report this morning at 9 AM alleging fire safety violations in your labs, which prompted this inspection."
"The evidence speaks for itself. I'm curious – how did your labs go from being fully compliant two months ago to missing so many safety measures now?"
His response left Calliope speechless, though she latched onto one critical detail.
"A report? Who filed it?" Calliope asked.
"I'm afraid that's confidential. We're done here."
The group departed, leaving Calliope staring helplessly after them.
A thought struck her. She pulled out her phone and dialed Aurora's number.
"You despicable snake! It was you who reported us, wasn't it?" Calliope snapped.
Aurora was momentarily taken aback by the sudden accusation. "Your lab was reported?"
"Stop pretending! You know exactly what you did. Is this amusing to you?"
"Actually, yes. Quite amusing."
"You..."
Aurora's tone darkened. "Calliope, when you reach out to harm others, you should be prepared for the day when someone does the same to you."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
"Hello? Hello!" Calliope was nearly apoplectic with rage, grinding her teeth so hard that Noe swallowed nervously at the terrifying sight.
After ending the call, Aurora immediately dialed Camilla.
"Hello, Professor Garcia? What's happening?"
"Did you report Calliope's lab to fire safety?"
On the other end, Camilla was recording data at her lab bench. Her typing paused momentarily.
"I see the fire department works quickly if you've already heard the news."
Aurora was speechless.
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