Chapter 907 Research Institute
Jeffery's eyes locked onto her, curious.
"What do you think?"
Lyra shook her head, hesitated, then said, "I have thoughts... but without seeing the real person, they're just thoughts. Mr. Gray, that's what you taught me."
She looked up, her eyes bright, making Jeffery's eyes flicker, almost like he was momentarily blinded.
Jeffery placed both hands on his knees, thinking for a moment. "Alright, pack your stuff and come with me."
Seeing Lyra's stunned expression, he smirked slightly. "Didn't you say you can't make conclusions without seeing the real person? Well, now I'm taking you to see them."
It was a surprise! No, more like a shock. It was so sudden that Lyra didn't know what to prepare. Should she bring disinfected gloves and utensils? Should she take her notes?
In the end, Jeffery only took her notebook, leaving everything else behind.
His explanation was brief. "They have everything there. You won't need these."
"Oh." Lyra slapped her forehead. It was so simple, she hadn't thought of it! She had been too excited.
The patient wasn't in the hospital but in a facility miles away, a place that looked like a nursing home but was actually a research institute. The nursing home facade was just a cover; there were no elderly patients receiving care there.
Inside, there were only researchers in sterilized suits or lab coats. Entry required identity verification.
Jeffery showed his badge, and she managed to catch a glimpse of it. The badge had Jeffery's photo, showing a man with sharp features and a naturally stern expression.
Jeffery entered first, seeing her still dazed. "Don't just stand there, follow me."
Lyra quickly followed.
The reception area had a nursing home style, but the deeper they went, the more it revealed its true nature. The security was tight, with several checkpoints, each seemingly ranked by level. Some could only pass the initial ones.
Jeffery's level was undoubtedly high.
She asked, "Is your rank here very high?"
"Yeah, I'm specially invited," Jeffery admitted openly, as if he didn't care about the confidentiality.
Lyra suppressed her amazement.
Suddenly, a man approached, hands in his lab coat pockets. Seeing Jeffery, he extended his hand.
"Mr. Gray, long time no see. I thought you wouldn't come." His tone was aggressive.
Jeffery glanced at the extended hand, showing no intention of shaking it. "Move aside. I'm not here for a chat. I have business."
The man raised an eyebrow, looking at Lyra behind him. She noticed he was quite handsome, but it didn't lessen the dislike she felt, especially from the way he looked at her.
Lyra frowned. It was as if he was looking at a roadside rock, with a hint of disdain and natural contempt.
"Oh, your business is bringing your little assistant here for a tour? You should have said so. I'm great at giving tours. How about lending me your assistant for a day? There's a report you need to see."
"My assistant is my responsibility. No need for anyone else to get involved."
Jeffery's cold stare was like a knife, cutting through the tension.
The man's smile faded slightly, his lips twitching. "You sure are protective."
Not wanting to waste time, Jeffery brushed past him, Lyra following closely.
As they passed, the man whispered in her ear, "I wonder if the one being protected has the skills?"
Lyra paused, turning to look at him by the elevator.
The man stood there, surprised that she turned back.
She said, "Just wait and see."
Ignoring the man's suddenly brightened eyes, she stepped into the elevator, taking a deep breath.
Jeffery glanced at her but said nothing.
...
In a clean, tidy room, the patient wore hospital clothes, moving within a limited range of about 15 feet. The distance from the bed to the bathroom was only 40 feet.
It was incredibly narrow.
The room's facilities were minimal, no TV, no communication devices, just a table, a few chairs, a bedside lamp, and some books.
Each corner of the room had cameras to monitor the patient's every move.
Seeing this through the live feed, Lyra felt it was absurd. "Keeping someone in a room like this, won't they go crazy?"
Jeffery looked at the monitor. "It's the team's decision."
Even if he wanted to intervene, he couldn't.
Every decision required a team vote. He had abstained, and the majority had voted for this outcome.
The explanation given was that they feared UV rays from smart devices would affect the cells.
Jeffery's lips curled in sarcasm.
Unbelievable, it was coming from a medical authority.
"It's ridiculous! Even for research, they can't treat people like this. This isn't healing; it's illegal detention!" Lyra, as a law-abiding citizen, felt deeply outraged.
She even thought of freeing the person.
But unfortunately, it wasn't possible. Not that it couldn't be done, but it would affect not just her, but Jeffery too.
Seeing Lyra's frustration, Jeffery reassured her, "Once the surgery is successful, he can be released and see the light of day again."
His words reignited her passion. Yes, there was still that path!
Jeffery then submitted a request for close observation of the patient. The approval took a long time, with some friction along the way.
A researcher came, looking troubled. "Mr. Gray, I'm sorry... Dr. Larson won't allow it."
"Dr. Larson?"
Lyra's question was ignored.
Jeffery glanced at her, signaling he'd explain later, then said, "Ruben and I are of equal rank. Since when do I need his permission to observe a patient?"
The researcher hesitated, clearly not wanting to offend Dr. Larson. "But Dr. Larson is Dr. Adams' student..."
Jeffery's eyes were cold and mocking. "When the Tree of Life project was established, it was clearly stated that all members, regardless of who they are, are treated equally as researchers."
"So, has that changed now, or has the institute become Dr. Adams' without my knowledge?"
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