Harper was initially filled with righteous indignation, but she knew better that people like them, without any status, were simply not qualified to meddle in such matters. She didn’t want Evelyn to get involved either.
“Don’t worry, I won’t expose them now. Even if I do in the future, I won’t end up dead.”
…
The next day, when Gavin opened the office door, he saw an unwelcome figure sitting at his desk. He quickly shut the door, “Boss, what brings you here?”
Evelyn gave him a disdainful look and explained what she discovered yesterday. Gavin wasn’t surprised. In a research institute left unmanaged for years, there were bound to be dirty dealings. They just lacked concrete evidence to intervene.
“This involves an underground supply chain. Boss, it’s better for you to wait until you take over the institute to manage it.”
Evelyn looked somewhat displeased…
When Evelyn returned to her office.
Harper, seeing her, looked worried and wanted to ask something but didn’t dare.
Evelyn stared at her for a while, then shook her head, indicating that she hadn’t done anything.
At that moment, several emails flooded her inbox.
They were messages from the underground trading market. Jonathan would send her a report every once in a while detailing the recent economic transactions and inventory movements.
Evelyn scanned through it quickly, but then her movements suddenly stopped.
Her gaze fell on a list of reagent names.
She retrieved the institute’s reagent form and compared them one by one, only to find that all those reagent names were listed on the institute’s form.
Huh!
Evelyn’s lips curled coldly. They were actually selling the reagents to the underground trading market.
Funny…
She replied to Jonathan, instructing him to hold onto the reagents.
However, just five minutes later, Anthony hurriedly entered the office.
“Team leader, Spencer is causing a scene in the lab. We can’t stop him.”
Evelyn raised her head. “What’s he up to?”
“He’s trying to finish the development of the nutrient packs three days ahead of schedule. That means speeding up the experiments as well.”
Anthony sighed, “It’s one thing to advance the experiments, but the remaining time won’t be enough for the reactions to occur properly, so…”
“So Spencer plans to assess the experiments data without waiting for the real results?” Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
Anthony lowered his head in embarrassment, “I couldn’t stop Spencer.”
“Go back and cooperate with Spencer on the experiments. I’ll handle the rest.”
Evelyn’s voice was soft but reassuring. Anthony nodded.
Government officials quickly arrived to inspect the results.
Spencer confidently conducted the experiments in front of them.
“This nutrient pack is the result of the sleepless nights of me and my team. We designed two stages of nutrient packs based on the intestinal characteristics of children, tailored for both young and older infants.”
After he finished a series of experiments and presentations, the government officials brought out two beakers of water.
These were prepared to simulate the intestinal environment of children.
If the nutrient packs were functioning properly, they would dissolve into small molecules when added to the water, facilitating rapid absorption.
Confident and nervous, Spencer dripped the nutrient packs into the beaker for young infants and waited for the reaction.
Three minutes later, success!
Next, it was the turn of the beaker for older infants, and the result was the same.
Harper looked incredulous, about to mutter a curse, when one of the inspectors angrily exclaimed, “What is this? How dare you feed children with this?”
Upon hearing this, the previously jubilant crowd’s expressions immediately changed.
Especially Caleb and Spencer, who quickly diverted their gaze to the experimental results.
The previously beaker for young infants suddenly showed signs of oil separation, forming a yellowish layer, indicating the presence of unabsorbable oil impurities. The inspector, Fiona, was known for her strictness in this circle. Especially after becoming a mother, she scrutinized all projects related to children meticulously. This occurrence of oil separation not only signaled the failure of the nutrient pack project but also meant a negative assessment from her, which would have severe consequences for the institute.
To put it bluntly, it meant no future collaborations. Caleb was well aware of Fiona’s influence. If she voiced her dissatisfaction, not only would government projects be lost, but many private partners interested in government collaborations would also terminate their contracts.
Caleb glared fiercely at Spencer.
“Fiona. Perhaps I mistakenly grabbed the wrong sample. Please wait a moment, I’ll fetch another one.”
Fiona reluctantly nodded. “Hurry up.”
Spencer rushed off almost immediately, praying for success this time.
The experiment proceeded quickly for the second time, and initially, the results seemed successful. However, within five minutes, oil separation occurred once again.
At the same time, a faint oil stain appeared in the beaker for older infants.
“Our cooperation with the institute ends here,” Fiona declared firmly, then she began scrutinizing the experimental records, quickly finding instances where Spencer had estimated the results.
“Do you not realize that estimating results is the most shameful behavior in the research community? How dare you conduct experiments on children? I will contact the research association and thoroughly discuss the severity of this matter.”
Once the research association intervened, Spencer would be finished for good. He’s terrified and pale.
Seeing his desperate state, Caleb deliberated for a moment before walking up to Fiona, “This matter is purely Spencer’s personal actions and should not implicate the institute.”
“Of course, the institute also bears responsibility for inadequate supervision. We will reflect on this and provide you with an explanation.”
Spencer’s expression turned fierce, “Caleb, it was your proposal to estimate the results in the first place. You can’t just wash your hands of it now!”
Caleb couldn’t possibly admit to that, and the two began arguing on the spot.
With Fiona’s previously softened expression, she looked at the two men and then turned aside to send a quick email on her phone.
“I’ve informed the Research Association. Considering our past cooperation, I’ll give you half an hour to provide an explanation.”
The term “explanation” naturally meant revealing the mastermind behind the incident.
Once Fiona left.
“Caleb, don’t even think about escaping responsibility in this matter.” Spencer directly confronted Caleb now.
While Caleb pondered his next move, Evelyn approached and led him to a corner.
“Perhaps I can help you out of this mess with Spencer,” Evelyn whispered.
Caleb immediately became wary, “Are you really being so generous? Evelyn, let me tell you, just one Spencer can’t touch me. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of the situation, think twice.”
“I’ve thought it through before coming to you.”
These past few days, she had Jonathan look into the underground trading records of the research institute. The quantity was immense, and without Caleb’s help in concealing it, it wouldn’t have remained hidden.
Although she hadn’t inherited the institute yet, it was still her property.
Evelyn took out her phone and flashed the evidence she had against Spencer in front of Caleb.
“This time, Spencer doesn’t have any evidence, and neither do you. If he doesn’t let go, will the position of R&D director still be yours?”
In the institute, countless individuals eyed Caleb’s position.
Caleb couldn’t refute her. He knew that if he got hold of those things Evelyn showed, Spencer would have no chance of turning the tables.
After hesitating for a moment, Caleb reluctantly spoke, “One hundred thousand. Sell me those things.”
“One hundred thousand?” Evelyn exclaimed, “Is the esteemed head of the research department really this stingy?”
“Then it’s better than selling these things to your competitors. When they become department head, let’s see how much they’ll give me.”
“You dare!” Caleb threatened but also feared Evelyn would really do such a thing, “Five hundred thousand, no more.”
Evelyn’s gaze turned cold, “Ten million.”
Caleb was dumbfounded. His total assets amounted to just over ten million, she sure knew how to demand a lion’s share.
“There’s no room for negotiation.”
“If Minister Caleb thinks it’s not worth it, shall we seek evaluation from someone else?”
“Shut up.”
As time ticked away, he finally relented, “I’ll do it.”
“You give me the evidence first. Once everything’s settled, I’ll transfer the money to you immediately.”
“Do you think I’m stupid, Minister Caleb?”
“You have less than ten minutes to transfer the funds to me.”
Seeing her unwavering demeanor, Caleb gave up completely and reluctantly transferred the money to Evelyn.
Evelyn waved her hand, “By the way, welcome to future cooperation.”
“Don’t worry, next time I’ll give you a twenty percent discount.”
Twenty percent, eight million!
Caleb was on the verge of bursting with rage.
When the time was up, Fiona returned promptly.
Caleb vented all his frustration caused by Evelyn onto Spencer, throwing out all the evidence.
Spencer looked at the evidence, completely stunned. Without a chance to argue, he was taken away by both the Research Association and the police.
“Minister Caleb, although there may not be another opportunity for cooperation in the future, you did well this time,” Fiona praised generously.
Caleb nodded, his expression grim, racking his brain to think of ways to salvage the cooperation. Suddenly, a pleasant voice sounded in the laboratory.
“Fiona, please wait.”