Chapter 238
"Yes, Director Saria."
"I've heard about that incident; it was a very ill-considered experiment. Our responsibility at Rhine Lab is to advance science and technology as a whole. This requires steady, step-by-step progress, and we cannot act impulsively for the sake of convenience or speed."
"They all blamed me before for not strengthening oversight in this area. As long as I'm here, I will never let the same thing happen again at Rhine Lab!"
"Director, thank you on behalf of Joyce."
Hemo bowed in thanks, then took out Ifrit's Medical Record from a stack of documents, glanced at it, and deciphered it:
"The Chimera surgery has yielded remarkable results. Ifrit's Originium levels in her blood have decreased significantly, with no side effects or sequelae. Apart from refusing to take her medication, all her physiological indicators are within a controllable range. Director Saria, I also want to thank you for frequently taking the time to visit her. Ifrit's mental state is much more stable than before."
After a period of observation, she will be free. Whether she stays, goes home, or goes with Rhodes Island will be entirely up to Eve.
Saria beckoned with her finger and took the Medical Record report from Hemo. Before becoming the head of the Rhine Lab Defense Division, she was a top medical student:
"Hmm, not bad. Based on the treatment data from this study, it's already at a very high level. It's better than similar projects in other countries. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as a miracle."
Saria has the authority to speak on this point. She was the one who carried Eve from the Haidon Pharmaceutical laboratory back to the Structure Department for treatment. She knows the severity of Ifrit's condition and how she recovered to her current state.
Hemo was flattered by the praise and lowered her head shyly, staring at her toes.
"Actually, it's not as amazing as you say."
"Don't be too modest, Researcher Hemo. You and your team have already achieved remarkable results. I know many researchers have privately expressed their dissatisfaction with your infected status. I can assure you that you absolutely deserve credit for this project and will not be treated unfairly."
Her efforts had not been in vain, which deeply moved Hemo, and her voice trembled slightly.
"Thank you, Director Saria..."
"Don't always use honorifics, just call me Saria."
"Huh???"
Hemo's reaction was a bit strong; her face flushed red.
"Is this really okay?"
"Certainly."
"Sera... Reya."
"Yes, I'm here. What's up?"
Hemo quickly covered her flushed cheeks and turned away from Saria's astonished gaze.
"I'm sorry, I... I was a little out of line just now."
"No, I just don't quite understand why you have such a strong emotional fluctuation?"
Hemo didn't turn around, but explained with his back turned:
"Don't you know? You and Kristen, two young scientists, founded Rhine Lab, which became a legendary story in the scientific community."
When I was in university, I greatly admired Rhine Lab, considering it a temple of science. You two are also scientists I greatly admire. Back then, my biggest dream was to join Rhine Lab. I never imagined that one day I would receive praise from my idols. This is simply...it's like a dream."
Saria then realized that Hemo had always idolized her. She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say, so she changed the subject:
"Hmm, Researcher Hemo. I remember you just said that Ifrit might be going to Rhodes Island?"
"Yes, Ifrit suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder related to the laboratory environment and the researchers in white coats. It's difficult for someone to grow up healthily and happily in such an environment."
There are children on Rhodes Island; she should get along better with kids her own age. They've also reportedly taken in survivors of the Locken Water Tank experiments, so they're definitely more experienced in caring for children than the Structure Department.
Saria nodded upon hearing this, but did not reply.
Hemo knew she cared about Eve, and after a moment's hesitation, she offered words of comfort:
"Director, you don't need to worry. Rhine Lab has established a deep cooperation with Rhodes Island. Joyce and I will be among the first researchers to be exchanged to the island. With us looking after Ifrit, there won't be any problems."
Rhodes Island...
Upon hearing those three words, Saria's expression changed slightly.
She recalled many recent events, all of which seemed to be related to this unremarkable pharmaceutical company.
Saria saw the news about Rhodes Island in yesterday's newspaper. They supposedly stole the Beach Umbrella Company's patented formula and destroyed their workshop.
Outsiders might be confused, but Saria knows exactly what kind of company the Beach Umbrella Company is.
A Pharmaceutical Companies that trains so many thugs is definitely not a respectable company.
Have any Rhodes Island personnel arrived recently?
Hemo shook his head and denied it:
"No, they're probably busy with something these next few days. Eve has asked me several times when that older brother is coming."
"You can rest assured, Master. Rhodes Island will pick up Ifrit before leaving Trimon. The Director General personally called Director Parvis and spoke to him about this."
Kristen.
Upon hearing the name of this old friend whom she hadn't seen for several years, Saria's eyelids began to twitch violently.
Why is this research fanatic, who's always been obsessed with the Starry Sky, acting a bit strangely lately?
First, she deleted the surveillance footage, then she talked to the Rhodes Island people on the rooftop for an hour. Now she's personally ordering Eve to be sent to Rhodes Island. I have a feeling she's hiding something from me, plotting something big.
Saria had far too little information; it was like trying to see through a fog.
Kristen wouldn't tell her anything, so she decided to go to the Maylander Society to gather information. It was said that satisfactory results could be obtained for a generous reward.
"Hemo, I just remembered I still have some things to finish, so I'll be going now."
Although Hemo was puzzled that she hadn't seen Ifrit yet, her attitude remained just as respectful:
"Okay, Director, I'll see you off."
As the two walked toward the entrance to the structural engineering department, they passed the rest area and saw a television broadcasting a report about a former employee of a beach umbrella company accusing the company of illegally manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
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In the television footage, a person, completely covered up, was hiding behind a large flowerpot. The entire shot was blurred, and the whistleblower's face was pixelated.
Not only that, the men also wore masks, sunglasses, and hats, covering their ears which could identify their race. If it weren't for their voices, it would be almost impossible to tell if they were male or female.
Such a cautious attire, ironically, adds a touch of mystery that attracts the audience.
The man pulled out his Beach Umbrella Company ID and flashed it at the TV host. Before the host could even get a good look at it, he quickly put it back in his pocket.
"Viewers at home, I'm showing my work ID just to prove that I really am an employee of the Beach Umbrella Company, so they can't disassociate themselves from me."
I swear on my precious life today, if I utter a single lie, may I be struck by lightning! May I be hit by a car or crushed to death the moment I step outside, may my entire family die a violent death!
Before joining Rhodes Island, Yue Jian Ye Yoru was the top male escort at a large male host club in the Higashi.
He was the top salesperson for several consecutive years, breaking his own record each year.
As a top male escort, the most basic language skill is knowing how to make customers feel comfortable.
If a male escort rambles on and on with praise, the customer will become even more annoyed. Therefore, playing to one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses, and omitting personal pronouns, is an essential skill for male escorts.
Yue Jian Ye didn't swear on his own life, so even the most vicious lie has no consequence for him.
The elaborate costumes and the solemn oath made at the beginning immediately piqued the audience's interest.
The host was very satisfied with the opening and, sitting on the right side of the screen, asked:
"This gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous, we believe our viewers are very curious about your background. Tonight on our 'Tonight Trimon' program, what secrets do we want to reveal about the Beach Umbrella Company?"
When asked about the purpose of their visit, Yue Jian Ye covered her head, revealing a pained expression.
"You'll never know just how ruthless and insane this Beach Umbrella Company really is!"
Because his face is covered and his expression is not visible, Yue Jian Ye can only convey strong emotions through body language. His movements appear exaggerated, but when applied to the persecuted employee, they seem somewhat realistic:
"Beach umbrellas are awful. They make us work overtime every day producing illegal drugs, and they don't even pay us overtime. We're paid meager wages, yet we're driven by criminal intent..."
The host listened to the whistleblower's vivid account without interrupting. His colleagues in the room reminded him via teleprompter that the ratings were steadily climbing.
This talk show, which airs every night at 8:30 pm, has been running for several years. However, its ratings have been very low in recent months, leading the station manager to consider canceling the program.
The host was very reluctant to part with the program, but he had no choice. Just when he was at his wit's end, someone came to his door, saying that they wanted to expose the shady dealings of a pharmaceutical company.
Years of experience in the industry allowed the host to keenly seize the opportunity, sensing it could be a major hit. If he could boost ratings, he might be able to delay the closure of this interview program, into which he had poured so much effort.
Based on the photos provided by the whistleblower, the host became increasingly convinced that the story would go viral. As for which company it was, the whistleblower said they would only reveal that on the show.
Yue Jian Ye's performance was sometimes somber, sometimes excited, sometimes sobbing, and sometimes angry. His body language was exaggerated, but the audience seemed to buy into it.
The airing of this interview program quickly caused a huge uproar among the people of Trimon.
Shi Lei and others lived on the This Ship and kept track of the evolving public opinion through mobile networks.
Beach umbrellas were the first to launch a propaganda war, retaliating in kind with the same tactics.
Now, let's see how the other party responds.
March 28, morning.
"Smack!"
Albert Wisk, the owner of the beach umbrella shop, was furious. He picked up a glass from the table and smashed it to pieces.
Judging from his angry glare, he was clearly furious about yesterday's interview.
"Good, very good, excellent!"
This was the first time the secretary had ever seen her boss so angry, and she said cautiously:
"Boss, we have notified that TV station, and they said they will take the program off the air immediately."
"What's the point of taking it off the air? The show's already aired, do you think we can just rip it out of your head?"
Wisk wasn't angry about the incident itself, but rather about the serious consequences it caused.
After the program aired last night, the stock of the beach umbrella company quickly fell by more than 20% after the market opened this morning. Overnight, billions of dollars in market value evaporated.
This is the real reason for Wisk's anger.
"Damn it, didn't I tell you to notify all the major newspapers and television stations in Trimon? How come the news about the pharmaceutical workshop still broke?"
The secretary looked bitter and stammered:
"Boss, the whistleblower didn't mention Rhodes Island, only that he was an employee of Beach Umbrella."
Please calm down. We've already hired online trolls to try and salvage the company's reputation. Also, we've heard that Rhodes Island recently established a long-term partnership with Rhine Lab. Could this be their suggestion?
Rhine Lab?
As one of Trimon's largest Pharmaceutical Companies, Wisk cannot forget this competitor.
With their backing, Rhodes Island is completely immune to ordinary petty squabbles.
If they only shut down a workshop manufacturing illegal drugs and killed over a hundred henchmen, that loss would be barely acceptable.
But now that the company has lost so much money, I really can't swallow this insult.
"Cancel all my meetings today. I want to see Mayor Benjamin in person."
"Yes, boss!"
March 29, 9:40 am
After Wisk's day of running around, smoothing things over and building connections, Mayor Benjamin, having accepted substantial bribes, summoned Police Sheriff Fero for questioning.
An investigation of the meat canning plant confirmed that police had indeed discovered a large stockpile of prohibited drugs. However, no evidence linking Rhodes Island operator was found at the scene.
Finding blood and hair left by Rhodes Island operator among corpses is an impossible task.
There was only one survivor at the scene, named Jestton Williams, who could testify that the people who attacked the factory were from Rhodes Island, and one of the killers was named 'Hoshi'.
After learning the whole story, Mayor Benjamin said that the Beach Umbrella Company had kidnapped people first, making the situation somewhat difficult.
However, after accepting Wisk's one million dollar "service fee," he began instructing Sheriff Fero to dispatch police officers to the boarding area to make arrests.
Mayor Benjamin was completely hands-off, doing exactly what he was paid for without the slightest hesitation. He ordered the sheriff to arrest him as a suspect regardless of whether there was any evidence.
The Rhodes Island warrant issue is easy to resolve. But the revelation by the person posing as a beach umbrella employee is something that can't undo the enormous financial losses caused.