Chapter 241
When Noelle came to find Bennett, she was instantly met with a swarm of lab coats–d
now around her
The moment they spotted her, they rushed over like a tidal wave.
-doctors, researchers, assistants–swarming around him and
“Mass Anderson!”
“Our mirade girl!
Noelle blinked, completely overwhelmed as she found herself surrounded in layers. She looked at them, puzzled. “Uh / what’s going on?**
They were staring at her like she was a holy relic. Not even the doctors at Atoraka–Nowedon Laboratory had been this enthusiastic.
One of the female researchers grabbed Noelle’s hand, beaming with excitement. “Noelle, you are our goddess. Af you free tomorrow? Can you come back? We’ll pay your appearance fee–whatever it takes”
“Appearance fee! Noelle echoed, bewildered
Before she could even figure out what that meant, another man–smiling like a shady uncle–added enthusiastically. “Noelle, why don’t you become our regular volunteer! The pay’s great, and the food here is top–notch
At the mention of food. Noelle’s eyes lit up. “Really! The food here is that good?”
The moment she showed interest, everyone locked in and replied in unison, “It’s amazing!”
“Our chefs are world–class. Doesn’t matter what kind of cuisine you like they’ve got it covered. And the ingredients Premium, every single one.
“Noelle come be a regular! The food alone will make you never want to leave
Noelle clearly wavered. “Is it really that good?”
“The best! C’mon, join us!”
“Well” Noelle smiled brightly. “If the food really is that good. I guess I could-
Just as everyone thought they had her hooked, Bennett elbowed his way into the circle and clamped a hand over her mouth.
He flashed the group a warning smile. “Alright, that’s enough. You guys trying to recruit her like she’s a kid at a candy stand?”
The lab team wasn’t having it. “Bennett, what the hell? She was about to agree to be our regular!”
Yeah, let her finish!”
Noelle batted at Bennett’s hand in protest.
Bennett, sighing at how she was about to sell herself for a decent meal, leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Unless you wanna be a lab rat again, zip İL”
The words lab rat jolted Noelle’s memory, and she instantly sobered.
Being a volunteer meant endless testing—again.
She blinked a few times, then fell silent and still.
Seeing that she’d cooled off, Bennett turned back to the group. “Didn’t I already tell you! Her appearance fee is sky–high. She can earn 3 million dollan just selling one song. You think you can match that kind of rate for test subjects?”
That shit everyone up. They exchanged helpless glances.
The lab did pay well–after all, human testing came with risk. But even top–tier volunteers barely fetched a million.
If Noelle was pulling in three times that for a single song, there was no way they could compric
They couldn’t let a subject like Noelle slip through their fingers. Someone who could handle the test for fifteen minutes without flinching! She was basically made for this project.
Chapter 241
Noelle glanced at Bennett, tugging his sleeve. “Bennen…”
She was about to say she wouldn’t mind coming in every y now and then.
But before she could speak. Bennett’s hand was already on her head, ruffling her hair.
With a laid–back tone, he said, “She might come back occasionally, but you all saw it–money’s not an issue for her. And she’s my precious line sister, so if she does help out, I expect everyone to treat her like gold”
“Of course!”
“Noelle’s a national In
| treasure—wed never treat her badly!“
“Bennett, come on, do you really think we’d mistreat her? We’re all friends here!
Pleased with the reaction. Bennett smiled warmly.
“Well, that’s all I needed to hear. It’s getting late, and if I don’t get her home soon, the family’s gonna chew me out
That did the trick–everyone stepped aside immediately.
Then get going!
“Drive safe, take care of Noelle!”
“Hope to see you again soon. Noelle!”
Noelle waved at them all, still marveling. The warmth of these people really surprised her.
They weren’t like the cold, clinical staff back at Atoraka–Nowedon Laboratory. There, the doctors treated humans like objects–if a subject broke. they tossed them out without a second thought.
Even when she passed all the tests back then, the only reaction she ever got was a cold, mechanical, “Approved”
But here!
These lab coats actually felt human,
They had warruth. Emotion. It was strange–but nice.
The staff walked them all the way to the car. As Bennett opened the door, they all waved enthusiastically. “Noelle, we’ll have more delicious food waiting next time!”
Noelle beamed. “I like meat, Lots of it!”
“No problem!”
“We’ll have the head chef prepare his specialty just for you!”
“Il fast the day before just to make room!”
“Don’t do that! Not good for your health!”
As they kept chatting, Bennett finally spoke up, amused, “Alright, alright. You can all talk next time. Let me get her home first.”
“Got it. Drive sale!”
They cleared a path and waved 25
“Noelle, see you next time!”
the
car pulled away.
“Bye, everyone!” Noelle stuck her head out the window, waving with both hands as they drove off
A few minutes later, once they were on the road and out of sight, Noelle leaned back in her seat, grinning,
“Bennett, I think your lab people are really different from the ones I used to know
Eyes on the road, Bennett andled. “Different how!”
“They feel more… human, I guess? Like they actually care”
2/3
Chapter 211
Bennett chuckled. “So you don’t dislike them?”
“Nope. Not at all”
“Good,” he said calmly. “If you’re going to be involved in these tests, I want you surrounded by people who treat you well. That way, you won’t have to constantly be on edge.”
Noelle froze for a moment.
She turned her head and stared at Bennett with wide eyes.
“What?” Bennett glanced over, amused. “Why’re you looking at me like that?”
Noelle, still staring like she’d seen a UFO, mumbled. “Bennett… you sound like a good guy right now. It’s weird. I’m not used to it”
Bennett thought to himself, Wait… so in her eyes, I’ve always been the villain?
