Chapter 280
“Noelle, did you see the news?” Damon asked as soon as she walked downstairs.
Noelle blinked, confused. “News? What news?”
Before Damon could respond, Kimberly turned and waved her over. “Noelle, come sit here, sweetheart.”
“Okay, Mom” Noelle walked toward her mother, glancing back at Damon. “So, what news were you talking about?”
Eli was the one who answered. “It’s about a human experimentation lab.”
“What?” Noelle’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. “A human lab?”
She immediately thought of Atoraka–Nowedon Laboratory–the one she had grown up in, the one that had made her what she was
“Yeah, Eli said, his voice full of righteous anger. “Those monsters should be torn apart. Using human beings for experiments–what do they think people are, lab rats!”
Noelle quickly moved to his side to look at his tabler. Sure enough, the lab scandal was everywhere, trending across all platforms. The tomments were flooded with public outrage and condemnation.
‘How could this happen? she thought, panic slowly creeping in. The lab’s security has always been airtight. How did it get exposed all of a sudden? Who leaked it–and why haven’t they been silenced?”
“Noelle, are you okay?” Kimberly noticed her daughter’s expression darken and thought she was frightened by the news. She hurriedly tossed Eli’s tablet aside and pulled Noelle into her arms.
“Don’t be scared, honey. That evil organization will be brought to justice,” she said comfortingly.
“Evil organization? Noelle murmured, stunned.
She turned to look at Kimberly. “Mom… you really think the lab is an evil organization?”
“Of course, Kimberly said firmly. “Anyone experimenting on humans, especially children, is violating the most basic moral boundaries. They deserve to be wiped out.”
Noelle didn’t reply. Her mind was spinning.
She had grown up in that lab. Ever since she had memories, she’d been pulled from one test to the next. But she had never thought to question it. That was simply how life was–follow orders, survive. Disobedience meant punishment or death.
But now, everyone was calling the lab evil. If that place was a crime against humanity… then what did that make her?
Was she just the product of a monstrosity?
Meanwhile, Rory had found a way to contact Nicolas–through his assistant Bryan, since Nicolas had blocked him directly.
In Nicolas’s office, Rory’s furious voice practically shook the walls. “You bastard. Are you the one who leaked the lab’s information to the human rights organization“!”
Nicolas, calm and composed, sat in a leather chair, legs crossed as he spoke lazily into the phone. Grandfather, what are you talking about? What do you mean, I leaked it? Do you have proof? Haven’t you had people tailing me this entire time? Surely someone as all- knowing as you would already know if I’d done something like that.”
The sarcasm in his voice only made Rory’s blood pressure spike.
“Don’t play dumb with me. Just because I haven’t caught you red–handed doesn’t mean I don’t know it was your What are the odds of the happening out of nowhere?”
Nicolas let out a cold chuckle. “Then why don’t you find the evidence first, and then we can talk?”
He was about to hang up when Rory snapped, “Don’t think you’re safe. You leaked the lab’s secrets because you want to force them to stop Noelle’s emotional trial, right? But if you don’t take them down completely, once they recover, the first thing they’ll do is eliminate you. And when that happens, not even I can protect you.”
Nicolas’s eyes darkened slightly. Rory was sharp–he’d figured out the plan.
2:25 PM c d
Chapter 280
Yes, Nicolas had leaked the information, hoping that public outrage would halt the lab’s operations. Whether or not it would destroy them completely was still unclear. But at the very least, it bought him time–time he needed to act
Still, he wouldn’t admit anything to Rory.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said casually. There are plenty of victims. Anyone could’ve spoken out. Why blame me! And again–no proof, no point in calling me.”
“Nicolas–1
Click Nicolas ended the call without hesitation.
He leaned back in his chair and smiled coldly,
He ran an entertainment company with one of the best PR teams in the country–experts at shaping public opinion. He would make sure this scandal stayed in the spotlight for as long as possible. The more people who knew about the lab, the safer he and Noelle would be. The more the world watched, the more pressure the lab would face
And as expected, just like Nicolas had planned, the lab was feeling the heat. And
Despite having financial backing from powerful conglomerates, once the international human rights organization got involved, the risk of exposure grew exponentially
The higher–ups issued immediate orders: all experiments must stop. Any equipment or materials related to human testing were to be sealed. And the infants currently prepped for trials? Burned in the incinerator–no loose ends.
“Brandon, whatever you do, don’t act on your own today, one of the senior researchers, Reid, pleaded with him. Things are too sensitive right now.”
He didn’t know exactly what Brandon was up to behind the scenes, but he knew enough to fear him.
Brandon sat silently, eyes lowered, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. When Reid kept nagging, Brandon finally looked up and
gave him a cold smile. If you say one more word, I’ll make sure you never move again.”
Reid went dead silent, pale–faced and trembling
“Get out” Brandon said icily.
“Yes… sir.”
Reid left as quietly as possible, and the door closed behind him.
Brandon’s eerie smile faded. His emerald–green eyes glinted with a murderous edge.
“So that’s how you want to play it, Nicolas?” he whispered “Very well…. Let’s see who wins.”
And finally, the day of Noelle’s birthday arrived.
Though the human experimentation scandal was still dominating headlines, the Andersons didn’t see it as something that affected them directly. Outrage was one thing–but birthdays still needed to be celebrated.
Everyone in the Anderson family was present, and all of Noelle’s invited friends had arrived as well.
Just as she was greeting guests and ushering them to their seats, someone told her Nicolas had arrived. Noelle immediately ran toward the entrance to greet him.
“Nicolas” she called out joyfully, spreading her arms.
Nicolas smiled and opened his arms to catch her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered. “Happy 19th birthday, Noelle
“Thank you, Nicolas” She beamed, happiness radiating from her.
Yes, the lab scandal still weighed on her. But today was her day, and she didn’t want to think about anything unpleasant.
Just as the two of them turned to walk into the house together, another voice suddenly called out from behind
2:26 PM
Chapter 280
“Noelle.”
E
