Chapter 960 A Leakage
“Miss Swann, it’s been a while since you provided our organization with any updates. Is our collaboration still on?”
Hearing the slightly threatening voice on the phone, Catherine responded with an aloof attitude, “Just wait.”
After delivering her words, Catherine promptly hung up the phone. She was completely unconcerned about the other party’s reaction.
On the other end, Black Robe was somewhat angered, feeling that Catherine had shown him a great deal of disrespect. In the next moment, an email automatically popped up on his computer.
Frowning, he opened the email and examined its contents. Not many could stealthily breach his computer’s firewall and pop up a message.
Catherine happened to be one of those few.
After reading the email, Black Robe smirked. He finally understood why Catherine could decisively hang up on him without fear. It was simply because she could afford to offend him.
As he gazed at the experimental data on his computer, Black Robe’s smile became brighter. He immediately sent this experimental data to his subordinates. If they acted swiftly, perhaps they could make it before the release of experiment results at Branden’s laboratory. If so, they could achieve a great victory.
“Urgent notice! Professor Hartley’s team members, please come to the conference room for a meeting!”
Upon hearing the broadcast, everyone paused their work and headed to the conference room. Passing by Catherine’s office, a few senior students noticed her buried in literature and called out to her.
Catherine lifted her head, looking dazed but adorable. “Do I need to go too?”
The senior students were accustomed to Catherine’s demeanor. They knew that she was seemingly aloof, but careless and adorable in daily life. One of them said, “You should go. Professor Hartley would emphasize if you needn’t go. This meeting is probably mandatory.”
Hearing that, Catherine put down her literature, grabbed her phone, and joined the others. She didn’t want any special treatment. Since there was no such instruction this time, she would attend like everyone else.
Arriving at the conference room, they felt that the atmosphere was unusual.
Several high-ranking officials from the university were present. Not only that, the room exuded a tense atmosphere, as if something significant was about to unfold.
Everyone tensed up and became cautious. Catherine followed two senior students to sit down, awaiting the commencement of the meeting.
Once Ultan confirmed everyone’s presence, he instructed the security to lock the conference room doors. With a serious expression, he took the microphone and said, “Everyone, the reason for gathering you here today is due to a significant incident in our laboratory. We’ve experienced a major leakage of experimental data, more severe than any previous occurrence.
This is extremely serious, concerning the entire laboratory’s glory.”
Ultan was stern, and the topic was undeniably weighty. Tension filled the conference room, as everyone sensed that something substantial had happened. Whispering conversations circulated, and anxiety gripped the room.
Finally, someone couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Farrell, what exactly leaked? We have no idea about the situation, and it seems extremely difficult to uncover the mastermind behind this.”
Another one said, “Yeah. What kind of data leaked?”
Then, a third one asked, “Is it related to Professor Hartley’s team? Otherwise, why only summon members from our experimental group?”
The room buzzed with voices, and everyone felt incredibly upset. Marshall oversaw more than one experiment, and the experimental group had multiple projects. Now, everyone wanted to know which project had encountered a problem.
Ultan sighed heavily. Then he raised the microphone and answered, “It’s the experiment on the development of the seventh-generation chip.”
After that, silence enveloped the room, and everyone was stunned. No one had anticipated that such a crucial experiment, exclusively handled by Catherine, would have a leakage. Besides her and Marshall, no one else had access.
Yet, no one suspected Catherine or Marshall of betraying the experimental group. Marshall’s integrity was well- known, having successfully completed numerous significant experiments over the years without any leaks.
As for Catherine, it was even less plausible. She was the lead researcher. The public revelation of this experiment would bring her tremendous recognition. Catherine couldn’t pass up such an opportunity.
Each researcher had their aspirations. Nobody believed Catherine would commit such an act. People began speculating about the mastermind behind the leak, but subconsciously, Marshall and Catherine were excluded from suspicion.
Catherine, originally resting with closed eyes, perked up upon hearing Ultan’s announcement.
Marshall, who had been closely observing her, felt an ominous premonition upon seeing her sudden attention. He hoped it was just a baseless speculation.
“Mr. Farrell, did you say the data from the project under my supervision was leaked?” Catherine suddenly spoke, capturing everyone’s attention.
Ultan looked at her and nodded. “
Today, I received an email report claiming that the data from your experimental project was leaked, and the leaker received a substantial bribery payment.”
After a moment of silence, Catherine spoke again, shocking everyone present. “The experimental data was shared by me, but there was no substantial bribery involved.”
Her words created an instant explosion in the conference room. Just earlier, everyone had instinctively ruled out Catherine. Yet, no one expected that she had leaked the experimental data herself. They wondered what her motive could be. She was the lead researcher, and leaking data offered her no advantages. They thought Catherine was out of her mind.
Everyone stared at Catherine with shock and disbelief. She stood there, composed as ever, and no one knew what she was thinking about.
