Chapter 685 In Cahoots


    The news of Catherine’s return to theboratory quickly spread throughout the entire building. No one


    had expected her toe back.


    However, just because the members of Marshall’s research group had no objections didn’t mean that


    members from other research groups wouldn’t cause trouble. In about half an hour, several people


    from differentboratories joined forces and gathered at Marshall’s research group’sboratory


    entrance.


    Leading these people was Paddy McLaughlin, a senior from the neighboring biology department. Their


    research project had always been one of the hottest projects at the school, second only to Marshall’s


    project, which they had long been dissatisfied with. However, due to Marshall’s reputation and the fact


    that their professor wasn’t one to seek fame, they had refrained from causing a scene.


    But this time, they couldn’t hold back. They incited several members from otherboratories to unite


    and confront Marshall’s research group.


    Themotion outside caught the attention of the members of Marshall’s research group. Upon


    hearing the news, Ciaran went out to check what was going on, and the rest of the group followed suit.


    However, Catherine remained calm, sitting at her desk and working on her experimental data.


    As Ciaran stepped outside, he saw the crowd blocking the doorway, their expressions particrly grim.


    To avoid a conflict, he suppressed his anger and calmly addressed the group. “Why is everyone


    gathered here? Aren’t you guys busy?”


    Paddy stepped forward, ring at Ciaran. “I heard that your group’s traitor has returned to the


    laboratory. Is she nning to steal data again? Hand her over right now!”


    The manner in which Paddy spoke was quite rude, and the expressions of Ciaran and the others


    turned particrly sour.


    Ronan Flynn, the second youngest member of Marshall’s research group, usually liked to work on


    experiments with Catherine and had a very good impression of her. Despite Catherine’s young age,


    she was talented, generous, and willing to teach others. Ronan was the least likely in the entire


    laboratory to believe she would do such a thing.


    Now, hearing Paddy’s nder of Catherine, Ronan exploded with rage and seemed ready to charge


    forward. ” Paddy, shut the hell up! You are just spouting nonsense!”


    Faced with Ronan’s rebuttal, Paddy had a smug and mocking expression on his face. “Oh, are you


    getting worked up now? So you also think she is a traitor, don’t you? I’ve always wondered how


    Catherine managed to steal data from theboratory alone. Could it be that you’re all in cahoots with


    her?”


    The four words “in cahoots with her” immediately stirred up Ronan. “You fucking asshole!” he


    eximed, charging forward.


    Ciaran quickly restrained Ronan. While on the other side, Paddy seemed eager for a fight, shouting,


    “Come on! Come over here if you dare!”


    Ciaran, after pulling Ronan away, red at Paddy. Although he also wanted to teach Paddy a lesson,


    he knew that fighting wouldn’t solve the problem. It would only escte the conflict.


    “What do you mean, Paddy?” Ciaran asked, his face stern. “The school is still investigating the leak.


    Without evidence, it’s inappropriate for you to pin the me on Catherine like this, isn’t it?”


    “Inappropriate?” Paddy sneered, saying to Ciaran in a sarcastic tone, She was taken away publicly by


    Mr. Farrell. Why do you have to ask me for evidence? Are you out of your mind? Or is it true, as I said,


    that you all are in cahoots?”


    “Then tell me, if Catherine really leaked the information, how could she be allowed toe to theb


    today? Wouldn’t the school hold her ountable?” Ciaran questioned. “And if she really leaked the


    data, how could she leave unscathed?” he added.


    These two simple questions left everyone stunned. As Ciaran had said, if Catherine were indeed the


    leaker, the school would be the first to punish her. Moreover, this matter was too significant, and the


    school might not even have the final say. The research project was led by higher authorities and


    involved several very important national resources. Otherwise, how could Marshall’s research group be


    so popr?


    After a few seconds, Paddy came back to his senses. Seeing the people around calming down, he


    began to incite them again. “Don’t listen to his one-sided words. Everyone knows she’s Marshall’s


    favorite student, always under his protection. After she was taken away yesterday, Marshall rushed out


    immediately. Who knows what’s really going on?” He paused momentarily before continuing, “And


    haven’t you heard from the economics department? Catherine is also Shane Breen’s student. So, it


    shouldn’t be difficult for her to be released on bail, right?”


    Paddy’s words caused quite a stir among the crowd. Those who had been wavering were now firm in


    their beliefs, thinking that Catherine had leaked the data. Themotion started up again.


    Ciaran watched the situation unfold, feeling overwhelmed. He was an academic specialist, so solving


    mathematical problems wasn’t an issue for him. However, dealing with this kind of scheming and


    plotting was not his forte. He could only secretly send someone to seek advice from the professor, but


    Marshall had gone to the procuratorate today and was not at the school. It seemed unlikely he would


    return anytime soon.


    Seeing Ciaran’s distress, Paddy felt somewhat smug and continued to incite the situation, escting


    the tension. He raised his arm and shouted, demanding that Catherine show herself. “Where is the


    leaker?” Those who hade with Paddy also shouted.


    A sudden interruption urred as the situation seemed to get out of control. ” Did you call for me?”


    Amidst the noisy chaos, the clear, deep voice sounded particrly abrupt. Someone noticed it, but no


    one paid attention. The shouting was too loud for anyone to notice such a low voice.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the room, causing everyone to look over. They saw a chair


    smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces. Themotion gradually subsided as everyone


    followed the direction where the chair had been thrown.


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    Catherine stood with her arms crossed, her expression still as cold as usual. As she noticed everyone


    looking at her, she slowly raised her eyes, her gaze sharp, sweeping over the crowd like a de. The


    scene fell silent, and her intimidating presence left everyone speechless.


    In the quiet environment, Catherine’s cold voice sounded particrly clear. ” Sorry, I didn’t speak loud


    enough. I was afraid you wouldn’t hear me. Ciaran, the cost of the damaged chair will be deducted


    from my allowance this month.”


    Ciaran paused momentarily before realizing his name had been mentioned, nodding in a daze.


    After addressing the matter, Catherine turned her gaze to Paddy. “Are you looking for me?”


    Her calm, indifferent gaze made Paddy tense up, rendering him unable to speak, feeling a tightening in


    his throat.