Chapter: 528

"You need to remove your mask and hat. That's not how we dress here in the institute," Sheri demanded, leveraging her position as the leader of all project teams.

Norah spun around, her dark gaze locking onto Sheri's.

"Can't you understand? I don't work here, so you can't boss me around," Norah said with a flawless accent, carrying a hint of Lochdeer's inflection.

“If you're not part of the staff, why do you have such freedom to roam around the institute? If you don't explain things now, you're headed straight to the police station!"

Sheri expected Norah to break down, adding, “Better take off that mask and hat now. It'll be easier on you when the police get here."

"Miss Avila, she is really an esteemed guest of the director," a researcher softly cautioned, but Sheri paid no heed to the words.

"Stop defending her! She could be a spy here to steal our research.

Don't let yourselves be fooled!" Sheri's confident words made some people pause, unsure of what to believe.

They knew the director had asked them to leave the woman in black alone, calling her an esteemed guest, yet her exact identity remained undisclosed, prompting them to question Sheri's assertions. After all, as the leader of the project teams, Sheri's words carried weight, didn't they?

"A spy? Could that be her intention?"

"Is she really here to steal data?"

"Would Miss Avila make such a claim without basis?"

ALL the researchers present lowered their heads at Shelton's words.

Shelton had been working at the institute for years, and he had been involved in numerous projects over the years. Everything he did was in the best interest of the institute, a fact acknowledged by all the researchers, including Sheri.

Shelton repeated his request, not wanting to upset Norah, “Sheri, apologize to this lady. Be sincere with your words."

Shelton's authoritative words reverberated in Sheri's ear, rendering Sheri belatedly grasp the depth of Shelton's fury. Though reluctant, Sheri's knowledge of facing the consequences of Shelton's fury drove her to bow to Norah. “I'm sorry, ma'am. I shouldn't have called you a thief without reason."

Despite her words, Sheri didn't recognize her mistakes or her rudeness. She wrongly blamed Norah for ignoring her and failing to greet her. If Norah had, she wouldn't have presumed Norah wasn't a staff member of the institute, causing this misunderstanding.

Sheri added, “It was all my fault. Please forgive me!"

Sheri bowed her head, giving off the impression of being humble.

"I do not forgive you," Norah replied flatly, her cold voice devoid of any emotion. Unable to help herself, Sheri glowered at Norah.

Norah exuded a faint chill, her arms crossed as she looked down at Sheri.

Norah turned, not even glancing at Sheri when addressing Shelton, “Do not waste my time."

Then, Norah walked toward her own laboratory, leaving a gaping Sheri in her wake.

Shelton quickly followed Norah and apologized once again, “Ma'am, it is our fault. Sheri just returned from communication at the headquarters and is unaware of your identity. I apologize on her behalf. Please don't be angry."