Chapter: 541

The researchers formed a circle around Norah, with Shelton and his assistant doing their utmost to shield Norah from the crowd. "Form a line, please. Everyone, line up," they reiterated.

If one could look past the sterile ambiance of the research institute, the scene almost mirrored that of fans clamoring for a celebrity's attention.

In the midst of the commotion, a sneaky hand reached for Norah's backpack, deftly unzipping the outermost compartment.

The hubbub was so intense that Norah remained oblivious to the intrusion. The zipper gave way silently. The thief managed to extract a bottle from within, carefully resealing the bag while simultaneously nudging the person ahead to divert Norah's focus.

Norah was not fond of such commotion. She preferred a lower profile and had only agreed to sign autographs in hopes of a swift departure.

Upon noticing a hand meddling with her backpack, her expression turned grim. The density of the crowd had made her oblivious to the theft's earlier movement until now, and she had naively assumed the integrity of the researchers at the institute.

Without hesitation, Norah flung the pen aside, seized the intruding hand, and yanked it with force, revealing Sheri in the act.

Caught red-handed, Sheri attempted to deflect. “Supernatural Doctor, why are you grabbing my hand?"

Forced out of the throng, Sheri's lab coat was disheveled, and her hair tousled. She looked at Norah with an air of grievance. "Are you still upset over what I said yesterday? Well, if that's the case, I apologize once more. I didn't mean any harm."

In her other hand, Sheri clutched a small porcelain bottle, quickly devising a plan to feign innocence and conceal the item.

Norah, her gaze icy, checked her backpack and discovered the absence of her Vitality Potion. "Give it back to me," she demanded.

The confrontation baffled the onlookers. They couldn't grasp why Norah had suddenly apprehended Sheri, demanding the return of an unspecified item.

Sheri feigned ignorance. “Supernatural Doctor, I'm not sure what you're implying. What are you asking for?"

“Enough with the act!" Norah attempted to retrieve the bottle from Sheri's grip, but she was met with evasion.

“Supernatural Doctor, what are you intending to do?" Sheri's voice was tinged with apprehension as she recoiled, seeking assistance from Shelton. "Mr. Davis, I need your help!"

Sheri, typically a commanding figure within the institute, now adopted a tone of vulnerability, prompting an ally to step forward on her behalf.

“Supernatural Doctor, could there be some misunderstanding here?"

“That belongs to Sheri, not you."

“Supernatural Doctor, please, let's sort this out calmly. Release Sheri's hand."

Despite Norah being highly regarded, Sheri's longstanding relationship with the team meant they were loath to witness Sheri's embarrassment.

Engrossed in crowd control, Shelton missed the theft unfold and was perplexed by Norah's sudden confrontation. “Supernatural Doctor, what's going on?"

Norah, unfazed and resolute, exerted pressure on a sensitive spot on Sheri's body, causing Sheri to weaken instantly.

Seizing the opportunity, Norah took hold of Sheri's other hand, reclaiming the bottle. It retained the warmth from Sheri's grip. “I would have never guessed that the head of the project teams for the research institute would stoop to thievery. This doesn't belong to Sheri. Sheri's claims change nothing!"

Sheri winced as pain shot through her, rendering her powerless, still seated on the floor. "That's my stuff! I hadn't said you stole from me in front of everyone!”