Chapter 412: Derek's Gaze Lingered on the Brand-new Instrument

"Derek, this equipment...it must be expensive?" Zach swallowed hard.

Derek's gaze lingered on the brand-new instrument. "Yeah. Very."

"How much exactly?"

"Over a million."

Zach sucked in a sharp breath.

It wasn't the price that shocked him, but the fact that Clara and her friends could casually purchase something so costly.

Three girls. Over a million.

He thought of his farming parents back home, scrimping all year round. Even in their best years, they couldn't save fifty thousand.

This single machine equaled two decades of his parents' savings.

Zach stood frozen.

Maya's cheerful voice echoed down the hallway. They were back!

Derek pulled Zach out through the rear exit.

Before leaving, Derek couldn't help glancing back.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the three girls.

Clara held a bottle of mineral water with French labeling—each sip worth three days of his meals.

Maya carried an armful of imported snacks, their English packaging glinting under the light.

Noah sipped a sports drink from packaging he'd only seen in commercials.

"Hey, what's on your mind?"

At the building's base, Zach nudged his shoulder.

Derek murmured, "Nice."

Zach sighed. "Yeah, the new equipment must be great to use."

Derek smiled.

He wasn't talking about the machine.

It was their ability to stand against injustice, to purchase what they desired without hesitation.

That feeling—it was nice.

Inside the lab—

Clara handed water to the technicians. "Thank you for your hard work."

Maya tore open snacks. "Take a break and have some food!"

* * *

Professor Miriam Caldwell learned about the incident three days later.

The elderly woman slammed her desk. "Lenora! How dare she?!"

"And you! Why didn't you tell me about something this important? I may be old, but I'm not senile yet!"

Clara quickly interjected. "Professor, what are you saying? You're still young!"

Miriam glared. "Had I known earlier, you wouldn't have needed to buy new equipment yourselves!"

Clara blinked. "The new instruments are quite efficient. Our productivity has improved."

"Exactly!" Maya nodded vigorously. "Money well spent!"

Noah adjusted his glasses. "Data confirms superior performance."

Miriam: "..."

"One word from me, ten retorts from you!"

"Hehe..."

The matter was settled.

* * *

Lenora Voss had been having a rough week.

First, Derek received disciplinary action, embarrassing her before the faculty.

Then the dean summoned her for a talk.

Not Dean Archer from administration—the actual department head.

The conversation carried implicit warnings against factionalism.

Leaving the office, Lenora's back was drenched in sweat.

She stormed to Dean. "Did you report me?"

Dean looked equally confused. "Why would I? What good would that do me?"

Lenora frowned. "Then who?"

A name flashed through Dean's mind.

Connor Hayes lacked that kind of influence.

Only one person could make the dean intervene personally...

Who else could it be?