Chapter 280 Chapter 280 Noelle , did you see the news ? Damon asked as soon as she walked downstairs .
Noelle blinked , confused .
News ? What news ? Before Damon could respond , Kimberly turned and waved her over .
Noelle , come sit here , sweetheart .
Okay , Mom Noelle walked toward her mother , glancing back at Damon .
So , what news were you talking about ? Eli was the one who answered .
Its about a human experimentation lab .
What ? Noelles eyes widened , her heart skipping a beat .
A human lab ? She immediately thought of Atoraka Nowedon Laboratory the one she had grown up in , the one that had made her what she was Yeah , Eli said , his voice full of righteous anger .
Those monsters should be torn apart .
Using human beings for experiments what do they think people are , lab rats ! Noelle quickly moved to his side to look at his tabler .
Sure enough , the lab scandal was everywhere , trending across all platforms .
The tomments were flooded with public outrage and condemnation .
How could this happen ? she thought , panic slowly creeping in .
The labs security has always been airtight .
How did it get exposed all of a sudden ? Who leaked it and why havent they been silenced ? Noelle , are you okay ? Kimberly noticed her daughters expression darken and thought she was frightened by the news .
She hurriedly tossed Elis tablet aside and pulled Noelle into her arms .
Dont be scared , honey .
That evil organization will be brought to justice , she said comfortingly .
Evil organization ? Noelle murmured , stunned .
She turned to look at Kimberly . Mom ... you really think the lab is an evil organization ? Of course , Kimberly said firmly .
Anyone experimenting on humans , especially children , is violating the most basic moral boundaries .
They deserve to be wiped out .
Noelle didnt reply .
Her mind was spinning .
She had grown up in that lab .
Ever since she had memories , shed been pulled from one test to the next .
But she had never thought to question it .
That was simply how life was follow orders , survive .
Disobedience meant punishment or death .
But now , everyone was calling the lab evil .
If that place was a crime against humanity ... then what did that make her ? Was she just the product of a monstrosity ?
Meanwhile , Rory had found a way to contact Nicolas through his assistant Bryan , since Nicolas had blocked him directly .
In Nicolass office , Rorys furious voice practically shook the walls .
You bastard .
Are you the one who leaked the labs information to the human rights organization ! Nicolas , calm and composed , sat in a leather chair , legs crossed as he spoke lazily into the phone .
Grandfather , what are you talking about ? What do you mean , I leaked it ? Do you have proof ? Havent you had people tailing me this entire time ? Surely someone as all- knowing as you would already know if Id done something like that .
The sarcasm in his voice only made Rorys blood pressure spike .
Dont play dumb with me .
Just because I havent caught you red handed doesnt mean I dont know it was your What are the odds of the happening out of nowhere ? Nicolas let out a cold chuckle .
Then why dont you find the evidence first , and then we can talk ? He was about to hang up when Rory snapped , Dont think youre safe .
You leaked the labs secrets because you want to force them to stop Noelles emotional trial , right ? But if you dont take them down completely , once they recover , the first thing theyll do is eliminate you .
And when that happens , not even I can protect you .
Nicolass eyes darkened slightly .
Rory was sharp hed figured out the plan .
2:25 PM c d Chapter 280 Yes , Nicolas had leaked the information , hoping that public outrage would halt the labs operations .
Whether or not it would destroy them completely was still unclear .
But at the very least , it bought him time time he needed to act Still , he wouldnt admit anything to Rory .
I really dont know what youre talking about , he said casually .
There are plenty of victims .
Anyone couldve spoken out .
Why blame me ! And again no proof , no point in calling me .
Nicolas 1 Click Nicolas ended the call without hesitation .
He leaned back in his chair and smiled coldly , He ran an entertainment company with one of the best PR teams in the country experts at shaping public opinion .
He would make sure this scandal stayed in the spotlight for as long as possible .
The more people who knew about the lab , the safer he and Noelle would be .
The more the world watched , the more pressure the lab would face And as expected , just like Nicolas had planned , the lab was feeling the heat .
And Despite having financial backing from powerful conglomerates , once the international human rights organization got involved , the risk of exposure grew exponentially The higher ups issued immediate orders : all experiments must stop .
Any equipment or materials related to human testing were to be sealed .
And the infants currently prepped for trials ? Burned in the incinerator no loose ends .
Brandon , whatever you do , dont act on your own today , one of the senior researchers , Reid , pleaded with him .
Things are too sensitive right now .
He didnt know exactly what Brandon was up to behind the scenes , but he knew enough to fear him .
Brandon sat silently , eyes lowered , irritation simmering just beneath the surface .
When Reid kept nagging , Brandon finally looked up and gave him a cold smile . If you say one more word , Ill make sure you never move again .
Reid went dead silent , pale faced and trembling Get out Brandon said icily .
Yes ... sir .
Reid left as quietly as possible , and the door closed behind him .
Brandons eerie smile faded .
His emerald green eyes glinted with a murderous edge .
So thats how you want to play it , Nicolas ? he whispered Very well ....
Lets see who wins .
And finally , the day of Noelles birthday arrived .
Though the human experimentation scandal was still dominating headlines , the Andersons didnt see it as something that affected them directly .
Outrage was one thing but birthdays still needed to be celebrated .
Everyone in the Anderson family was present , and all of Noelles invited friends had arrived as well .
Just as she was greeting guests and ushering them to their seats , someone told her Nicolas had arrived .
Noelle immediately ran toward the entrance to greet him .
Nicolas she called out joyfully , spreading her arms .
Nicolas smiled and opened his arms to catch her .
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered .
Happy 19th birthday , Noelle Thank you , Nicolas She beamed , happiness radiating from her .
Yes , the lab scandal still weighed on her .
But today was her day , and she didnt want to think about anything unpleasant .
Just as the two of them turned to walk into the house together , another voice suddenly called out from behind 2:26 PM Chapter 280 Noelle .
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