Chapter 189: Morning Sunlight Streamed Through the Gap in the Curtains

Morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains. Clara Whitmore stood at the laboratory entrance holding two steaming breakfast bags. She had taken a detour to buy soy milk and buns from the breakfast shop Elias Mercer frequented.

The metal door slid open. Elias emerged wearing a lab coat, his sleeves rolled up to reveal well-defined forearms.

"Morning." Clara handed him the food. "Hope it's to your taste."

Elias accepted the paper bag, warmth from the soy milk cup seeping into his palms. "Thanks. Perfect timing—I skipped breakfast."

They entered the lab side by side. The sterile scent of disinfectant mingled with the hum of operating equipment.

"First, fingerprint registration." Elias guided her to the security system. "You'll have 24/7 access now."

Clara pressed her thumb against the scanner. Blue light swept across her fingertip.

"The lab never closes." Elias input his authorization code. "Come whenever it suits your schedule."

She nodded. Between preparing her thesis proposal and reviewing Professor Miriam Caldwell's research materials, her time was stretched thin.

"This is the main lab." Elias pushed open a glass door. "I've prepared a safety checklist."

Clara pulled out her notebook, meticulously recording each protocol. Glassware on the test tube racks refracted splintered light under the lamps.

"We currently have four team members—"

Before he could finish, a burly figure emerged from the breakroom. The man held a thermos where goji berries bobbed in hot water.

"Elias, who's this?" Theo Marsh adjusted his glasses, his gaze settling warmly on Clara.

"Clara Whitmore, a friend." Elias kept the introduction brief. "Professor Marsh, from the Basic Physics Department."

Clara gave a slight bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Professor."

Theo waved dismissively. "No need for formalities." He glanced at the wall clock. "The others should arrive soon."

By nine o'clock, the lab buzzed with activity. Elise Warren arrived first, her ponytail swinging as soundless sneakers carried her across the floor.

"New recruit?" She set down her backpack and retrieved a tablet. "Elise Warren, Applied Physics."

Clara noticed the tablet's wallpaper featured a young boy wearing a red scarf.

Felix Moreau burst in with coffee stains dotting his lab coat hem. "Finally finished processing the data!" Wiping sweat, he spotted Clara. "Whoa, fresh blood in our group?"

He reached for Clara's bag but froze under Elias's warning glare.

The click of high heels approached as the glass door opened again.