From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 A Little Shock to Slap Them Awake

“Please don’t argue because of me,” Rebecca said with tears shimmering in her eyes, a picture of soft- hearted innocence. “It’s all in the past. I’m not going to hold a grudge. Let’s just focus on our research from now on.”

Micah, still feeling a little guilty, was instantly filled with protective rage.

He immediately turned to scold Scarlett. “You didn’t used to be like this. You’ve gotten more and more unreasonable lately. It’s only because Rebecca is so kind that she hasn’t made a fuss.”

He added, “Professor Miller is here today too. Just apologize to Rebecca in front of everyone, and we’ll let the whole thing go.”

Scarlett nearly laughed out loud from how absurd it was.

The senior she’d gone above and beyond to support – was clearly blind, and apparently had his brain

scrambled too.

“Apologize? I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would I apologize? Try shaking your brain into place before leaving the house.”

Calvin had initially held out some hope. If she could admit her mistake, he was willing to give her another chance.

But now, seeing how unrepentant she was, his anger flared even higher.

“You’re saying you did nothing wrong? Fine. Let’s take a look at your experiment. If things are as they say, then pack your things and get out of my team!”

She had entered the university as the state’s academic champion. Even as an undergrad, Calvin had taken notice and given her a special placement in the lab.

She had always remembered his mentorship fondly.

So even now, though Calvin’s attitude was harsh, she didn’t defy him.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Her tone was calm, as if she already knew the outcome.

Everyone froze. That’s when they remembered a fact:

Since joining the lab, Scarlett had filed several patents each year. She had even upgraded the affiliated hospital’s medical systems and earned a reputation across campus.

Developing a cancer treatment… wasn’t out of the question.

Rebecca clenched her fists tightly, panic flashing in her eyes.

She knew Scarlett’s capabilities better than anyone.

If Scarlett was this composed, the mouse trial results had probably already shown significant breakthroughs.

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Thankfully, after seeing James earlier that morning, she had already made arrangements.

As Scarlett brushed past her on the way to the lab, she had thrown her a mocking look.

Scarlett paused and gave her a quiet, unreadable smile in return.

For some reason, Rebecca’s heart gave a hard jolt.

Was she scared? Did Scarlett know?

No

–

impossible!

“Rebecca, let’s go with her. Don’t worry, we’re all on your side,” Micah said, patting her shoulder gently.

Seeing how pale she looked, he figured she must be hurting over having to confront Scarlett like this.

“She’s the one who did wrong. Don’t let it weigh on your conscience.”

Rebecca took a deep breath and adjusted her expression.

“Yeah, I know. Thank you, Micah.”

“We’re like a big family. You’re close to my heart

—

no need to thank me.”

As they chatted, the group arrived at the far corner of the lab.

Compared to the main lab, the conditions here were harsh.

The walls were unfinished concrete. There was only a single exposed bulb overhead. The space barely measured four or five square meters, and with one lab table inside, it could hardly hold more than two or three people.

Calvin frowned the moment he stepped inside.

If Scarlett really was the kind of self–serving manipulator they claimed, how could she willingly work in a place like this?

As they walked over earlier, he had actually assumed Scarlett had set up her experiment in his office next door.

Since he traveled a lot, that office was empty most of the year.

This setup made him start doubting the accusations.

“Professor Miller, I was the one who put her here,” Micah stepped forward to explain.

“At the time, she kept insisting she hadn’t done anything wrong – just like now. As the senior here, I gave her this space to reflect.”

He continued, “I probably should’ve stopped her from continuing her experiments altogether. But we’ve worked together for years. I couldn’t bring myself to cut her off completely.”

“And instead of being grateful, she doubled down – and kept hurting Rebecca.”

2/4

As he spoke, he glanced inside the room.

Already familiar with the space, he wasn’t surprised by the size lab.

“This place looks like it was ransacked…”

-but was stunned by the condition of the

Inside, papers were scattered all over the floor. Bottles and beakers had been knocked off the worktable. The cage that housed the lab mice had fallen to the ground – its door wide open. The mice were gone.

“What happened here? Who’s been in this room?”

“Wait, hold on. To verify the truth, we only gave the keys to Scarlett.”

Micah furrowed his brow, completely lost.

Rebecca forced a pained smile.

“There are a lot of stray cats on campus lately. One of them probably got in and messed up the place. Since the mice are gone… let’s just forget it.”

She turned to Calvin with pleading eyes. “Professor, please – let Scarlett come back to the main lab. This place really isn’t fit for experiments. She must’ve learned her lesson by now.”

That statement snapped everyone to attention.

Micah stared at Scarlett in disbelief.

“You let the mice go just to destroy the evidence? You know how unstable they are during trials! If they mess with the local ecosystem, can you take responsibility for that?”

The rest of the group immediately piled on with criticism.

Calvin’s face darkened further. “Scarlett, I always thought you were a quiet, insightful student. I didn’t think you’d waste your intelligence on underhanded schemes!”

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