The next morning, Aria arrived at the restoredboratory as usual.


    Laura took the day off today and didn’te.


    Ethan’s shoulder was injured, so he didn’t show up, either.


    The gunshotsst night were so loud that everyone in the base knew Ethan had tried to shoot Aria but ended up getting taken down by her instead.


    Now, people in the corridor averted their eyes from Aria, as if she were a terrifying monster.


    Luna followed Aria with a spring in her step and said every now and then, “Aria, are you thirsty? Would you like some


    water?”


    A momentter, she asked, “Aria, are you tired? How about a short break?”


    Aria found Luna’s chatter annoying. She shot Luna a nce and motioned for her toe over.


    Luna’s eyes


    lit up. She immediately leaned in and whispered, “Are you going to give me a new mission?”


    Aria nodded and said coolly, “Observe who’s staying voluntarily and who’s being held against their will.”


    Luna was taken aback and asked in confusion, “Are you trying to rescue them too?”


    She thought, ‘With this high level of security, it is impossible to get everyone out!


    Luna immediately persuaded Aria. “Don’t be reckless. If this blows up, none of us will be able to leave.”


    Aria said, “With security this tight, we can’t escape alone. We need allies. Your task is to identify potential allies. You should carefully determine who are loyalists and who aren’t.”


    Luna pondered for a moment and realized Aria’s words made sense. She nodded solemnly. “I’ll get it done.”


    She continued, “I’ll start by figuring out who’s who in ourb.”


    She decided to first identify them and then pick out the most skilled and resourceful ones, get them on board, and plot their escape together with them.


    Luna immediately spun around to strike up conversations with the others.


    Aria finally had some quiet. She turned back to theb bench and advanced the experiment ording to her idea.


    Two hourster, Aria injected some medicine into theb mouse and ced it in the incubator.


    Aria observed in silence as theb mouse twitched slightly before lying limp and motionless.


    Just then, theb door swung open.


    Flynt’s right-hand man rushed in and walked straight toward Aria. He said, “Ms. Saxon, Mr. Hartley needs you right now.”


    Aria continued writing something without even looking up. “Can’t you see I’m busy?” she said tly.


    The subordinate grew visibly anxious. He raised his voice and said, “Mr. Hartley is having an episode. Dr. Murphy refused to


    He first went to Ethan, but Ethan refused him. Ethan said, “Aria injured me. Flynt not only didn’t pursue but also threatened me. Since he values that woman so much, ask Aria to treat him.”


    In the end, the subordinate had no choice but to call Flynt, and Flynt asked him to listen to Ethan and then hung up.


    After a full minute of puzzling it over, the subordinate realized what Flynt meant and immediately rushed off to summon


    Aria.


    Aria turned her head and raised an eyebrow. She asked, “Flynt is sick?”


    The subordinate was caught off guard by her blunt question. Under her direct gaze, he nodded stiffly and replied, “Yes.”


    He thought, ‘If Mr. Murphy weren’t really sick, there’d be no reason for me toe get her. That answer should be good enough.’


    Aria said, “Okay. I’ll take a look.”


    The subordinate breathed a sigh of relief.


    Aria waved at Luna, who was talking happily with a male researcher not far away. Seeing Aria’s wave, Luna immediately came over with the man.


    Aria said, “You record the data.”


    “No problem,” Luna replied cheerfully. She then turned to the male researcher and said, “Let’s continue. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe how fast things have progressed these past few years…”


    Aria took off herb coat and strode out.