When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0616

After one month and 23 days, two biosafety level–4 laboratories that were fully equipped with smart systems were finally completed at a cost of 16 million following the winter season’s third snowfall.

Jack and his startup team conducted the final checks on the lab’s smart system. Meanwhile, the lab equipment purchased through overseas channels by Sam’s tech company also began arriving on–site.

Madison and Sebastian had been incredibly busy the past few days.

Aside from learning how to operate the smart systems from Jack, they had to do an inventory of the lab. equipment and arrange the layout. They took care of everything personally, from the placement of the lab benches to setting up the water cooler.

Apart from class, meals, and sleep, they spent nearly all their time setting up the lab.

At the Landon estate, Sebastian was walking toward the door.

“Seb, are you heading out again?” Bridget Templeton asked

“Yes, Grandma!” he answered.

“Isn’t it Saturday? You have no classes today, so why are you always running off? Don’t tell me… You’ve got a girlfriend?” Bridget’s eyes lit up.

“No!”

“Then where are you going?”

“To do something big, Grandma! I’ve got to go!”

With that, he grabbed his backpack, wrapped up his scarf, and strode out the door.

Bridget said dismissively, “Kids these days… What big thing could they possibly do?”

Meanwhile, Samuel was reading newspapers on the couch. As he sipped his tea, a knowing smile spread across his face.

As Sebastian was making his way to the lab, Madison had also hopped into a cab. “Head to Easternia, please!”

The driver asked, “That area’s all construction sites. Why is a young woman like you going there?”

Madison looked serious as she replied deliberately, “I’m going to do something big.”

On her way there, she got a call from Mason. “Hello, Dad! What’s up!”

“What are you doing right now? I miss you so much!” Mason said.

I miss you too, Dad!” she exclaimed, sending kisses through the phone.

Her kisses sent Mason over the moon with joy. However, he pretended to be annoyed and complained,” You claim to miss me, but you haven’t called. Who’re you fooling?”

16

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0616

“Oh, I’ve just been so busy. I’m so busy that my head is all over the place. I’m really super busy!”

“What are you busy with? Can’t you reveal just a little?”

“Soon, you’ll find out soon enough!”

“Are you keeping secrets from me?”

Madison giggled as Mason suppressed his curiosity and sighed. “Fine, but don’t make me wait too long!”

Madison calculated the dates and replied, “You won’t have to. Oh, I’ve got to go! I’m almost there, bye!”

“Hey… Hello? Sweetie?”

The line had already gone dead.

Mason set down his phone, feeling an odd pang of loss. He suddenly regretted agreeing to let her move up north for college.

Wouldn’t it have been fine to just study in Zyelle College here in Gulsberg? She wouldn’t have to travel so

far from them.

As he was feeling melancholic, a shout came from downstairs. “Mr. Hill, are you at home? The water pipe burst! Quick, get someone to fix it!”

The wave of emotions that welled up in Mason was thoroughly interrupted. He leaned out the window. and called back, “I got it. I’m on my way!”

With Sebastian and Madison so busy, there was no need to mention how swamped Miranda was.

Just setting up the access permissions for the smart systems took her an entire day. Miranda sat on a chair with a fingerprint scanner in front of her. Each time Jack activated an item on his tablet, she had to scan her fingerprint.

There were a total of 926 items, so she scanned her finger almost a thousand times, not counting the times she had to redo it.

By the end of it, Miranda’s fingers were so numb that she couldn’t even feel them.

In between, she had to field calls from equipment suppliers, sign for lab instruments that were shipped Internationally, verify their quantities and costs, and settle remaining balances on–site.

Miranda didn’t have a moment’s break for the whole day. She only managed to take a sip of water from her bottle after being reminded by Jack.

After a week of intense work, the lab was finally set up. Everything was prepared, so all that remained was the opening ceremony!