The Department of Defense guards immediately holstered their pistols, gave a solemn salute, and cleared a path for Serena.
Without so much as batting an eye, Serena put the black card away and walked through the gate.
"S-Serena..."
Isabella's beautiful eyes widened, her face a mask of disbelief as she watched Serena walk into the institute unimpeded.
Her breathing suddenly became ragged, and her lips trembled. "How... how could she... how could she possibly have clearance to enter the institute?"
Isabella's first thought was, did the Lancaster family give it to her?
But, even with their immense wealth, the Lancaster family couldn't possibly interfere
in the affairs of a national research institute.
Getting in and out of the institute required more than just a card; it also needed facial recognition...
That meant Serena couldn't have stolen someone's card. She herself, truly and without a doubt, had clearance to enter the institute.
But how was that possible?
Serena....... a country bumpkin, a bastard child that even the insignificant Wynn family didn't want, how could she?
lan was also completely dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open as he stared
blankly at Serena walking into the institute. He looked at the strange black card in her hand, unable to even begin to guess...
What was this girl's identity?
Just then, Isabella's eyes lit up. She saw the person she had been waiting hours for, hurrying toward them.
Mr. Harrison had graying hair that was a bit thin, and he wore glasses.
Despite his age, he walked with a spring in his step and seemed full of energy.
When she saw Mr. Harrison walking toward her, Isabella's eyes brightened. She immediately put on her most obedient smile and called out, "Mr. Harrison! Mr. Harrison!"
Hearing his name, Mr. Harrison gave her a quick glance, his mind racing. He responded formally, "Ah... Miss Isabella is it? The institute's regulations prohibit private you have any academic questions, please make an appointment through the university."
He spoke quickly, clearly not wanting to waste any extra time.
Isabella had originally thought Mr. Harrison had heard she'd been waiting for him for
a long time and had rushed over specifically for her.
Now, her smile froze, and the hand that was about to offer her research papers clenched into a fist.
Her lips quivered, and she wanted to say something more.
But she saw Mr. Harrison walk straight toward Serena, his attitude changing noticeably. "Miss Lancaster!"
He was used to calling her "Miss Wynn," but now he knew Serena had returned to
her biological family and changed her surname to "Lancaster."
He naturally corrected himself,
saying, "Are you rested? Your partner
just detected a small fluctuation
from the attack source. They're
probably attempting a second probe..."
As he spoke, he naturally reached out, wanting to carry Serena's bag for her.
Mr. Harrison was her elder.
Naturally, Serena couldn't let an older man carry her bag.
She subtly sidestepped him and placed a hand on his arm as she walked into the institute. "Let's talk as we walk."
The two of them quickly walked away, murmuring to each other as they went, without giving Isabella another glance.
Isabella stood frozen, staring blankly at their retreating backs. All the blood in her body seemed to rush to her face, leaving her with a feeling of shame and humiliation.
Her breathing grew more and more rapid as she recalled how, when she saw Serena that morning, she had deliberately boasted about how much Mr. Harrison liked her, how proud she was to become his student, and how, she had shamelessly offered to ask Mr. Harrison for a chance for Serena to
audit one of his classes...