CHAPTER 212: THE PROTEST

Victoria stood amidst the wreckage in her lab, her face red as she looked around; broken glassware, scattered papers, and ruined equipment lay in a chaotic mess around her. She clenched her fists, taking deep breaths to control the fury threatening to consume her. She wanted to strangle Laura but held herself. Across the room, Laura stood beside a lab bench, her arms wrapped around herself as she eyed Victoria with a mix of scorn and smug satisfaction. "I can't believe you'd let this place get so run down, Victoria. It's a hazard waiting to happen." Victoria's eyes narrowed. "Don't even try to spin this, Laura. You know exactly what you did." Laura's lips curled into a mocking smile. "What did I do? It would help if you were delusional. I just got here." The anger Victoria had been holding back surged forward. "You're lying!" she spat as she closed in on Laura, about to smack her face. "I'm not letting you get away with destroying my life's work." Laura's expression hardened, but