CHAPTER 4: CONFLICTS IN THE LAB

"Enough talking; it's time to work," a thin old lady appeared at the laboratory door, holding several documents. "Good morning, Professor Julia," the students greeted her, pushing Victoria forward and allowing her to interact more with Professor Julia. Victoria thanked them for their kindness and slowly approached Professor Susanna, saying, "Good morning, Professor Julia, I'm back." Professor Susanna looked at Victoria with a severe look, then smiled, "You seem to be in good spirits. I hope you can work with this good spirit." Victoria smiled brightly and nodded, "I will, Professor Julia." Professor Julia clapped and exclaimed, "Alright, children, back to your stations. Today is a good day for Victoria's return. Let's use perfect experimental results to welcome her back." The students were thrilled and returned to their positions. Victoria asked somewhat nervously, "Professor, where should I go?" She was prepared to do odd jobs because it was a process every newcomer in the lab had to go through. When Victoria first entered the lab, she did odd jobs for over a week. "Go back to your original position," Julia handed her the documents, "these are the enrollment procedures you need. I've already taken care of them for you. Stay in the lab with peace of mind. But I must make it clear to you, now that you're back, don't leave easily. I don't want to hear you finding excuses to leave the lab again. You can do anything: travel, vacation, or even have a baby, but you must not leave the lab." Victoria was touched, "Okay, Professor Julia, I will work hard and not disappoint your expectations." Professor Julia smiled again and hugged her gently, "Welcome back, my child." Victoria returned to her experimental table. Not much had changed; her things were still there, and the table was immaculate. She was delighted to be back; she was quite ready to set things right now that she was back. "Professor Julia kept this position for you all this time," Sarah leaned over, "Professor Julia organized your experimental table for you. She said you would come back. We all thought you wouldn't, especially after you married into the Ashbourne family." Victoria apologized, "I'm sorry, I was too stubborn." Sarah shook her head, "No need to apologize, Victor. I respect your choices. When you left, I wished you well, and now that you're back, I still welcome you, but..." Victoria noticed Sarah's solemn expression and asked, "What's wrong?" Sarah whispered, "Amelia didn't come today. If she had, she would have surely made trouble with Professor Julia and argued with you." Victoria knew Amelia; she joined the lab after Victoria and was very talented but had a bad temper. She didn't like Victoria and often picked fights with her. Victoria didn't want to argue with her, so she tried to avoid confrontation in the lab as much as possible. There had been a few instances where Amelia and Victoria had almost crashed; it had taken Professor Julia's entrance into the lab to evade such a fight. Since Victoria had such an encounter, she did her best to stay as far off as possible. Today, Amelia wasn't in the lab, and Victoria thought she might have left, too. "When will she come?" Victoria asked. "I don't know," Sarah shrugged. "She said she had been too tired recently and wanted to rest for a few days, so she asked the professor for leave. You know, the professor has always favored you and Amelia, so usually, she approves Amelia's leave requests." Although Professor Julia liked Victoria very much, Victoria should have taken advantage of this to avoid trouble in the lab. Victoria was usually the most reliable person in the lab. She was intelligent, diligent, and willing to help others, so everyone in the lab liked her. But Amelia was different. She came from a wealthy family and was very smart but had a bad temper and often got into arguments. Her biggest issue was with Victoria. "It's okay, I won't argue with her," Victoria thought. She could have done it now if she had gotten along with Amelia peacefully before. However, whatever Victoria thought, Amelia didn't know the same. Amelia arrived in the afternoon while Victoria was cleaning her experimental table. She saw Amelia, dressed in designer clothes, standing before her table. Wearing sunglasses, Amelia disdainfully said, "Oh, isn't this Lady Ashbourne? How come you're in our little lab?" Victoria replied calmly, "I'm here to do experiments." Amelia slammed her hands on the table, displeased, "Since you've left the lab, you shouldn't return. You're not welcome here." Victoria liked peace, but it didn't mean she had no temper. "Amelia, I didn't come back to argue with you. If you have something to say to me, wait until break time. Now it's working hours; please go back to your experimental table." "Traitors shouldn't use good experimental tables," Amelia blocked Victoria, "you shouldn't do experiments here; you should go to the utility room to do odd jobs!" Victoria frowned, "Amelia, please don't waste my time." Amelia sneered, "It's really funny. You've been gone for over three months; why didn't you think you were wasting time then? And for you, coming back to the lab is a waste of time, right? After all, you're a vain woman." Victoria clenched her fists, "Amelia, I'll warn you again, stop it!" Amelia momentarily took aback, then laughed, "What, you want to hit me? The professor hates violence in the lab. If you hit me, be prepared to be kicked out of the lab." "My lab also doesn't allow anyone to quarrel or bully other students inside," Professor Julia appeared beside them at some point, "Amelia, go change your clothes back to the lab coat. This is a place for experiments, not for showing off your new sunglasses and clothes." Amelia bit her lip and said resentfully, "Okay, Professor, I'll change my clothes now." Professor Julia nodded, then said, "Both of you, focus on your experiments and try to show me successful results as soon as possible. Don't waste precious time on meaningless things." "I understand, Professor," Victoria said. Professor Julia glanced at them again before going to another experimental table. Amelia glared at Victoria hatefully and threatened, "You wait and see, I'll make you leave the lab sooner or later." It felt too right to laugh at Amelia's reaction and threat, but Victoria felt a deep pity for her instead. She wished to learn why she was on edge, perhaps a family issue. Victoria smiled, "Professor Susanna said no bullying in the lab, Amelia. Have you forgotten what the professor said so soon? Or do you want the professor to repeat it?" Amelia snorted and went to the changing room with her bag.