Xaviera smirked. “You were close with Zack before, don’t you know how wealthy his family is? He could buy this whole lab, let alone a few instruments.”
But I knew Zack’s family situation better than anyone. He couldn’t even afford a single one of these instruments, much less an entire lab full of them.
Seeing they were about to act, I cried out anxiously, “You can’t afford this, put it down!”
Zack only sneered. “You’ve never seen my world. To me, it’s just breakfast money.”
The moment Xaviera raised the instrument to smash it, I lunged desperately, reaching to snatch it from her hands.
But Zack and Professor Laird held me down together, forcing me to the ground.
A loud bang echoed through the room. Xaviera laughed as, one after another, the instruments were smashed into twisted ruins.
These machines were priceless, ones I always handled with the utmost care, yet now I could only watch helplessly, pinned to the floor, as she destroyed them piece by piece.
My chest felt as though it were being torn open, while the three of them looked on, relishing my torment.
By now the entrance was crowded with members of the institute. Someone finally couldn’t help but speak up. “Isn’t this going too far? Why not just talk things out, why resort to violence?”
Unbothered, Xaviera turned to the onlookers, loudly explaining, “What’s the big deal? This vicious woman killed my Sissy and she still dares to claim this whole room as her own. I’m just helping her face reality.”
Professor Laird nodded approvingly. “Exactly. She’s nothing but a disgrace, a failure. What right does she have to show off?”
Meanwhile, Zack spotted the only intact glass tube left on the table. He picked it up and twirled it between his fingers, curiosity flashing in his eyes. “And what’s this?”
Panic surged through me. “Put it down!”
Zack and Xaviera exchanged a knowing look. Zack turned the tube over in his hand with idle curiosity, then sneered. “Why so nervous?”
Xaviera chimed in with mocking sweetness. “Oh, must be some priceless treasure! What now? Are you going to say it’s worth millions?”
In truth, it was worth far more. This was Bulwark Group’s latest breakthrough, practically beyond price.
Panic surged through me and I cried out, “Give it back! No amount of money could replace this!”