Chapter 687 New Evidence
The situation between the two sides became chaotic, and Ultan finally couldnât stand it anymore. âEnough!â he roared, and the scene immediately quieted down.
After the atmosphere calmed down a little, Ultan finally found the chance to intervene. He first glared at Marshall and reprimanded him in a cold voice. â As a professor, you should set an example for your students. Why are you arguing with a student?â
Marshall retorted, âA student? Itâs been two years since he graduated, but he still has no official title or formal employment, just lingering at the school. Whatâs wrong with me scolding him?â
At these words, Ultanâs face turned grim. Paddy felt extremely embarrassed and wished he could just disappear.
Ultan seemed to realize something. To Marshall, Catherine was just as important as his research projects. Any unjustified accusation of her would touch a nerve.
Ultan turned to Paddy and sternly reprimanded him. âThe schoolâs higher authorities will investigate any leakage of data. Before the real leaker is revealed, no one should be randomly accused as a suspect. Do you know that coming here to cause a scene will result in disciplinary action?â
The threat of disciplinary action instantly made the students causing trouble panic. They had worked hard to get where they were today. What would become of their future careers if they were disciplined because of this incident? Some of them mustered the courage to plead with Ultan to let them off the hook.
âAlright, everybody stop. Considering that you all have the schoolâs best interests at heart, I wonât pursue this matter further this time. But if it happens again, I will not forgive anyone.â
With Ultanâs command, everyone scattered immediately, leaving the scene in a hurry.
Although Paddy was unwilling, he dared not challenge Ultanâs authority, so he left with his head down. Marshall reluctantly sent his students back to the laboratory at Ultanâs signal.
After these students left, Ultan turned his gaze to Catherine. âCatherine, letâs go to the office and have a chat.â
âOkay,â Catherine replied and followed, with Marshall trailing behind.
The three of them entered Ultanâs office, where he looked disdainfully at Marshall, saying, âIâm here to talk to Catherine. What are you doing here?â
Marshall retorted directly. âYouâre talking to my student. Can I not come in?â
Catherine sat casually to the side, watching the two middle-aged men arguing, finding it quite amusing. Unlike the students who were always afraid of Ultan, she seemed completely at ease in his presence.
Ultan argued with Marshall but didnât win the argument. âFine, I donât want to talk to you!â Ultan said, then turned his attention to Catherine. âCatherine, why did you return to the laboratory today? Did the procuratorate tell you anything?â
Not even Ultan could get any information after Catherine was taken away by the procuratorate yesterday. He had to wait for the higher-ups to give him any news. But to his surprise, Catherine was released shortly after being taken away. The video evidence they found made her the prime suspect, even though he believed she wasnât the one leaking the data.
Ultan was cautious in his questioning, trying not to offend Catherine. However, she seemed unconcerned about the issue. She looked at him and said casually, âI didnât do it, and they have no evidence. How can they accuse me?â
Ultan was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang. He gestured for Catherine and Marshall to wait before answering the call.
Although Marshall and Catherine couldnât hear what was being said on the other end, both of them noticed that Ultanâs expression visibly darkened. It seemed that the call brought bad news.
After Ultan hung up the phone, he looked at Catherine with a very unpleasant expression.
âUltan, why are you looking at Catherine like that? Who called you just now, and why?â Marshall anxiously inquired.
Faced with Marshallâs urgent questioning, Ultan remained silent. His gaze turned cold as he spoke seriously, âCatherine, Iâll ask you again. Are you involved in the leak of data?â
âNo!â Catherine replied firmly without a second thought since she wouldnât admit to something she didnât do.
Hearing Catherineâs resolute answer, Ultan breathed a sigh of relief, but the weight on his mind still hadnât lifted.â Catherine, youâre in trouble this time. I just received news that there are suddenly five million dollars in an account under your name.â
Upon hearing this, Marshall snorted.â Thatâs ridiculous! Do you think Catherine will be bribed by someone with five million dollars? The Swanns donât lack money, and neither does our laboratory!â
Marshall had the confidence to say this for a reason-most of their laboratoryâs projects were worth several hundred million dollars. Their annual salaries were over a million dollars, so they certainly didnât lack five million dollars. Besides, given Catherineâs family background, she had no reason to do such a thing. The Swann Corporation itself was worth several billion dollars. As the sole heir to the Swann Corporation, why would Catherine be interested in a mere five million dollars? It was ridiculous.
Ultan also thought Marshallâs reasoning made sense, but he added another piece of news. âThe procuratorate has apprehended a spy from Rexinheim. According to the spyâs confession, our academy indeed has their accomplices, who were secretly trained in Rexinheim many years ago and were only sent back to Eskana a year ago.â
The procuratorate had looked into Catherineâs background and discovered that the Swanns had abandoned her in the countryside at a young age. She mysteriously disappeared at seven and only returned to Eskana a little over a year ago. All of this aligned with the information provided by the spy.
One piece of news after another came out, leaving Marshall speechless. However, he firmly believed that Catherine could not possibly be a spy.
In contrast to Ultan and Marshallâs troubled expressions, Catherine remained much calmer. There was even a hint of a smile on her face.
âCatherine, why arenât you the least bit nervous? Youâre in big trouble, you know?â Marshall couldnât help but ask her.
âProfessor Hartley, donât you find it interesting?â Catherine raised an eyebrow and looked at Marshall.
âInteresting?â Marshall was somewhat perplexed.
Catherine nodded. âIf the opponent is too weak, the whole thing becomes boring. Obviously, the people lurking in the shadows are quite smart.â
When Marshall saw Catherineâs playful demeanor, his previous worried expression disappeared in an instant. He slapped his thigh, saying, âThatâs my student! You are so brave! I like it!â
The scene of the two bantering left Ultan speechless. The students were unruly, while the professors were equally unreliable.
âAlright, if thereâs nothing else, you can leave. Leave me alone,â Ultan said.
âGoodbye, Mr. Farrell!â After politely bidding farewell, Catherine left the office. As she stepped out, she encountered the hurried arrival of Lorcan.
Catherine cast a smiling glance at Lorcan and asked in a low voice, âMr. Fitzpatrick, are you here to arrest me again?â