Female Novel
Chapter 1377
Chapter 1377 Cole’s Ploy
All the researchers were in their respective laboratories performing their research to secure the nextstage of funding. That was why Rhett thought that Cole would be in his laboratory rather than in hisoffice. Seeing that Luca was so insistent, he did not say anything.
Luca walked in front of the manager’s office and knocked on the door. "Come in." A voice was heardfrom within, which made Rhett surprised.
Luca opened the door and went inside, and Rhett quickly followed behind.
Cole was sitting on his chair, dressed in his white lab coat. He smiled and greeted the woman in front ofhim,
pretending that he was oblivious to what happened in Luca's laboratory. "It's you, Dr. Craw. How can Ihelp you? Are you taking the day off again?"
Luca shook her head and told him about the situation in her laboratory.
Cole acted as though he was shocked after hearing what Luca had to say. "How is that possible? Ihope that you're not joking, Dr. Craw. Your research is far ahead compared to anyone else in thedepartment. I was planning to use your research as an example when I submit my monthlydepartmental progress report to Mr. Crawford."
Luca had an idea of what happened when she observed his expression. "I believe someone in ourcompany must have done it. Moreover, that person has a managerial position."
All the doors in the company were equipped with the most advanced security system. One could notgain access to a room without the proper access card.
The list of people who had access to Luca's laboratory was very short.
"That might not be the case," Cole said when he heard that Luca was suspecting someone inside thecompany.
"Dr. Kidman, there aren't many people who can gain access to my laboratory. Usually, regularemployees won't have the proper credentials to enter. Moreover, there were no signs of tampering onthe magnetic lock," Luca said.
When Luke set up the company, he had taken many precautions to enhance the company's security.
Cole rubbed his chin as though he was thinking of what she said.
Luca could tell that he was only pretending. His gaze was unfocused, which would not happen if hewere really thinking seriously.
A while later, Cole nodded and said, "If that's the case, we should get to the bottom of it. I'll have toreport this incident to Mr. Crawford though. You should know that the company has placed a lot of hopeon your research because it'll be the first product to go into the market. Now that this has happened,the later stages of your research and the clinical tests would definitely be delayed. I'd rather not be
responsible for that, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, I do," Luca nodded and said.
Cole raised his eyebrows when he saw that Luca remained calm instead of begging him to keep it asecret. "If Mr.
Crawford intends to point the finger at someone..."
"Whoever is responsible shall take responsibility," Luca said. She was not so stupid as to claim all theresponsibility.
Cole was surprised to hear that Luca's answer was different from what he expected. He chuckledawkwardly and said," Yes, yes, we'll have to get to the bottom of it, but before that happens and Mr.Crawford wants to assign responsibility, I'm afraid I'll have to be honest to him. I hope that you won'tmind that, Dr. Craw."
Luca smiled. If Cole wanted to play politics, she would gladly oblige. "Dr. Kidman, I believe that youunderestimate Mr. Crawford. He is a just and fair person. No single individual in the department shouldclaim responsibility for the accident, and even if a single individual takes the blame,
I don't think the rest of the department would be spared."
Cole glanced at her coldly and sized her up. Why won't she claim responsibility? She'd be more likableif she's smarter.'
He did not like Luca because he thought that she was lacking in interpersonal skills.
"I'll return to my lab, Dr. Kidman. They should have come up with a list of damages by now," she said.novelbin
Cole nodded and watched Luca and Rhett leave. He grunted coldly and dialed a number on the internalline. "Come to my office for a while."
"Yes," Talia replied.
Cole ended the call, took out his phone, and found Jason's number in the address book. He rubbed hischin as he considered the extent of his responsibility if he were to make the call.
He had intended for Luca to take all the blame, but not only had she said that she would not claimresponsibility, her responses had also angered him.
Someone would have to claim responsibility. If Luca was not willing to do so, the responsibility mightfall on him.
Talia entered the office and closed the door. She noticed that Cole was frowning, so she asked, "Whathappened, Dr.
Kidman?"
"That thing I told you to do. Are you sure that you didn't leave any evidence behind?" Cole askedsternly.
Cole had tasked Talia to mess up Luca's laboratory. The reason was simple - he could not stand Luca'sarrogance.
If Luca's "mistake" affected the company's profits, her career would be over. It did not matter if she wasLuke’s woman like the rumors said.
Cole knew that Luke was not someone who would be so easily charmed by women. To Luke, thecompany's profits were more important than anything else.
"I swear that I didn't." Talia smiled knowingly when she saw how anxious he seemed. She leaned overand whispered into his ear, "You have nothing to worry about, Dr. Kidman. How could I have left anyevidence that I was there? Even if they knew I was there, isn't it normal because I'm your assistant?"
She knew that the security camera in Luca's laboratory had broken down, and she had tampered withthe security camera in the corridor.
Of course, Talia was only willing to do that because she bore a grudge against Luca.
If Luca had been willing to help her, she would not have traded her body for the assistant position. Shethought that her career would be smooth-sailing once she had become Cole's assistant, but just whenshe had the chance to go to New York to pad her resume, Luca had snatched the chance away.
Words could not express the hatred and jealousy Talia felt for Luca. When she saw that Cole waslooking for some way to get rid of Luca, she had suggested that idea to him.
Cole envied Luca because she had more funding and manpower. When he heard Talia's suggestion,he immediately agreed to it.
Cole nodded when Talia said that. He had specifically told Talia to destroy the cultures in the laboratory."We'll have to inform Mr. Crawford about this incident. There's no turning back now."
Talia nodded. "Don't worry, Dr. Kidman. No one will suspect us."