Chapter 1390

"Austin, heed my advice. Don't continue with the experiment," Lily said, looking at him. "I know you want to compete with me, but this isn't the place. This experiment shouldn't…"

"Enough!" Austin cut her off, chuckling coldly. "Who do you think you are? Why would I want to compete with you? The experiment is meaningful and should continue. If you don't want to participate, leave. No one will stop you. Why destroy all the data? Who do you think you are?"

Lily was speechless. It looks like I can't convince them. Pig-headed people won't listen.

She walked to them, stared at the stern Austin and the distraught Thompson, and said blandly, "I'm nobody, but that data was mine, personally gathered. Since I created it, I can destroy it."

She left as whispers rippled through the room. No one understood what had happened or why Thompson and Lily had clashed.

"Data… my data…" Thompson snapped out of his stupor, trying to salvage the broken pieces.

"Professor Thompson! Professor Thompson!" Austin pulled him back, shouting in vain. He had no choice but to forcibly drag the professor away from the floor. "Professor Thompson, the laptop is ruined! Even if you pick up the pieces, you can't reassemble it!"

"Then what should we do?" Thompson looked despairing, staring at Austin in a daze. He appeared haggard and helpless.

"Professor Thompson," Austin said quickly, "the data is on the laptop and in the database. Even if the laptop is ruined, we might recover it!"

His words calmed Thompson, who nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes! You're right! Let's get a computer or network expert to retrieve the data immediately! We must recover it!"

Austin looked at the scattered pieces, wondering why Lily had become so extreme.

Leaving the laboratory, Lily knew the experiment wouldn't stop because of her actions. Destroying the data was merely the quickest way to delay its progress. She didn't know who was behind Thompson or their true motives, but she sensed something sinister. If Alexander were here, she could confide in him, but he was far away and in danger. Now, she had to handle this alone.

She went to her studio, tidied up, and stayed until night. Driving home, she saw the Kollins' car. Anastasia usually ate and went home by now, but she was still there.

Lily took a deep breath, composing herself. Regardless of her stress, she wouldn't burden her friends and family.

Entering the house, her son Galen ran to her, throwing his arms around her legs. "Mommy!"

His cheerful voice melted her heart. She bent down, hugging him gently. "Have you been good today, honey bunny?"

"Yes!" Galen grinned, his eyes narrowed. "I ate!"

"You're a good boy for eating your food. Have you been up to any mischief?" Lily tapped his nose, stood, and led him inside, holding his hand.