Chapter 905: A Fire

Madilyn didn't ask about it, and since it was late, she left. Roxanne, exhausted, went to bed early.

The next morning, a ringing phone woke her. She opened her eyes, saw she had ten minutes until her seven o'clock alarm, and wondered about the call. Sitting up, she answered, "What's up, Dr. Galloway?"

"The research institute is on fire!" Colby exclaimed nervously.

Roxanne was instantly alert. "I'll be right over!"

"Hear me out first. I've already called the fire department," Colby added.

But Roxanne had already hung up. After washing, she rushed to the institute without makeup. She dreaded the loss of the medicinal herbs she'd placed there the day before. With Herbscape Group seized, replacing them would be nearly impossible. Anxious, she sped to the institute.

Firefighters were already battling the blaze. "You're here," Colby greeted, hurrying to her. Roxanne nodded, her gaze fixed on the flames. "What's the situation? Have they found the cause?"

The institute held numerous medicinal herbs and flammable materials, making fire prevention crucial. Roxanne had never known of a fire there before.

Colby's expression was strange before he composed himself. "We haven't had time to investigate. I arrived early, smelled smoke while unlocking the door, and the fire was already intense. I called the fire department, then you."

He ventured a guess, furrowing his brow. "Probably a misplaced item. I should have checked everything before leaving yesterday."

Seeing Colby blame himself, Roxanne reassured him. "It wasn't your fault. No one could have foreseen this."

The fire captain emerged, and Roxanne hurried to him. Colby tried to speak, but she was already gone. He stared blankly, his face hardening in displeasure.

Approaching the captain, Roxanne asked anxiously, "Hi! Is the situation serious? Do you know the cause?"

Wiping sweat from his face, the captain shook his head. "We can't say yet. It'll be difficult; institutes like yours have many flammable materials." The materials were already ashes.

Disappointed but grateful, Roxanne thanked him. "Thank you for your help."

He nodded indifferently. "It's our duty."