Chapter 237: Ch 237: Accusation - Part 2

The researcher in charge did not seem to like his words. Noah could see his eyes widening in shock and anger.

"Something to do with it? You nearly caused a serious security breach! You were assigned a simple task, yet somehow managed to let a dangerous specimen out of its container, forcing everyone to deal with the consequences of your carelessness. Do you have any idea how much trouble this could have caused us?"

The researcher raised his voice towards the end, seemingly hoping to make Noah feel intimidated by the number of people sitting around the table.

But Noah merely blinked at him, wondering whether the man genuinely believed that anyone would fall for such an obvious attempt to shift the blame.

"I was asked to deliver the container to the testing chamber, and I did exactly that. The specimen escaped because the container opened on its own, and I had to restrain it before anyone else could get hurt. If you believe I did something wrong, perhaps you should check the security records before making any accusations."

The researcher’s expression darkened at Noah’s response, and several people around the table exchanged displeased glances, apparently irritated that their carefully prepared accusations had not frightened him into silence.

"You are a newly appointed guide, yet you seem to have an awful lot to say for yourself,"

The researcher remarked before turning towards the head researcher, who had been sitting quietly at the head of the table throughout their exchange.

Or rather, it was his hologram. Who knew where the real person was right now and Noah had no desire to know either.

"Dean Reese, I apologise for having to trouble you with this matter, but given that you personally recommended Guide Noah for our team, I thought it was only right to inform you of his behaviour. I am sure you would agree that someone who cannot even complete a simple assignment without causing trouble should be disciplined."

Noah’s eyebrows rose slightly at the man’s words, as he had not expected him to go as far as summoning Dean Reese merely to deal with a minor incident.

Although he supposed that people who had already decided to make an example of him would not hesitate to involve someone with greater authority.

However, before the researcher could continue, Dean Reese finally spoke.

"Actually, I have already seen what happened in the testing chamber."

The sudden silence that followed was almost amusing, and Noah watched as the researcher’s confident expression stiffened.

"You have?"

The man asked cautiously.

"Yes. I happened to review the recording earlier, and from what I could see, Noah handled the situation rather well. The specimen was clearly in an unstable state, and Guide Noah managed to restrain him while providing the guiding he desperately needed. Considering the circumstances, I would say that preventing further injuries was a reasonable decision."

Dean Reese smiled pleasantly, as though he were merely offering an impartial assessment of the situation.

But Noah immediately recognised the subtle way he had shifted the discussion away from the supposed security breach and towards the fact that he had prevented the incident from becoming worse.

But the container should never have been opened in the first place. If Guide Noah had followed the proper procedures—"

Another researcher protested, his voice betraying his frustration.

"Then perhaps we should review the procedures that led to this situation. After all, a guide should not be expected to take responsibility for a malfunctioning container or an unstable specimen without adequate support from the research team."

Dean Reese interrupted gently.

His words were reasonable enough that nobody could openly challenge them without making themselves look suspicious, and the researcher who had initially accused Noah was forced to swallow his objections.

"Of course, Dean Reese. We will look into it."

"Good. Then I believe we can conclude this meeting without making the matter any bigger than necessary."

With that, Dean Reese stood up, signalling that he had no intention of discussing the incident any further, and Noah followed him with his eyes as he left the conference hall without offering him so much as a second glance.

It was only after the door closed behind him that Noah realised the meeting had not gone the way he had expected, although he was not entirely sure whether that was a good thing.

The researchers around him were no longer pretending to be concerned about the incident, and the resentment on their faces was far more obvious now that they could no longer use the meeting to punish him openly.

"Well, isn’t that newbie lucky?"

Someone muttered.

"Of course he is. Dean Reese personally recommended him, so why would he ever let anything happen to his precious new employee?"

Noah did not respond, knowing that defending himself would only give them another excuse to complain, and he quietly gathered his belongings before leaving the conference hall.

Unfortunately, the consequences of the meeting became apparent almost immediately.

He was already under the public eye, but this just pushed him more into the public eye.

The head researcher had not done anything but say the truth, but it was still causing Noah trouble. It made him wonder if that man somehow orchestrated all of what happened.

Logically, he knew that it was not possible. But logic did not work with the head researcher anyway. But he did not doubt his instincts either.

As he headed back to his room, he could feel people looking at him with suspicious eyes, wondering what he was planning next.

The news seemed to have spread out here as well.

’Darn it. I wanted to avoid having this reach unwanted ears, but it seems like I don’t have a choice in this matter.’

The only good situation about this whole thing was that both Alan and Daniel were out on missions and won’t be back for a while. So they won’t get involved in this mess...

Hopefully.

But knowing Noah’s luck, that might not last long either.