CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 226: OBTAINING HER BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

The massive explosion shook the entire Aetherflame Dynamics.

Caleb Shaw’s office wasn’t far from the laboratory. He was the first to kick open the twisted doorframe and rush inside.

Although the power was already out, the room was filled with thick smoke, and the acrid smell made it impossible to open one’s eyes.

"Juliana, where are you?"

"I’m... I’m here."

A weak response came from the corner.

Juliana Jacobs was being helped out from behind the console by a colleague; her hair was messy, and her cheeks were smeared with soot, but fortunately, she wasn’t injured.

"What about the others? How are they?" Caleb shouted.

"They’re okay..."

The researchers involved in the test had only minor burns, nothing serious.

However, after the smoke dispersal system cleared the smoke, they found Leo Wyatt lying beside the core test chamber.

His body was crushed under a fallen scaffold and shattered equipment, and he was no longer breathing.

The sound of police cars and ambulances grew louder, completely breaking the order of the complex...

When Jared Langley arrived at the hospital, Juliana had just finished a simple check-up.

She was fine, just dirty clothes and messy hair, looking rather disheveled.

Jared took her back to the Langley Residence, questioning her all the way about why she was so careless.

Juliana leaned against the car window, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.

The sound of the explosion still echoed in her mind, and the image of Leo Wyatt lying on the ground was indelible.

She couldn’t answer Jared’s questions, burying her face into her collar, remaining silent.

In the evening, the incident of Aetherflame’s new battery test accident had become known throughout Kenton, even causing Victor Langley to return early to the Langley Residence.

Caleb Shaw also arrived, bringing nothing but bad news for Juliana.

After hearing this, Victor Langley’s brow furrowed deeply.

At this moment, the butler hurriedly reported, "Vice Director Wyatt of Mercy Hospital has brought the police and barged straight in!"

The air in the living room instantly turned tense.

In an instant, a group of people had already forced their way into the living room.

Leading them was not the police, but rather a middle-aged man with bloodshot eyes, radiating a sense of grief and hostility.

This man was Vice Director Wyatt of Mercy Hospital.

And behind him were several stern-looking police officers.

Their stance suggested that if the Langley Family did not hand over someone, they would arrest everyone in the family.

"Chairman Langley." Vice Director Wyatt’s voice was hoarse, "We normally have no dealings, but this time Juliana owes my son a life; she must pay the price. I hope the Langley Family will handle this matter fairly and justly."

Victor Langley’s face turned livid; being confronted in his own home was an enormous humiliation as the head of the family.

Suppressing his anger, he said, "Vice Director Wyatt, I understand your feelings. As a Langley, I uphold justice and will not cover up any wrongdoing."

He then turned to the police, just about to speak when Jared quickly said, "Director Wyatt, the matter hasn’t been thoroughly investigated yet and you’ve brought the police..."

"Jared," Victor Langley interrupted him, "Two police visits in such a short period. The Langley Family’s reputation cannot withstand such strain. You must know when to cut ties."

Under his father’s authoritative pressure, Jared hesitated, glanced at Juliana, and finally sank back down in resignation.

At this point, the police stepped forward and showed their credentials to Juliana.

"According to the preliminary investigation, as the safety officer for this project, you exhibited significant supervisory negligence during the experiment, resulting in an explosion and causing a fatality. We now request you to come with us to assist in further investigation."

Before Juliana could react, Adrian Langley jumped up,

"You haven’t even shown a summons—presenting ID alone allows you to barge into a private home?"

"Adrian!" Victor Langley said disapprovingly, "Your elder brother knows how to weigh matters. Besides being reckless and stubborn, what else can you do? I’ve trained you for four years, yet you’re still not up to the task."

His words were quite harsh.

It seemed to declare Rosalind Linton and her son’s exclusion.

But Adrian Langley could not care less.

Seeing that he was about to argue further, Juliana quickly signaled for him not to speak up for her and to follow the plan.

Adrian swallowed his words reluctantly, pounded the sofa’s armrest in frustration, and turned his face away.

Juliana looked at the police calmly and said, "I want to see the documents."

One of the officers glanced at Mason Sheridan and responded, "We’ll show you once you’re inside."

Juliana squinted her eyes, "Without papers, I can’t cooperate with you."

Mason Sheridan listened and said discontentedly, "Vice Director Wyatt lost his son. You’re involved; why can’t you cooperate? Are you waiting for someone to pull strings and save you?"

His words successfully ignited Vice Director Wyatt’s anger.

"What right does a murderer have to talk about cooperation with the police? Officers, she’s the one who killed my son. The murderer is right here in front of us; you must arrest her immediately."

The police officer who had looked over at Mason Sheridan appeared troubled, then turned to Juliana, "The family is very emotional; I think it’s better if you come with us."

With that, he motioned for two colleagues to step forward to handcuff Juliana.

"Have you already declared me guilty?"

Juliana wouldn’t let them touch her hands.

Caleb Shaw stepped forward, "Cooperating with an investigation is not the same as an arrest. Everything should go through proper procedures, right?"

Vice Director Wyatt raged, "Caleb Shaw! You’re speaking for her! The deceased was my son! My only son!!"

Not wanting Caleb to be troubled, Juliana stepped away, ignoring the Wyatts, and said to the police, "I’ll go with you, but I am not a criminal; don’t put those on me."

After weighing the pros and cons, the police ultimately decided to take Juliana without handcuffs from the Langley Residence.

A faint, nearly imperceptible smile crossed Mason Sheridan’s lips. As long as Juliana stepped into the police station, he’d have the chance to obtain her biological specimens.

If she really was the person the higher-ups were looking for...

His expression darkened.

The lights in the police station lobby were glaringly bright as Juliana was about to be taken into the interrogation room when Evan Grant burst in with a lawyer.

It was clear that Caleb Shaw had notified him.

The lawyer beside Evan hurriedly took two steps forward, presenting documentation.

"Captain Wallace, my client Ms. Juliana Jacobs has yet to be formally charged and meets the criteria for bail. Here are the documents; we demand her immediate release."

Juliana’s heart twitched at the lawyer’s words.

Bail basically meant a tacit acknowledgment of potential suspicion.

"This..." The lead officer appeared troubled, instinctively glancing toward the interrogation room.

Inside, tools for collecting biological samples had long been prepared, just waiting for her to enter.

Evan Grant’s gaze was sharp, "Do you have any ’special procedures’ that must be completed during detention?"

"Absolutely not!" The lead officer replied sternly, "But in what capacity are you intervening?"

"I am her ex-husband, now her boyfriend," Evan said without skipping a beat.

The officer sneered, "Those relationships are not recognized by law."

Evan raised an eyebrow, "Whether they’re recognized or not, my lawyer knows best. If he can present the paperwork, it proves I have this right."

Both sides refused to back down, and the standoff escalated into a stalemate.

Juliana’s cool gaze fell upon the bail documents, a slight bitter smile playing on her lips.

"Evan, I don’t need you to bail me out."