When fate plays its hand
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Chapter 0264

“Sandy, is it gout?” Miranda asked.

“How did you know?” Sandy was surprised.

“Dr. Young has it, too,” Miranda explained. “I’ve got a herbal medicine formula for it. It won’t cure it, but it works well for pain and has fewer side effects than modern medicine.”

Sandy’s lifeless eyes lit up instantly. “That’s great! Can you share it with me later? I’ll get the medicine from the pharmacy after work. Thank you so much.

“You don’t know how much this means. My mother–in–law couldn’t sleep all night due to the pain. Painkillers didn’t help, and I couldn’t do anything for her. If this formula really works, I’ll treat you to a meal.

Miranda smiled. “No need for a meal. It’s just a small favor.”

“Have you noticed that since Mimi started working here, she’s always been able to solve our problems? She’s like our laboratory’s little 9 uck charm,” Silas said offhandedly.

Bryan had just walked in and caught the end of the conversation. “What good luck charm?”

Sandy explained, “He’s talking about Miranda. She’s beautiful and talented, like a lucky charm.”

Bryan nodded and was about to agree when Elizabeth suddenly stood up, looking panicked. She said, “My computer’s been tampered with. All the data on my hard drive is gone.”

“What?”

“Did we get attacked by a computer virus again? That shouldn’t be possible.” Silas went to his computer. The IT guy upgraded our firewall. It shouldn’t…”

Sandy immediately turned on her computer.

For a moment, the atmosphere inside the laboratory became tense.

Silas said, “My data’s fine. How about you, Sandy?”

She replied, “Mine is fine too.”

They both looked at Bryan and Miranda.

Bryan said, “I’m fine over here.”

“My data’s fine too,” Miranda announced.

Since Elizabeth was the only one who had lost her data, Sandy asked, “Have you checked if it was saved to another drive?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I’ve looked everywhere. It’s not there.”

Everyone exchanged worried glances.

Sandy said, “How is this possible? Everyone else’s computers are fine. Only yours has a problem. It

doesn’t make sense.”

Chapter 0264

+25 BONUS

Elizabeth said solemnly. “The problem isn’t with my computer. Only that specific data is gone.”

Silas hesitated and asked, “What do you mean by that? A vague suspicion began to form in his mind.

She took a deep breath. “What I mean is that my data was deleted on purpose.”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Silas’s expression turned grim. “Lizzy, if you’re going to make an accusation like that, you need evidence.”

Elizabeth replied, “Dr. Quinton, I don’t want to make such accusations either. We’re the only ones here, and I don’t feel good suspecting anyone. But if there’s no other explanation, it’s hard to believe that everyone’s data is fine except mine.”

“Well…” Sandy hesitated.

Silas said nothing.

Elizabeth’s suspicion seemed the most probable. Yet, it also carried the most severe implications.

He asked, “So, who do you suspe

The question made everyone uneasy.

Elizabeth looked around and finally fixed her gaze on Miranda. “This has never happened before. But since she joined us, there’s been a string of issues. It’s only natural for me to have these doubts, right?” Her accusation was aimed at Miranda.

Miranda looked up and met Elizabeth’s eves b

Elizabeth quickly averted her gaze.

Sandy thought for a moment. She would typically stay silent, but this time, she said, “Intentionally deleting data is a serious offense.

“Miranda has been with us for a while, and I trust her. There might be a misunderstanding. We shouldn’t Jump to conclusions or accuse anyone too soon.”

Elizabeth was surprised to see Sandy, who usually kept to herself, standing up for Miranda.

Silas nodded in agreement. “Miranda is thorough and reliable. I don’t believe she’d do something like this either.”

C