*


    In just a couple of minutes, Ben ended the call. He leaned against the wall, deep in thought for a moment, before his gazended on the first-aid kit sitting on the table nearby. Taking a breath, he made his way over to it.


    Inside the kit, there was one vial left. Ben paused, hesitating, before picking up the syringe. From across the room, a man watched his actions and casually remarked, "You''d better stay in."


    Ben didn''t lift his head, though his hand trembled slightly as he held the syringe. He steadied himself, injecting the medicine into his arm. "The new form''s making strides-I have to see it for myself."


    "Do what you want," the man replied, pulling up his mask and heading out. "Just be careful."


    "Yeah," Ben replied, closing his eyes. He felt a burning pain in his chest where he''d been shot, but the sensation gradually eased as the medicine took effect.


    As the man reached the door, he paused and turned slightly, "What about the person I asked about?"


    Ben opened his eyes, looking at the man''s back. "They''re hard to reach. I just need a bit more time."


    "You''ve kept me waiting too long," the man said softly, though his displeasure was clear.


    A shiver ran through Ben, and he murmured, "It shouldn''t be much longer now." Without another word, the man walked out.


    Left alone, Ben moved to the wardrobe, pulling out a fresh set of clothes. As he changed, he removed the bandage from his chest and saw, to his surprise, that the wound had already started to scab over.


    Forty minutester, Ben arrived at the medical school. He took the elevator straight to Manuel''s office. As soon as he stepped inside and saw others there besides Manuel, a sense of unease crept over him.


    At that moment, people in uniforms burst in through the door behind him, immediately surrounding Ben. They were Brack''s men.


    Ben lowered his gaze, then looked at Manuel and Dr. Ray, feigning surprise. "Manuel, what''s going on?"


    Manuel''s expression wasplicated as he asked, "Why did you steal the institute''s data?"


    Ben felt a knot form in his stomach, unsure where things had gone awry, but he kept hisposure. "Steal data? There must be some mistake."


    "The surveince footage from that night has been restored. You were the only person who went up to the seventh floor," Spencer said with a hint of distress. "You''ve been at the medical school for almost eight years. Why would you do this? Who are you working for?"


    Ben looked even more innocent, "I admit I went to the seventh floor, but I didn''t take anything. That night was chaotic, and I was worried about the data room."


    Manuel pressed on, "Then why did you create a misleading pharmaceutical manuscript?"


    "The manuscript is just part of my personal collection. Besides, the form has always been developed by you and other professors. How could deceive everyone so openly?" Ben''s argument was solid, leaving little room for doubt.


    Manuel was about to continue when Brack, clearly out of patience, stood up and


    cut in, “Enough. Whether he''s guilty or not, we''ll find out through the


    investigation."


    With that, he ordered his men to take Ben away.