Chapter 288

Dark circles hung heavily under Ryan Sullivan's eyes.

A shadow of stubble covered his jaw.

He looked as if he had aged ten years overnight.

He skipped eating and pushed a document toward Sophia.

"Mimi, this is the preliminary construction plan for the smart lab."

"I've supplemented and refined it based on the requirements you sent last night."

"A few areas could still be optimized."

"For example, the choice of containment doors."

"Considering potential exposure to harmful microorganisms or high-risk pathogens in a bio lab."

"I recommend these materials for the main door."

"I've prepared a comparative analysis across different metrics."

"Overall, the new GFRT composite material performs best."

"It offers superior sealing and malleability."

In just one day and night, Ryan had not only drafted the lab's overall framework.

He had perfected the details.

This level of work required a deep understanding of lab construction standards.

Sophia blinked. "Bro, did you cram last night?"

"Ahem..." Ryan cleared his throat softly. "Picked up some basics, and consulted a few experts."

But that wasn't the most surprising part.

What truly shocked her was—

Ryan: "I looked into it. Biosafety labs are classified by the risk level of the microbes and toxins they handle."

"The current national standard has four levels: BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4."

"Mimi, I have a bold idea."

"What?"

"These four levels correspond to four sets of containment protocols."

"Since it's a smart lab."

"Could we design four or even more lab modes tailored to these different standards?"

One such lab would be the equivalent of N labs.

Purely smart-controlled, switching modes with zero manpower cost.

Sophia's eyes lit up. "Is that feasible?"

Ryan: "Very likely."

Sophia: "How likely?"

"Eighty percent."

Sophia: "And the budget?"

Ryan was silent for a moment. "Initial estimates exceed ten million."

She fell silent.

Indeed, you get what you pay for.

"The basic civil engineering is already coordinated. We can handle that."

"Good."

"Mimi," he said, suddenly serious. "Thank you for trusting me."

"I'll skip the formalities."

"All I can promise is to execute the plan meticulously, without cutting corners."

"Bro, I trust you."

Ryan smiled and scratched his head.

"Bro, what's the estimated timeline?"

He pondered for a long moment. "...Do you need it urgently?"

"Urgently. Very urgently."

"Within two months."

"So fast?!" Sophia was astonished.

Previous construction companies had quoted over six months.

The fastest had promised four.

Ryan was saying two months?

And "within" that?

He explained: "The most time-consuming part is the civil engineering."

"Once that's done, the smart fitting-out will be quick."

This was also thanks to Sophia's generous budget.

Money makes the world go round.

It truly could buy time.

"Good! The project is yours, Bro."

"Pick an auspicious day and start as soon as possible."

"As for..." she paused, "...the amount over budget, I'll make it up ASAP."

"Just focus on building it to the best possible standard!"

After finalizing things with Ryan, she grabbed a quick dinner.

Sophia immediately updated Hannah Morse and Marcus Lawrence.

Hannah: "Sophia, don't worry about the money. I'll ask my Pops for more..."

Back in his Guangdong home, watching TV, sipping tea, and fidgeting with walnuts, Henry Lorenz: "Achoo! Achoo!"

"Are you catching a cold?"

"Nonsense! My sweet girl is thinking of me!~"

"..."

Sophia sighed before Hannah could finish. "Won't your dad have a stroke if you agree without even asking him?"

Hannah chuckled. "Don't worry, he won't!"

"Money is just numbers to him."

"What I'm asking for isn't even enough to reduce those numbers by a zero."

"..." How offensive.

But Sophia still refused. "I'll cover the amount over budget."

"But—"

"No buts. It's settled."

Final decision!

Marcus cleared his throat softly. Hannah jumped. "If you stayed quiet any longer, I'd have forgotten you were here."

Marcus's voice was low. "...Sorry I couldn't help with the funding."

His family situation didn't allow for such a large cash outflow.

It wasn't that they didn't have it, but it would be hard to explain.

Sophia smiled. "Hannah and I have the money covered."

"Your role is elsewhere..."

Marcus: "?"

Sophia: "Secure all the lab's qualification certifications within two months."

"Complete all the administrative procedures."

"Ensure there are no loopholes for anyone looking to cause trouble."

"Can you do it?"

It wasn't paranoia, just preparedness.

Professor Victoria Lowell's team's recent actions had been eye-opening.

They had also made Sophia realize these people had no bottom line.

To prevent malicious reporting, she had to consider every possibility first.

And plan countermeasures in advance.

Marcus: "Okay. Leave it to me."

...

Ryan moved quickly.

Three days later, he picked an auspicious time to break ground.

Meanwhile, back at MIT, it was also the final deadline for the lab's relocation.

That morning, everyone from Professor Lowell's team was present except the professor herself.

Even the rarely-seen Caleb Watson made an appearance.

Shane Holloway buzzed around, practically wanting to sweep them out with a broom.

"...Hurry up! It's almost noon!"

"You had all that time before and didn't move, had to wait until the last minute."

"What's the point of struggling? You still have to leave anyway!"

Hannah pretended to gag. "Why do I feel sick just hearing you talk? Did you eat shit?"

Shane: "You're the one who eats shit! Your whole family eats shit!"

He stood far away, leaning forward with his hands on his hips.

No different from a shrew cursing in the street.

His posture almost made Hannah laugh.

"Have the guts to say that closer."

Shane wanted to get in her face, but remembered the last time all three of them had stomped on his feet.

Fear instantly took hold.

He swallowed. "Well... come over here if you dare!"

Hannah smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'm coming over now~"

She started moving equipment.

Shane panicked and scrambled back, eventually hiding behind Ashley Lowell.