Chapter 21

When Laura returned to the research facility, the dimly lit hallway was empty except for Wilbur. He'd changed out of his lab coat. Leaning against the wall, his face bore no sign of his usual gentleness. For the first time, he looked utterly defeated in front of Laura. Her heart clenched. "What did Victoria say to you?" Wilbur lowered his gaze, the light overhead outlining every flicker of his expression. "I've been kicked out of the research facility," he said quietly. "Clarence doesn't have the power to do that. That order came directly from one of the facility's major investors." Laura's mind went blank. Only two investors were funding their research facility, and only the administrators knew how to contact them. Wilbur had been personally brought in by Victoria. There was no reason an investor would name him for dismissal—not unless someone had offered them a greater profit in exchange. And that someone could only be Clarence. Laura knew exactly what being kicked out of