Edna's voice cut through the chatter, instantly drawing all eyes to her.

"What are you up to?!" Babur, sensing mischief, stretched out his hand to pull her back.

Shrugging him off without a glance, Edna fixed her gaze on Roseanne: "Well, why the silence? Got nothing to say?!"

"So, am I to understand that your lab is operating without proper authorization, making it illegal!"

Roseanne just laughed.

Mamie and Scales joined in.

"What's so funny?!" Edna felt an inexplicable panic.

Mamie said, "Lucky for us, Roseanne had the foresight to predict that as soon as the lab was up, there'd be troublemakers popping up. So, she insisted we get all our ducks in a row. What document would you like to see, Ms. Edna? I'll fetch it right away."

"According to the 'Pathogen Lab Biosecurity Management Regulations,' Article 7: new, modified, or expanded level 3 and 4 labs, as well as the production or import of mobile level 3 and 4 labs, must compile an environmental impact report and submit it for approval as per the designated procedure. Did you manage to get this approval?"

Edna's smirk was loaded with skepticism.

The new rule was issued just last March, aimed at controlling the number of bio labs, to minimize environmental impact.

Given it was a measure of control, approvals wouldn't come easy.

Earlier this year, Professor Latonia from Twilight Peak Academy's biology department attempted to set up an independent lab. No sooner had she submitted her report than she was called in by the academy's administration, advising her to hold off.

After a three-month wait, the academy finally agreed to sign off, and the application was forwarded to a higher authority, only to vanish into thin air. Six months went by with no word.

Through some connections, Edna found out that Latonia's application was rejected right off the bat.

Hearing that Latonia hadn't given up and planned to reapply this year...

Edna was in good terms with her and knew quite a bit about the inside story, fully aware of how difficult it was to secure approval.

And there was Roseanne's team,

from receiving a fire department notice to completing their lab, all within just two months. Completing the official process in such a short time was virtually impossible!

Roseanne called out, "Mamie "

UMS

"Right here, Roseanne" Mamie turned and went inside, quickly returning with a brown leather document folder.

"Let Ms. Edna have a good look, so there's no talk tomorrow about our lab being illegal."

With a chuckle, Mamie handed it over, "Ms. Edna, please look carefully. Make sure you see it for what it is!"

Taking it hesitantly, Edna tore it open.

Half a minute later-

"This can't be! How did you manage to get approval? This must be fake!"

Mamie snatched the document

back, resealing it: "Some people become blind the moment they see evidence. No point in looking if you refuse to see!"

Roseanne sneered, "Ms. Edna, this isn't the first time you've tried to trouble us, is it?"

"From the initial CPRT, to the recent fire safety overhaul, and now slinging mud without regard to the facts."

"As the saying goes, 'Three strikes

etnoveldrama

and you're out. We let it go before, out of respect for you as an educato and acknowledging our own issues. But that doesn't mean we're pushovers, open to your repeated slander and insult

With a few sentences, Roseanne aired the grievances between them in front of everyone.

Babur inwardly cursed-bad timing!

This wasn't a counterattack from Edna; it was more like she was handing her enemies her head on a platter.

Just then, a bus pulled up, its doors opening to reveal a group of reporters armed with cameras and microphones. Checking their badges, one could see they were from notable channels-