Just as Felicia was about to answer, the woman turned her sharp gaze to Rebecca, asking with thinly veiled disdain, "Professor, why are you bringing outsiders to the research lab? This is a highly classified area."

"Outsider? This is my granddaughter!" Felicia was visibly displeased, her usually warm voice carrying a note of warning.

The woman sized Rebecca up with cold, calculating eyes, like studying a specimen under a microscope.

Rebecca maintained her composure, ...