At Lu Xia’s question, a hint of hesitation appeared on Klaus’s face.

He couldn’t be certain. Although he wasn’t responsible for this, he couldn’t guarantee that no one else from the Fertility Research Institute was involved. After all, he was only the Vice-Director.

"I’m sorry, Duke Lu Xia. I still think this is all a misunderstanding. Perhaps he’s trying to frame someone."

Hearing this, the young male immediately retorted, "Director Lunen told me to do it!"

Since the man had already named his superior, it was impossible for Klaus to argue. The Institute did indeed have a Director Lunen, who primarily researched reproduction and superpower fusion.

The moment he heard the name "Lunen," Klaus knew there was nothing more to explain. His expression turned grim. "My apologies, Duke. I was not aware of this matter. If Lunen is responsible, we will certainly give you a satisfactory explanation. Could you hand this person over to us for handling?"

"No," Lu Xia refused flatly. "He has already pointed to Lunen as the one who sent him. The specific investigation is an internal matter for your Institute. As for him, he will remain here with me. I’ll give you three days. After three days, I expect a satisfactory explanation. Otherwise, I will make today’s events public. I imagine the Fertility Research Institute would not want its public image to be tarnished."

Lu Xia’s words were absolute. Klaus nodded. "Very well, I understand. I will give you a satisfactory response within three days."

After the call ended, Klaus immediately went to the Director’s office.

The moment he pushed the door open, he saw Lunen sitting with the Director. He instantly understood that this was likely not Lunen’s doing alone.

He looked at the Director and said bluntly, "Duke Lu Xia has captured the person Lunen sent."

The Director’s brow furrowed, his expression souring. A second later, he snapped, "What kind of person did you find? So unreliable."

Lunen immediately defended himself. "I didn’t expect this to happen either! He’s done this sort of thing many times before."

Klaus’s brow tightened as he listened to their exchange. "How could you do something like this? Don’t you know this is illegal?"

The Director looked at the agitated Klaus, his expression darkening for a moment. "Wasn’t I doing this for the good of the Fertility Research Institute? Duke Lu Xia has twice had cubs without going through our Institute. What channels did she use to have them? And her partners are all males who were transformed from rejects into Gene Fusion Experts. Wouldn’t cubs bred with such males possess special attributes? Don’t you want to know the answers to these questions? I would have loved to obtain their blood samples through legal means, but Duke Lu Xia kept refusing. What choice did I have?"

With that speech, the Director not only rationalized his actions but also painted himself as a tragic, misunderstood figure.

Klaus wasn’t buying it. He said, "Well, you’ve been found out now. Duke Lu Xia has given us three days. If we can’t give her a satisfactory answer in three days, she will publicize the matter. You can deal with it as you see fit."

Leaving them with those words, Klaus turned and left the office, wanting no further part in the matter.

The Director stared at the pale-faced Lunen, his expression grim. After a moment of silence, he said, "This incident cannot be allowed to implicate the Fertility Research Institute."

With just that one sentence, Lunen knew what he meant. He looked at the Director in disbelief. "But you told me to do this! You should know that if this gets out, my career is ruined! You can’t do this, Director."

"Then what do you want me to do? Should I just abandon the Fertility Research Institute’s reputation? Lunen, you can’t back down at a critical moment like this. But don’t worry. As long as you step forward and resolve this, I will find ways to give you more resources in the future. If we can’t do it openly, can’t we do it privately? As long as I’m in this position, you won’t have to worry about your future."

"Really, Director?" Lunen looked incredulously at the Director behind the desk.

’He knew the Director was probably just saying this to placate him, to make him the scapegoat. He also knew he could refuse, but the consequences of refusing weren’t much different from being the scapegoat. Either way, his life’s research was likely over.’

’He suddenly regretted ever agreeing to do this for the Director.’

Seeing Lunen waver, the Director knew he had been persuaded. "Go and get ready," he said. "Come with me to see Duke Lu Xia and beg for her forgiveness. Perhaps there’s still a chance to turn this around."

Lunen’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at the Director, his voice filled with apprehension. "Will Duke Lu Xia let us off?"

"It’s up to us to try. We have to give it a shot. Go and get ready. We’ll go over tomorrow."

When Lunen went out, he found that Klaus hadn’t left.

Knowing he was waiting for him, he walked over and asked, "Are you waiting for me?"

Klaus turned to look at him, his eyes filled with disapproval. "You were foolish. Why would you do something like that?"

Lunen wiped his face. "I must have lost my mind. I believed the Director’s words... I never thought it would turn out like this. Klaus, I think I’m finished."

"You certainly were foolish. The only thing you can do now is sincerely beg for Duke Lu Xia’s forgiveness. Maybe there’s still a chance to salvage this."

"The Director just agreed to take me to see Duke Lu Xia tomorrow. I hope I can earn her forgiveness." In truth, Lunen no longer held out much hope.

Klaus sighed and patted his shoulder, not offering any empty words of comfort. At this point, all consolation was meaningless, especially since Lunen had brought this upon himself.

「The next day」 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The Director of the Fertility Research Institute took Lunen to Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion.

They had informed her half a day in advance that they were coming, and Lu Xia did not refuse them.

After the butler showed them in, Lu Xia looked at the two older males and said, "Please, have a seat."

This was the first time either of them had met Duke Lu Xia in person.

They had only heard rumors about Duke Lu Xia before. Seeing her in person, they were surprised by her elegant and gentle aura.

Sensing their gazes, Lu Xia raised a slight eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong?"

The Director quickly spoke up. "No, it’s just... you’re not quite what I imagined."

Lu Xia gave a soft laugh. "Is that so? And is that why your Institute thought I was an easy target, sending people over time and again to harass my two cubs? Is that right?"

Lu Xia’s words spared them no dignity. It was clear that her way of handling things was not nearly as gentle as her appearance suggested.

The Director’s expression stiffened. "I am truly and deeply sorry for causing you unnecessary harm."

Hearing this, Lunen also hurriedly spoke up. "Duke Lu Xia, I am incredibly sorry. I was responsible for all of this. I will accept any punishment you see fit."