Chapter 1042

This intersection typically never had traffic officers, relying solely on traffic lights. Yet, five officers were stationed there that day, with one in the middle making standard traffic signals while four others stood at each corner of the intersection.

Not only that but four volunteers in red vests and caps stood at each corner, waving small red flags. At this hour, there were not even any pedestrians around, making the volunteers' presence completely unnecessary.

From his experience, volunteers were only deployed during official inspections or morning rush hour at crucial intersections.

Something felt off about the whole situation, and Matthew could not help but wonder what was happening in Lambda City.

While lost in thought, the light turned green. He pressed the gas pedal and

continued driving. Later, he noticed every subsequent intersection had the same setup of officers and volunteers.

The unusual situation made him increasingly sure that something major was happening in Lambda City. As he drove to the Gembrooke Building, his mind kept replaying the oddities, and he was filled with doubts.

Matthew arrived at the building at about half the usual time needed. Then, he parked his car and sprinted into the building.

Taking the elevator to the sixth floor, he emerged into the brightly lit office space. He navigated through the office area, heading straight for Emily's section.

Since Emily's arrival, the office had been divided into three areas: the main office space, Emily's specialized laboratory, and a telomerase research facility. He was now entering Emily's specialized lab.

The lab consisted of 18 rooms and a leisure area of about 300 square feet. In the leisure area, a bald man was talking with Emily.

Matthew jogged up to them and greeted, "Professor Bolton!"

Emily stood up and said, "Let me introduce you this is my former classmate, well, more of a junior. His name is Sonny Brewer, and he's the expert who helped reconfigure your exoskeleton's data."

Matthew's gaze swept over Sonny, sizing him up. With just one look, he was

convinced that this man had to be a top-tier scientist. It was not because of anything Sonny said or did—it was the sheer glare bouncing off his bald head under the lights.

Though he was not completely bald, the sparse strands of hair on his scalp looked like stray weeds on a barren field.

What made it even more amusing was how long those few remaining hairs were. Sonny had wound them around his head in layers as if the arrangement might somehow make it seem fuller.

Despite his internal amusement, Matthew had nothing but admiration for scientists He reached out eagerly and shook Sonny's hand He said sincerely, "It's truly an honor to meet you."

"Let's skip the pleasantries and get down to business," Sonny replied matter-of- factly.

Matthew shifted awkwardly. "Right, let's focus on the matter at hand."

Just as Sonny was about to speak, Emily stood up. "I'm busy and need to get back

to work. You two can talk amongst yourselves."

Sonny quickly reached out to stop Emily. "Emily, won't you stay for my report?"

Emily shook her head. "Sonny, mechanics can change people's lives, but they can't change people themselves.

"I'm trying to change people—it's a massive undertaking. I don't have time for this discussion."

Sonny paused, then nodded. "You're right. What you're doing is truly important, I—"

Before he could finish, Emily had already walked several yards away, leaving him with a dejected expression as he watched her leave.

Matthew, eager to test the

mechanical exoskeleton and verify if it could really punch through yo layers of Brick or grant superhuman strength, prompted, "Professor Brewer, let's try out the exoskeleton."