In the end, the debate concluded with Thea's red plan being adopted. After all, she was the one who had endured the extreme challenges, and Felicity regretted not being able to adjust it to green.
Just when Thea thought she could finally enter the real testing phase, a serious problem arose.
"Felicity, please, just try a little longer—this suit is too tight!"
"Thea, exhale. Relax. Follow my lead—inhale, exhale!"
Student Thea Queen made a mistake that was neither too big nor too small: she had a habit of simply "accepting things as they were" and lacked the investigative spirit to seek practical solutions.
This anti-gravity suit was originally designed for pilots. Its principle relied on a pressure regulator to inflate airbags that compressed the body evenly, protecting circulation and increasing resistance to intense gravitational forces.
Theoretically, it should have been more than sufficient for Thea's skateboard, which wouldn't exceed 400 kilometers per hour.
However, an overlooked issue arose. All the available suits had been designed for male pilots and had a snug fit. This posed a problem for Thea, as the suit did not properly accommodate her figure.
I don't know if it's because I'm growing again, if it's the effect of daily martial arts training, or if the supplement Mrs. Shiva gave me has some extra ingredient, but either way, my measurements are changing rapidly...
After struggling to put the suit on, Thea finally managed—only to realize that the back barely closed and the front was too short, leaving her midriff exposed.
If this were a fashion show, it might have been an interesting look, but exposing her skin to 400 km/h winds while skateboarding was out of the question. She knew that after a while, she would need shelter just to stay warm.
"Felicity, this suit is way too tight. We need to find a solution. It's hard to breathe..." Thea stood still, not daring to move. She had never felt so uncomfortable before, but now she understood the problem.
Felicity picked up a small pair of scissors and, with a mischievous smile, suggested, "Want me to make some adjustments for better ventilation?"
Thea rejected the suggestion immediately. From Felicity's playful grin, she had no idea what else she might be planning.
Finally, after managing to remove the anti-gravity suit, Thea sat at her desk, relieved. The fabric wasn't breathable, and the heat was unbearable.
Determined to solve the issue, she contacted the weapons research and development team. She claimed that a pilot friend needed a suit adapted for women and requested improvements in breathability.
On the other end of the line, the team had no urgent projects, so they promised to deliver the new version within three days.
After hanging up, Thea was still organizing her thoughts when she noticed Felicity, still laughing at the situation. Before she could respond, another voice interrupted her.
"Thea..."
She turned and saw Laurel, dressed in professional attire, calling her. What could she want?
"Hey, long time no see! What brings you here?"
Laurel didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced around.
"You two talk. I'll go check on something in the software department," Felicity said politely, smiling as she walked away.
"Thea, you need to take a look at this document. It's a new case United Innovation just received." Laurel handed her a thick file.
United Innovation was where Laurel worked. The name suggested a high-tech organization, but in reality, it was a law firm made up of newly licensed attorneys. With few connections and little influence, they relied on donations to stay afloat. If it weren't for Tommy organizing fundraisers, they would have shut down by now.
If anyone else had brought this case, Thea might have ignored it. But Laurel wasn't a stranger. Oliver and Tommy had ties to her, so Thea felt compelled to listen. She took the document and began reading.
The client was Derek Leston. The photo showed a middle-aged man with graying hair, an ordinary face, a small family, and a seemingly uneventful life.
Seeing nothing unusual, Thea turned the page.
"Hmm..." She paused and carefully read through the file for ten minutes. Then, with a sigh, she understood why Laurel had come to her.
Derek Leston had been an employee of Queen Group. His former workplace was now Thea's base of operations. He had worked at the Queen Steel Plant in the software division for fifteen years as a foreman.
The trouble had started in 2007 when the steel plant shut down due to Star City's economic downturn. Fifteen hundred employees, including Derek, were left unemployed.
Unfortunately, Queen Group had found a loophole in the union contract, allowing them to avoid paying severance and pensions.
This was unacceptable. This wasn't just about money—it was about accountability. It was understandable why Oliver wanted nothing to do with Queen Group, seeing them as part of the problem.
Thea glanced at the termination date—it had been signed by Robert Queen before his fateful trip.
She didn't want to be held responsible, but could she really just ignore it?
She nodded, silently thanking Laurel. She knew this wasn't something that could be swept under the rug. And Laurel, like many who fought for justice, wouldn't let it go.
By coming to her first, Laurel was giving her a chance to handle the matter before it became public.
If this scandal were exposed, it would severely damage Queen Group's reputation and her mother's political career. Moira Queen might try to cover it up, but Thea couldn't ignore her conscience. She had to find a fair solution.