“Let me see your IDs," the guard standing nearest to the car demanded in a stentorian voice.

Apart from his uniform and his strong build, there was nothing to distinguish him as a security guard. He did not carry any weapons, not even a baton, and just stood there with bare hands.

However, Jack could tell at a glance that the security guards stationed at the front door of No. 1 Research Institute were martial arts masters of level one.

As for Jack, he deliberately suppressed his real strength so that no one could recognize him as a level four ancient martial arts master.

“Miss Jenkins

Jack called out hesitantly, wanting to ask her what to do next. Obviously, no one except staff members of the research institute were allowed to enter.

Jack kept one hand on the steering wheel, in case Maria wanted him to enter the building by force.

When he turned around to see her reaction, however, he found that she had rolled down the window and stretched out her hand towards the security guard.

What Maria handed to the guard was not ID card, but her red phone. Whatever was on the phone screen must have astonished the guard, because his face instantly changed.

He Looked up from the phone at Maria, and recognition filled his eyes. Then he stepped back and saluted her.

“Thank you for your cooperation. Please come in.”

The guard's attitude had done a 18@-degree turn from hostile to respectful. He spoke politely, and with a smile.

Pushing his curiosity aside, Jack focused on driving into the institute.

Following Maria's directions, Jack took a few turns and finally stopped in front of a building which seemed to be the main building of No. 1 Research Institute.

“Stay here. I'll be back soon," Maria said simply, as if this just an ordinary part of her day for her.

“Well... Yes, Miss Jenkins,"

Jack answered blankly. Now that he was alone and the car was parked safely, he began to think about why Maria was so familiar with the No. 1 Research Institute of Broome University.

There were several elevators in the lobby of the main building. Two of those were public elevators, while the rest were reserved for staff or cargo and so on.

Without so much as glancing at any of these elevators, though, Maria walked straight towards an inconspicuous corner of the Lobby.

In that corner was a separate elevator that was almost hidden from sight.

There was a single letter "S" written on top of the elevator, with no further explanation.

There were no buttons at the side of the elevator to operate it, but the elevator doors slid open after Maria tapped something on her red phone.

After entering the special elevator, Maria didn't need to do anything.

The elevator doors closed automatically and the elevator went straight up, not stopping until it reached the 28th floor.