After Catherine left, the conference room raged. Some smacked the table and asked Ultan for an explanation. Ultan grew impatient and stood up, glaring at them. "I'm willing to give up my position to whoever can find a substitute for Catherine. Go ahead and take it."Everyone went silent at once. How could they find a substitute for a genius like Catherine in this country or even the world? Even Marshall had to admit Catherine's dominance in this experiment. As much as they wanted to, they couldn't argue with what Ultan said.The silence was long and awkward until someone couldn't bear it anymore and asked, "So we just let it be? What about the reputation of Styre University? She's gonna ruin us!"And another professor immediately echoed. "Mr. Farell, this is more complicated than it looks. We all know who Catherine's fiance is. The lab under the Duncan Corporation has the same experiment project, which has gone unnoticed for ages, but announces that it will display the results next
Rylan's face darkened. He didn't even bother to hide the contempt and disdain in his eyes when he coldly looked at her, disgusted by her bitchy ways. "What do you want?"Selene sneered. She still remembered vividly how arrogant he was just a few minutes ago. And now he was there. She felt the pleasure of winning and intentionally put on a haughty posture. However, Rylan had no patience for her. He gritted his teeth and said, "Don't dance on my nerves. Get up now, or NEVER. You know what I mean."The threat worked well. His cold gaze reminded Selene of that day and made her stomach sink. She dared not to rechallenge him cause she knew he was a maniac. He might kill her. Honestly, if it were not for his grandpa, people would be attending her funeral now. She had goosebumps at the thought of this, got up from the bed, and packed her things.Rylan picked her up at the hospital and sent her to the company in front of the staff. It created quite a stir in the company. Everyone thought S
It was tense in Ultan's office. Professors were called here to discuss the withdrawal of investment.Ultan listed all the possible situations for them and sat aside. A professor looked at the contract and frowned unpleasantly. "Five of our sponsors have decided to withdraw their investments. We'll be in big trouble if they all leave. People would think Styre is doomed."He had a point. It would be catastrophic if a chain reaction were set into motion. Styre would be in trouble if sponsors followed each other and withdrew investment. Who would have thought it was all because they expelled Catherine?As the principal of Styre, Ultan had thought about this, of course. He looked up at that professor. "What's your advice then?"That professor paused and then bitterly said, " Should we consider enrolling Catherine again? She definitely didn't want to be expelled. We can say she apologizes for the mistake and has a great attitude."Someone objected immediately. "Styre is a century-old un
Although the university didn't officially release the announcement about expelling Catherine, someone put it on the internet and caused a great clamor. Netizens made various conjectures about what she did that got her expelled.One user left a comment, saying, [Isn't she a badass? I heard Styre fancies her a lot. How come she got expelled?]Another user replied, reading, [The truth is she lived off Styre while secretly selling data to others. She deserves it.]This comment caused a lot of attention.People entered her homepage and found she was also from Styre University, like Catherine. And then, many Styre students liked her comment as if verifying her words. Everyone believed what she said.Soon, Catherine became a target. Some even commented on Audrey's account, cursing Catherine.It became a hot topic on the internet and lasted for a long time, which Catherine found confusing cause she was not a celebrity. But she became a hot topic on the internet now and then.Branden cal
The Duncan Corporation's big day arrived. Branden had sent out invites well in advance, including to notable figures like Marshall, Thomas, and Aaron.Though Karl and Thomas were meant to depart together, their ongoing rivalry meant Thomas opted to wait for Scott, instead.Karl, respecting their wishes, left for the venue alone.As Karl left, the observers in the shadows quickly relayed the change to their superiors. "Change of plans. Mr. Theo is alone, and Mr. Duncan is not with him. Shall we proceed?"After a brief pause, the command was clear. "Proceed. Target Thomas.""Got it!" came the immediate response.*****Half an hour later, Thomas and Scott finally left, bickering playfully."Dressed to the nines for what? It's not even your big day," Thomas chided."Well, you wouldn't go with Karl, and now you're giving me grief for being slow. I have to look sharp. I'm representing our side at my future brother-in-law's event." Scott shot back.Their banter continued until they
Catherine arrived at the agreed location, an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Loxton.She scoffed internally at the cliché setting. 'Really? An abandoned factory? Feels like someone's playing too much into the movie tropes.'"Got guts, coming alone," a mechanical voice echoed, gender indiscernible.Catherine looked up, her gaze sharp and intimidating. "I've got the guts to come alone. Do you have the guts to show yourself?"The mysterious person, watching her every move from behind a computer screen, aimed to negotiate. "No need to provoke me, Catherine. Just hand over the list, and I'll let your person go."'If I can secure that list, I'd be in the boss's good graces. Then taking down Black Robe would be a piece of cake,' the captor thought.Catherine remained silent, her chilling stare felt through the monitor, putting the captor on edge."Want the ledger? Show me the hostage first," Catherine demanded coldly, uninterested in playing games.The captor attempted a threat,
"You've seen them. Now, what about my end of the deal?" the captor urged, their worry about Catherine's potential backup increasing the tension.But Catherine didn't budge or utter a word, her silence and powerful aura ensuring no one dared to lay a finger on Thomas and Sccot under her watchful eyes.Time ticked away, and with Catherine still making no move, the captor, driven by impatience, activated the timers on Thomas and Scott's chests."You have five minutes, Catherine. Give me the list, and I'll let them go," the captor declared with a smug look, watching Catherine intently.But Thomas and Scott, far from pleading, seemed prepared to face death rather than compromise Catherine's safety.In a dramatic turn, Thomas feigned a seizure, spitting blood, causing immediate chaos among the guards who quickly removed his gag, desperate not to let him die before the list was secured.Once free to speak, Scott pleaded with urgency, "Release my grandfather! He has a heart condition. Yo
The chaos enveloped the entire venue, leaving everyone clueless about the unfolding events.Onstage, amidst the confusion, Paxton noticed Branden was out cold and didn't waste a moment to call for medical help. "Let's get him to the hospital, now," he ordered.Meanwhile, the Duncan Corporation's PR team swiftly took over the situation, ensuring order amidst the chaos.Zobber, in her haste to escape, kept dialing Black Robe, anxiety lacing her voice. "Did it work? Is Branden dead?"Black Robe responded at a leisurely pace, "Seems like you're quite concerned about whether Branden lives or dies.""Isn't that obvious?" Zobber snapped back, her patience worn thin. "I'm the one who did it, in front of everyone. If Branden survives, what is left for me?" "No one is more concerned about his fate than I am right now," she fumed, her anger not drawing any rebuke from Black Robe, who found her frustration more genuine and fitting to her character.Easing his tone, Black Robe informed, "Ca