Grady immediately caught the implication behind Alexander''s words, and he didn''t care for Alexander''s spective tone. Shooting a sardonic nce at Elodie- who''d just been dismissed by Waldron-he drawled, "Ms. Fielding recently submitted a first-author paper to Nature''s top tier. If we''re talking about hard work, it seems someone else could use the lesson."


    He didn''t name names, but everyone in the room knew exactly who he was talking about.


    Naylor, leaning against a nearby table, frowned slightly at Grady. He seemed surprisingly protective of Sylvie.


    Were they really that close?


    Sylvie, of course, understood the not-so-subtle subtext in Grady''s words.


    In just a few minutes, Elodie had been both slighted by Waldron and then put down by Grady, unable to muster a single retort.


    After all, facts were facts.


    Yet, as for Elodie, the whole exchange left her feeling like a frog at the bottom of a well-unable to discuss the ocean with those who''d never seen it.


    She didn''t bother to react, not giving Grady the satisfaction of a response. She simply turned and left, determined not to dignify his insinuations with any attention.


    Alexander could only shake his head. "You published two major papers five years ago. If those years hadn''t been lost, this wouldn''t just be your third. And now they''re bragging about a single paper as if it''s a revtion."


    Sylvie''stest achievement hadnded at precisely the same time as Elodie''s third publication-what a stroke of irony.


    But perhaps it was for the best. Maybe this would finally show the other side what a real paradigm shift looked like.


    Especially since, most likely, they''d had Mr. Ferguson''s guidance. That didn''tpare to Elodie''s solo aplishment.


    Even five years ago, Elodie''s work would have been difficult for Sylvie to fully grasp, let alone now, when Elodie had clearly leveled up yet again.


    Elodie herself felt nothing in particr. Life wasn''t meant to be lived without any margin for error. She didn''t regret those lost years, nor did she see any point in agonizing over what couldn''t be changed.


    Giving your heart to something wasn''t a mistake the real mistake was persisting in the wrong direction. She was simply grateful that, atst, she was working in the field she truly loved.


    Elodie nced around the summit. Even government officials were in attendance.


    Eldrion Global wasn''t your average corporation; naturally, the stakes were much higher.


    As for why Waldron had shown up in person, that remained a mystery.


    Jarrod''s arrival drew a crowd, with people gathering to exchange pleasantries and discuss business.


    Sylvie, noticing Jarrod at the center


    ket


    of attention, finally had a spare moment. Spotting Naylor nearby, she approached him. "Mr. Whitaker, about what happened earlier-Rm sorry My judgment of people wascking, and I almost dragged TerraCore Technologies into unnecessary trouble."


    She spoke inly, her gaze direct and sincere.


    Naylor looked at her. To say he wasn''t bothered by the incident would be disingenuous; apany gged for partnership risk could face immeasurable losses. He knew Sylvie had been a victim herself, but stiff..


    "As long as it''s resolved, that''s all that matters. But we''ll have to end our partnership for now."


    With pressure from VistaLink Technologies, he had no intention of forcing ties with Neural Intelligence.


    He wasn''t about to make a reckless move.


    Still, he couldn''t help but wonder why Elias had advised him to keep his distance from Sylvie''s side. His cousin never meddled unless he thought something truly mattered.


    Sylvie understood Naylor''s decision. After all, he''d bought VistaLink''s patents and


    was hardly in a position to choose freely.


    She nodded, calm andposed. "Of course. I hope next time we can work


    together without outside interference."


    With that, Sylvie left it at that.


    As she turned, she caught sight of Watts striding purposefully through the entrance.


    He was scanning the room, clearly searching for someone.


    Sensing the timing was right for a conversation, Sylvie headed in his direction.


    As soon as Watts spotted her, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Just as he was about to cross to her, she stepped into his path.


    "Mr. Aldridge," she greeted.


    Watts stopped and looked down at her.


    Sylvie noticed that the instant he heard her speak, a genuine warmth flickered in


    his eyes—a smile that reached all the way to his gaze.