Sylvie listened to the ongoing discussion, and the frustration she''d felt earlier- when the topics seemed dense and imprable-finally began to ebb.


    "It''s not so bad," she said quietly. "I mainly came today to learn something new."


    Octavia was about to respond when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Elodie as Sylvie adjusted her camera.


    Her eyes widened in surprise. "Elodie?"


    Elodie heard her name and nced over calmly, saying nothing.


    "What''s she doing here?" Octavia huffed after Elodie ignored her, then turned to Sylvie for answers.


    Sylvie snapped her notebook shut, her tone neutral. "No idea."


    But the way she said it carried a hint of disdain, as if to suggest, Who knows what tricks she pulled to get in?


    Elodie, seated close by, heard every word and understood the implication clearly.


    She capped her pen without looking up. "However I got here doesn''t matter. What''s more interesting is how you managed it. That, I do know."


    Sylvie''s expression sharpened instantly, her brow knitting into a frown. The easy smile she''d worn moments before vanished.


    Was Elodie mocking her now? Did she really think she was in any position to judge?


    Alexander, for his part, couldn''t help but let out a low, appreciative chuckle, nodding as if to say, Well yed.


    Octavia bristled, having picked up on the bite in Elodie''s words. "How dare you jump to conclusions about other people? Sylvie''s way ahead of you-she earned her spot here her published research, not because of my brother. If you think you''re so capable, why don''t you write a paper that gets recognized as a ticket to an international academic


    conference?"


    Everyone had to write papers, of course, but the gap in academic achievement between them was ringly obvious. Who was Elodie to talk back?


    Sylvie didn''t respond, though she couldn''t deny that Octavia was telling the truth.


    Some people''s behavior really did show their ignorance.


    "Octavia?" a voice called from the row ahead. Jarrod had turned around at some point, his cool gaze fixed on Sylvie''s phone. "You like the Verdania time zone so much? Here early to get used to student life abroad?"


    Octavia flinched as if caught red-handed, hurriedly mumbling to Sylvie, "Let''s talkter I need to get some sleep."


    Sylvie knew Octavia was intimidated by Jarrod. She was clearly curious about the conference but wouldn''t dare ask Jarrod anything herself.


    With a helpless smile, Sylvie said to him, "It''s fine. She''s just a young girl with ambition. I''ll teach her what I can."


    Her tone had the gentle fondness of an older sister-inw indulging a kid.


    Elodie didn''t bother sparing the group another nce. The second half of the session was about to begin, and she focused her attention on therge screen at the front of the room as new materials appeared.


    This conference didn''t just explore current trends in technology—it also delved deep intondmark research and renowned journal publications from top schrs in the field.


    ncing up, Elodie immediately recognized one of the uing papers as a piece written by Mr.


    Charlie Sterling several years agmet


    She''d pored over it countless times, studying every detail, so the author''s name was as familiar as her own. The academic value of this work


    was immense, and even seasoned professionals found it challenging to digest.


    Then, the screen changed again.


    Elodie arched an eyebrow as another paper came into view. Even Alexander shot her a surprised look.


    No wonder thetest example selected for in-depth study, representing the pinnacle of academic achievement, was none other than one of Elodie''s own publications from five years ago.