At that precise moment, the grandeur of Dupont''s event erupted into full bloom.


    The massive double doors swung open, and a wave of guests surged inside, voices rising with excitement as they scrambled to im their seats.


    The atmosphere crackled with electric anticipation.


    Henry Dupont scanned the rapidly growing crowd, a smug, triumphant smile stretching across his face.


    They had finally outsmarted Kingston, beating them to the punch


    Even Kingston''s desperate,st-minute attempt at hosting their conference across the way was doomed from the start.


    Without guests, it was little more than a pathetic joke.


    Henry chuckled darkly, his heart swelling with arrogant satisfaction.


    The lord of Chicago had decisively won this round.


    Everything was unfolding wlessly.


    By day''s end, Skin Dew Essence would dominate headlines and conversations, spreading like wildfire.


    Whatever scraps Kingston mightter produce would simplynguish in the shadow of his glorious sess.


    His ambitious vision-to nket all eleven states in the resounding name of SkinDew-was within reach. "Henry Dupont! My sincerest congrattions!" Charles approached, his voice dripping with ttery, his face flushed with excitement.


    "Ah, Mr. Kingston! How generous of you to join us. Please, have a seat," Jericho said with a warm tone, though the glint in his eyes told a different story.


    He knew exactly who Charles was. A traitor wrapped in a polished suit.


    This was the man who sold out his own little sister research, handed it to the Kanes, and watched without a shred of guilt as they flipped it to Dupont.


    Now here he was, smiling like a loyalpdog at Dupont''s side.


    If he could knife his own family in the back, who on earth would he hesitate to betray?


    "Henry, your Skin Dew Essence is truly revolutionary! People can''t stop talking about its miraculous effects. Just look around-the sheer anticipation alone has drawn this crowd!"


    "Bringing top influencers and celebrities to endorse it? Masterful move! There''s no limit to how high you''ll soar now," Charles gushed, the sycophancy thick and nauseatingly obvious.


    Jericho smiled sharply. "I''ve heard you''ve been busy stockpiling quite a bit yourself, Charles. nning to ride my coattails to wealth, are you?" (1)


    Charlesughed heartily,pletely unashamed. "All thanks to your genius, Henry. A rising tide lifts alls, doesn''t it?"


    Henry suddenly narrowed his eyes, shifting the conversation with a sinister calmness.


    "Tell me, have you heard anything about Jasmine trying to pull a stunt by hosting a press conference opposite ours?"


    Charles scoffed dismissively. "She''s trying to provoke you? Pathetic. Frankly, no one''s even heard about her little sideshow. It''s utterly empty-aplete embarrassment."


    Henry''sughter sliced through the air, sharp and mercile


    1


    "No one''s even showing up- so what''s the point? Jasmine''s little stunts have always been pathetic. Did she seriously think somest-minute spectacle could revive her sinking ship? Please, she''s up against me, Henry Dupont. And she will lose. Badly."


    Charles sneered contemptuously. "She''s just frustrated, grasping desperately at straws. Clearly, it''s blown up in her face. You, Henry, are on another level."


    Henry shook his head disdainfully, the image of jasmine Kingston-so-called queen of the business world-falling from grace amused him immensely.


    She was a fool ying a losing game. "Forget about her nonsense. Let''s focus on real sess, Charles-our overflowing coffers.


    As Henry and Charles reveled arrogantly in their assured victory, certain guests in the hall began ncing toward Kingston''s venue across the way, their brows furrowing with confusion.


    Suddenly, the smartwatches on their wrists vibrated in unison.


    A shocking notification shed:


    "Dr. Joane, renowned medical expert, speaking live at Kingston Hall."


    "Is that... Dr. Joane at the Kingston conference?" one merchant muttered urgently, leaning toward his secretary.


    "It appears so, sir," the secretary replied, carefully watching themotion.


    The merchant''s heart skipped a beat.


    Dr. Joane-renowned, elusive, almost mythical in medical circles-suddenly appearing at a conference?


    Whether as a guest or speaker, it didn''t matter. Getting close to her was like securing a golden lifeline in the world of health. And for the wealthy, nothing ignited fear faster than the thought of their health slipping through their fingers.


    Dr. Joane wasn''t just a doctor-she was an insurance policy.


    "Let''s just stay here. Secure the Skin Dew products," he said briskly, trying to stay focused.


    But within seconds, unease gnawed at him. He couldn''t sit still.


    "No-wait. I need to see this for myself. You, stay here. Quietly hold our position in SkinDew stock. Don''t draw attention."


    With that, he rose and slipped out of the Dupont hall under the pretense of a restroom break, but the urgency in his steps betrayed him and sharp eyes were already watching.


    Curious eyes followed him, and a slow ripple of whispers began.


    One by one, others started to sense it-something was happening next door.


    Something they weren''t supposed to miss.


    Across the hall, Kingston''s event was meticulously prepared.


    The merchant approached hastily, eyes darting.


    "Is Dr. Joane here?" he demanded breathlessly.


    "Absolutely," a poised staff member responded warmly. "This is Kingston Pharma''stest product, the...erald Elixir, personally endorsed by Dr. Joane." Shock rippled across the merchant''s face.


    Dr. Joane never endorsed just any medicine-she was notorious for tearing apart mediocre products with brutal precision, her critiques so devastating they turned entire brands radioactive.


    Mostpanies didn''t even dare approach her anymore, knowing one word from her could sink them.


    So if Dr. Joane was backing this... it had to be extraordinary.


    Without a second thought, the merchant took the vibrant green pil handed to him and swallowed it whole.


    Immediately, potent energy surged through his veins. Aches dissolved, reced by a vigor he hadn''t felt in decades.


    "My God," he gasped, urgently contacting his secretary.


    "Forget SkinDew! Rush here immediately-we must monopolize the Emerald Elixir before anyone else discovers this!"


    As the merchant''s secretary vanished discreetly from Dupont''s conference, others began noticing the suspicious activity, their business instincts tingling argently.


    "Find out what''s happening-quickly!"


    Within moments, the Dupont hall erupted into a frenzy of whispers, ndestine inquiries shooting through the crowd like wildfire.


    Charles finally noticed the disruption, panic ring in his chest. Chairs emptied rapidly, the vibrant atmosphere dissolving into


    chaos.


    "What the hell''s going on?" Charles muttered desperately, stepping outside.


    His heart sank as he witnessed an unmistakable stream of guests making their way decisively towards Jasmine''s hall.


    "Impossible," he growled furiously. "Why is everyone leaving? What the hell did


    she pull off?"