?Chapter 344:


    Casting onest disdainful look at Elliana, Lance turned his attention back to Dillen. “Mr. Perez, what kind of person is River beneath the brilliance?”


    Without hesitation, Dillen answered, “We didn’t speak for long, so I can’t pretend to know her well. But the impression she left was powerful, sharp-minded, and serene. She shared a few thoughts that day, and I still carry them with me. It felt like being handed ten years’ worth of insights in a single moment.”


    The weight of his words settled over the group like a hush. Everyone looked thoughtful, moved by the idea of such wisdom.


    Lance let out a soft sigh. “If there were even the slimmest chance I could hear River’s advice face to face, I’d trade anything I had, all my wealth included.”


    At that, Elliana gave him a sideways nce and smirked. “Anything? You sure you’ve even got enough to bargain with?”


    He shot her a look, not bothering with a reply.


    Elliana pouted but didn’t press further, thinking that if he had little money, she wouldn’t even consider it.


    Alonso leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face. “Mr. Perez, how did Mr. Tucker manage to be River’s protégé in the first ce?” Everyone was eager to hear the answer. After all, Hutton was an established expert already past sixty, while River had only been a teenager at the time. The sheer difference in age made the whole situation feel surreal…


    Dillen couldn’t help butugh when the topic of Hutton asking River to be his mentor came up. “It’s a funny story, but also kind of inspiring. Mr. Tucker is truly passionate about AI. To push past technical limits, he’s willing to learn from anyone, no matter their age or position.”


    Pausing for a beat, Dillen continued, “The director of his institute is friends with River. As soon as Mr. Tucker found out, he kept pestering the director for an introduction. Eventually, the director gave in. But when Mr. Tucker finally met River, he was stunned—she was just a teenager. Still, her intelligence and skills dazzled him. He asked her to guide him in his research, saying he wanted to be her protégé. River, of course, turned him down. She told him he was too old, and he was left feeling pretty embarrassed.”


    Dillen chuckled, and the others joined him. Even without meeting Hutton, they were already picturing him as an endearing elderly man. He had a deep love for AI, and he didn’t care about status or appearances. To him, age was just a number. Though the story was kind of humorous, everyone admired his determination and humility.


    After theughter died down, Dillen added, “Even after being rejected, Mr. Tucker didn’t give up. He used the same persistence he showed the director. Eventually, River gave in and agreed to take him on—though not very willingly.”


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    The room filled with excited chatter.


    “I really respect Mr. Tucker. That kind of persistence and modesty is rare.”


    “Honestly, if I had the chance to work with River, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”


    “I’d follow every one of her instructions, no matter what.”


    Lance raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Deep down, he knew he would’ve done anything to learn from River, just like Hutton, if given the chance.


    “Mr. Perez, did Mr. Tucker improve much after bing River’s protégé?” Alonso asked.


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