InnoCore''s roadshow was an unprecedented sess. Carman''s startup story resonated deeply with the investors. In the world of capital, apelling story is valuable, but apelling storyteller is priceless.


    Noreen finally allowed herself to breathe. Before the roadshow had even officially concluded, her phone was ringing off the hook with calls from investment firms, including several that had initially backed PerseTech. By the time she had fielded all the calls, the event was winding down. Sophia was efficiently directing the cleanup crew.


    Just as Noreen was about to find Carman, she saw Henry approaching him. She frowned, puzzled by the move, but was distracted when Dn came over to her. Carman greeted Henry politely. "Mr. Brooke. Can I help you with something?"


    Henry hesitated, the question heavy on his tongue. But his doubt was too strong to ignore. "What you said on stage earlier... about Noreen discovering InnoCore. That was just part of the story for the roadshow, right?"


    He knewpanies often crafted moving narratives to win over investors and the public.


    Carman looked at him, perplexed. "Why would you think I was making it up?"


    "Wasn''t it? The project was originally at Aurelion Group, under Director Lowell. Logically, it should have been her project. Noreen... she stole it from her, didn''t she?"


    Carman''s polite demeanor vanished,


    his expression hardening. "I don''t


    know where you heard that, Mr. Brooke, but I can tell you unequivocally that Ms. Gilmore discovered InnoCore. She nurtured it from its infancy. When she left Aurelion Group, Director Lowell took over and immediately canceled my project. It was Ms. Gilmore who revived it, who brought it to where it is today so leont understand why you think she stole anything. Director Lowell was the one who abandoned it. If you don''t believe me, feel free to ask around. Ask how many people Ms. Gilmore had to beg to get InnoCore funded."


    The revtion hit Henry like a physical blow. It waspletely at odds with everything he believed. He struggled to process it.


    Carman, his eyes now cold with anger, had no patience for anyone who would nder Noreen. He turned and walked away without another word.


    ***


    The disastrous roadshow left Bianca reeling. But that was only the beginning. As soon as she left the university, her phone began to blow


    up with calls and messages fro


    investors. Some were direct others more diplomatic but the message was the same: they were pulling their funding.


    After the tenth call, she hurled her phone against the wall. "How dare they! Pulling out now willpletely sever PerseTech''s funding! It will derail the entire IPO!" she raged at her mother. "And you! Why did you have to bring Aunt tana? None of this would have happened if she hadn''t been there!"


    Yvonne was equally distraught. "How was I supposed to know the police were investigating her?"


    "So what do we do now? If the IPO fails, how am I supposed to establish myself in Rivercrest City?" Bianca''s frustration and suppressed anger churned within her, threatening to explode.