Carly was convinced Celine <b>was </b><b>just </b>putting <b>on </b>a show. “Grandma, Mom, let’s go inside and see what Celine is up to.”
Sonia scoffed coldly. “Good thing I had the foresight to cut ties with Celine early on. Whatever trouble she stirs up in there won’t have anything to do with us.”
Adam stepped into the main venue, his sharp eyes scanning the expansive space. He didn’t see Celine anywhere,
Despite following her <b>in </b>quickly, she had somehow slipped out of sight. <b>Where </b>had she <b>gone</b>?
He turned to a staff member nearby. “Who is allowed to use the VIP entrance?”
The staff member straightened, answering respectfully, “Mr. Alvarez, the VIP entrance at the Pinnacle of Academic Symposium is reserved for the top schrs from each distrier.”
Top schrs? Then why had Celine been allowed to use the VIP entrance?
“Mr. Alvarez, your seat is right this way. Please follow me.”
<b>Adam </b>was led toward the center of the venue, where the front row <b>was </b>situated. It was the most prestigious section, reserved for the most significant
attendees.
When he reached his seat, be noticed the chair next to him <b>was </b>empty.
<b>Adam’s </b>gaze lingered on the unupied seat for a moment before he asked, “Is this <b>seat </b><b>reserved </b>for my junior?”
“Yes, Mr. Alvarez,” the staff member <b>replied </b>promptly.
“She hasn’t arrived yet?”
“I’m not sure, Mr. Alvarez,” the staff member admitted
Adam waved his hand, dismissing <b>him</b>. Sinking into his seat, he nced down at the sleek steel watch on his wrist.
The Pinnacle of Academic Symposium was about to begin, <b>yet </b>his “Junior“, the one rumored to be untouchable and aloof was still nowhere to be seen.
At this moment, Sonia, Carly, Tracy, Melody, and the others were seated in the right section of the venue. Their necks craned as they stared at the empty seat next to Adam, their curiosity palpable.
“The empty seat next to Mr. Alvarez must be reserved for the genus girl, right?” someone whispered eagerly.
“Of course! Today’s biggest highlight is the first public appearance of Mr. Alvarez and Miss Genius C together. Everyone’s been waiting for this moment.”
“Why isn’t she here yet?”
“I can’t wait to see her!”
As the murmurs around her grew louder, Carly’s face twisted with <b>jealousy</b>. “<b>What </b>a show–off, keeping everyone waiting like this.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin<b>, </b>seated directly behind Adam thanks to some well<b>–</b>pulled connections, was both nervous and excited
Clutching a bouquet of red roses tightly in his hands, he leaned forward to whisper, “Adam, why isn’t my goddess here yet? Can you send her a message?” Everyone’s waiting,”
Adam pulled out his phone, opened the WhatsApp group chat, and sent a message tagging C. “You’re not here yet<b>? </b>
A momentter, his phone vibrated with a single reply. “I’m here.”
She imed she was already here. But if that were true, why hadn’t anyone seen her?
Still staring at the letter “C” in the group chat, Adam typed out another question. “What does ‘C‘ stand–for?”
Creplied, “It’s my name.”
Her name?
And then, as if out of nowhere, a name surfaced in his thoughts–Celine.
Could “C” stand for.. Celine?
For a moment, Adam froze, his thoughts grinding to a halt. Was it possible <b>that </b>the elusive Miss Genius C was none other than Celine?
? ?? ??
He dismissed <b>it </b>almost immediately.
Celine had dropped out of school at 16. How could she possibly be the genius everyone revered as Miss Genius C?
Just then, the host stepped onto the brightly lit stage, drawing the audience’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, Wee to the Pinnacle of Academic Symposium. I now officially dere the symposium open.”