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Chapter_288
Yvette looked at Howard, her eyes downcast. Her voice was hoarse as she rubbed her temples, deep in thought. She couldn’t help but reflect on her experiences with men in their middle age. Middle-aged rebellion is truly terrifying, she thought. If Jeremiah ever gets that way, I’ll just give him a good slap and be done with it. That’ll save me a lot of trouble.
She glanced at Howard, who looked completely thrilled. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking. “Howard, I usually keep to myself. I don’t really know the rules of this circle.”
Howard’s eyes clearly expressed doubt, his gaze saying, I don’t believe you. Don’t lie to me.
Yvette paused for a second, contemplating. If that’s how it is, I’ll just be straightforward, she thought. Then, in a calm and composed tone, she addressed him directly. “Howard, I’m above the rules. No rules can hold me back.”
For a moment, Howard was speechless. He looked at her, trying to process what she had just said. Ms. Zeller is bold, even by my standards, he thought. In the business world, I can make the rules myself. I lead trends in the capital market. I get what she means—she’s someone who’s completely above all of it. Howard sighed internally, his dream of being a big boss momentarily put on hold. His middle-aged rebellion had not worked out this time.
The two of them continued their conversation for another hour, exchanging ideas and thoughts. Eventually, Howard walked out of the villa, his mood noticeably lighter and more energized.
Liam, who had been waiting in the car, saw Howard coming out and immediately got out to meet him. He had been on the verge of falling asleep from the wait.
Approaching Howard, Liam gave a slight bow. “Mr. Yates, you’re out,” he said, his tone respectful.
Howard nodded. “Alright, let’s go back to the company. And remember to schedule lunch with Rashad from the biochem lab for tomorrow.”
Liam nodded repeatedly, relieved. As they got into the car, Liam couldn’t help but glance at Howard through the rearview mirror. Judging by Howard’s good mood, things had gone well, and his heart finally calmed.
Howard noticed Liam’s frequent glances and thought, Is there something on my face? Why does this kid keep sneaking looks at me?
With a slight frown, Howard closed the document he had been reading and looked up. He caught Liam’s eyes just as Liam quickly tried to look away.
The atmosphere between them shifted. It was strange and awkward.
Howard, now wearing a serious expression, spoke up. “You’ve glanced at me no fewer than ten times on this trip. Is something wrong with me?”
Liam quickly shook his head, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Is there anything more awkward than being caught by the boss? he thought, his toes digging into the ground in embarrassment. “Mr. Yates, it’s not that. I just… I just feel like you’ve been especially happy since leaving the villa.”
Howard wasn’t upset. Instead, he glanced at Liam, noticing his nervousness, and responded calmly, “It’s nothing, Liam. I just learned something unexpected.”
Liam, still curious, kept quiet. He was known for being perceptive, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever had happened inside that villa had to do with Yvette. There was no way it had anything to do with money. It had to be something related to her.
The next day, the national new energy press conference was in full swing. Media outlets from all around the world had gathered, each bringing their latest equipment to secure the best positions for first-hand coverage. The successful development of new energy technology by Clusia marked a new era in energy, surpassing the advanced technologies of Mysonna. The attention surrounding this press conference was immense, and the world was watching.
James, always the dignified figure, arrived in formal attire. At his level, he only attended the most significant and formal events. In the lounge, Marcus, always attentive, helped adjust Jay’s tie. With a deep voice, he asked, “What’s going on? You’ve been distracted since early morning. What’s on your mind?”
Jay looked up at Marcus, who was a full head taller than him. The height difference always made Jay feel a little annoyed, wondering what Marcus had eaten to grow so tall. Maybe I should drink more milk. It’s never too late to grow! Even if I only grow a little bit…
Jay sighed. “It’s nothing. It’s just that I feel weird about Siren not being here today. Without her contribution to new energy development, we wouldn’t have succeeded so quickly. On a day like today, when we’re being celebrated, it’s strange that she’s not here to share in the applause. She should be here with us.”
Marcus paused, looking at Jay carefully. After a few moments, he said, “Jay, do you think it’s possible that Siren isn’t showing up because she’s just too lazy?”
Jay’s sudden change in mood was palpable. He twisted Marcus’s arm with more force than he intended, causing Marcus to wince in pain. Jay, still a little embarrassed, nodded reluctantly. “Okay, you might be right.”
Marcus chuckled, finding amusement in Jay’s reaction. This guy gets too caught up in the details, he thought. But there’s another possibility I haven’t mentioned. Maybe Yvette doesn’t care about the Siren identity. Or maybe she doesn’t need the fame, status, or wealth that everyone else is so desperate for.
At exactly 11 o’clock, the press conference officially began. Besides the core members from the national physics lab, the top leaders from relevant departments were also in attendance. The individuals present at the conference were some of the most important figures in the country.
Jay and Marcus were seated on either side of James—Jay in his black suit, Marcus in his white—forming a striking contrast. Marcus had already gained some recognition in society after a student secretly took a picture of him at Betrico University a few years ago, and the image went viral. So, besides James, the media focused much of their attention on him.
The press conference went smoothly until the final portion, when James went on stage to deliver his speech. With a cane in hand and his back straight, James walked slowly to the podium. Despite nearing his eighties, he still carried himself with remarkable poise.
As the country’s leading figure in physics, James couldn’t afford to show any weakness in front of the international media. He picked up the microphone and spoke forcefully and clearly for a full thirty minutes. His voice filled the auditorium, resonating with power.
When it was time for questions, James, with his usual composure, looked energized and focused. Then, a reporter from Mysonna’s government, known for being one of the toughest in the business, stood up. A white man in his forties with sharp eyes, he was the first to ask a question.
“Hello, Dean James. In your report, you mentioned that the success of this new energy project owes a lot to someone named Siren. It was their research that accelerated the development and introduction of this technology. However, this person has refused to make an appearance. Can you explain why Siren is not here today? Is there a specific reason for this? Please elaborate.”
Jay and Marcus exchanged a glance. They had anticipated this question. It seemed that Yvette’s decision to keep Siren’s identity a secret was a wise one. They both thought, How many talents has Mysonna already stolen from our country? Mysonna had been trying to tarnish Clusia’s reputation for years, adept at swaying public opinion and misleading the world.
James, unfazed, lifted his eyelids and smiled politely. He had dealt with these types of malicious situations countless times in his youth. This one was just another minor obstacle. Trying to blow things out of proportion? he thought.
Picking up the microphone, James slowly looked at the reporter who had asked the question. The atmosphere grew tense as the world waited for his response.
