Chapter 231
Ross stood frozen outside the door, a strange tug tightening in his chest as Danielle’s sudden shift in attitude hit him square in the heart. For a long moment, he didn’t move.
‘So this is how easily a woman can change,’ he thought bitterly.
Rodunst Convention and Exhibition Center.
The lights dimmed, and the host took the stage, followed closely by twenty platinum-level experts. One by one, they stepped into view, greeted by cheers and applause from the crowd.
As each expert was introduced, a brief profile appeared on the big screen, useful for those who had missed the red carpet or were tuning in online.
When Kylie made her entrance, the live stream chat lit up like fireworks. Comments poured in fast and loud, most of them gushing over her looks.
But beauty wasn’t her only headline. At such a young age, she was already a visiting professor at Harrod University and a standout in computer science.
With a résumé that sparkled on its own, it was no surprise people were placing their bets on her to break through the ranks and take first place in the individual competition.
The Tech Conference was held once every three years. For the past four rounds, the top three spots had been swept by experts from Moranta. Four straight cycles without a single finalist from Aploth, Wallingtonian included.
And while Wallingtonian had no shortage of talent, its experts were regularly edged out at this global showdown. Over time, expectations dropped. This year, many fans had quietly resigned themselves to another loss.
Some still held out hope. Maybe they’d claw their way back to third place, anything to salvage some pride.
If they couldn’t even do that, it’d only fuel the usual online trolls who loved to say Wallingtonian has the numbers, but not the brains.
But this year was different. Shermaine had shown up. And she wasn’t alone. Another standout from Wallingtonian had made it: Dr. Arthur Monet, a forty-year-old aerospace scientist with a reputation as solid as his credentials.
In the world of tech, beyond the buzz of IT, there were seven other major pillars: energy, biotech, aerospace, marine science, lasers, new materials, and automation. Some emerging technologies hadn’t yet been officially recognized, but that didn’t make them any less critical.
Backstage, Shermaine found herself naturally drawn to Arthur. Their conversation flowed easily, and it wasn’t long before he tilted his head and said, “You’re Dr. Shue, aren’t you?”
She blinked, slightly caught off guard.
She wasn’t trying to hide her identity, but still, it was the first time someone had recognized her since she came back. “How did you know?” she asked.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for years,” Arthur said, smiling. “Never had the chance. But I’ve heard recordings of your lectures. I’m good with voices, and yours? It’s unforgettable.”
The way she spoke Ustranasion, precise, effortless, with that lazy, unapologetic confidence, it wasn’t something you could mistake.
“Ah. I see,” she said.
“You’re younger than I imagined,” he added.
People in Wallingtonian had followed Shermaine’s work for years. She was a prodigy, plain and simple. Her papers in mathematics and physics had pushed boundaries that most researchers couldn’t even dream of. She was the kind of genius that came around once in a lifetime, if that.
“Actually,” Arthur continued, “once word got out that you were back in the country, top universities and institutes started trying to contact you. But you vanished. Some thought it was all a rumor.”
Shermaine gave a tiny nod. She’d known. What she hadn’t told anyone was that she’d returned for personal reasons, specifically to finish…
And now, she had plans. She’d never earned a local degree before. This time, she would. She’d already picked her school, Basterel University, for chemistry. Then maybe grad school and a PhD. She’d take her time.
As for the countless emails asking to meet? Most went unanswered. Unless it was something truly worth her attention, she simply ignored them.
“I prefer to stay under the radar,” she said calmly.
“Can’t blame you,” Arthur replied. “There aren’t many left who do research just for the sake of it.”
She didn’t argue.
He smiled again. “Well, with you here, I think this might be the year we finally put Wallingtonian back on the map. Let’s give it our best shot.”