Chapter 258
55 Vouchers
“My mom’s just looking out for you. Trust me, once I’ve got my footing in Ashmont’s business scene, all that dirt on you won’t mean a thing.” Tessa said.
Karlie understood, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit gloomy. “Got it,” she replied.
Tessa handed her a necklace, just like that.
Karlie finally broke into a big smile. She couldn’t stop chatting with Tessa, all smiles as she admired the necklace in the mirror.
“When you got kidnapped, I was freaking out. I was really worried Cassian would dump you. But seeing you two still going strong, I can finally relax,” Karlie said.
Tessa’s expression darkened, and she threw Karlie a cold warning. “Don’t bring that up again, especially not in front of Cassian.”
Karlie got spooked by her icy look, but she nodded. “Got it.”
Ashmont University was absolutely packed today. All the big media names in Ashmont had shown up, making the place feel like the center of attention.
Some were drawn by HelixTech, while others were here for InquireMind.
When Tessa arrived, she noticed the signs for both HelixTech and InquireMind lined up together at the entrance, and her smile faded.
She turned to her assistant and said, “Get a bigger sign.”
The assistant nodded and hurried off to take care of it.
Just as Tessa got to the venue, Kyler called her up, saying he was on his way and would be there soon.
Tessa couldn’t help but feel excited.
After all, Kyler had the whole Evergreen Group behind him. If Evergreen Group decided to back her tech company, it would be a total game–changer.
Not long aftér, Alina and her entourage arrived as well.
The turnout was huge this time. Seriously, the place was packed.
Looks like everyone’s putting their hopes on the high–temperature superconductivity project.
Alina personally made introductions for Tessa, connecting her with all the right people.
Most of these folks were relatives of top business players, holding vast networks and resources that could be a huge boost for Tessa’s business ambitions.
In fact, plenty of industry heavyweights got their start through the wives‘ social circles, which showed just how crucial these
circles were.
Once Tessa had made sure everyone in the wives‘ circle was taken care of, she headed out to wait for Cassian.
As soon as she stepped out of Hall A, she spotted Gideon hurrying toward Hall B, clutching a bouquet of sunflowers.
10:4
Chapter 258
Jan 1
Tessa’s eyes went cold for a moment, then she let slip a subtle, mocking smile.
One day, Gideon would regret the choice he made today.
Just you wait and see,‘ she thought.
Tessa hadn’t seen Cassian yet, but instead, she ran into Kyler.
א
80
55 vouchers
She knew he’d flown all the way to Ashmont just for this roadshow to support her, and she couldn’t help but feel happy about it.
Tessa invited him inside to take a seat.
But Kyler said he was waiting for someone, someone really important.
Just as Tessa was about to say something, Cassian walked in.
She bounced over to him, half–complaining, half–playfully pouting, “What took you so long?”
Cassian explained, “Something came up and held me up.”
Tessa wasn’t really mad. The roadshow hadn’t even started yet, so Cassian wasn’t late at all.
She just wanted to see him sooner.
“How’s everything going?” Cassian asked, checking in on things.
“It’s all good, but I’d love for you to come in and take a look. See if there’s anything we should tweak, since you know your stuff,” Tessa said.
“Sure,” Cassian replied.
Tessa slipped her arm through Cassian’s and walked into the venue with him.
When he saw that scene, the light in Kyler’s eyes dimmed for a moment.
But he quickly composed himself, pulled out his phone, and dialed Master Stephen. “Master, where are you now?”
Yesterday, when Kyler was playing chess with Stephen, he found out that Stephen would be heading to Ashmont University today to watch the IPO roadshow for Tessa’s company.
Kyler instantly connected the dots, thinking Stephen must be coming to support Tessa at her company’s big event.
Stephen even suggested Kyler try out a chess–playing robot, telling him to play against the AI whenever he had some free time and see just how impressive it was.
Kyler couldn’t help but ask why Stephen was suddenly so into AI.
The nanny chimed in from the side, “Because you’re the one his prized student recommended it to.”
Stephen scoffed, putting on a proud act. “Prized student? Please. I haven’t accepted her yet. She can call herself my student when she actually gets into my grad program.”
The nanny just chuckled, “You talk tough, but you’re a softie at heart.”
Truth was, he cared about her way more than he let on. He kept up with all her news, followed every update about her company, and even made secret calls to his old business contacts, asking them to look out for her.
Stephen said he was almost there, so Kyler stayed outside, keeping an eye out and waiting patiently.
10:42 Thu, Jan 1 Maj
Chapter 258
Aurelia and Tyson came out of Hall B to meet Russell, Tyson’s advisor.
Russell was currently the deputy director of the Artificial Intelligence Association.
80
55 Vouchers
He’d brought his whole team along, not just to show support, but also to learn something new.
InquireMind’s IPO was a game–changer for the country’s entire Al industry.
That’s exactly why Russell made a point of showing up in person to support them.
When Tyson saw Russell, he stood respectfully and filled him in on what was going on.
Aurelia purposely lagged behind, giving Tyson and Russell some space to talk things out.
Kyler was standing outside the venue in a spot where you couldn’t miss him, so Aurelia spotted him right away.
But she didn’t pay him any mind and just acted like he didn’t exist.
Kyler scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips as he sneered, “Walking the path someone else already paved really is the fastest way to win, isn’t it?”
He didn’t call anyone out by name.
Kyler didn’t know anyone else around, so Aurelia was certain that jab was aimed right at her.
She knew Kyler was biased against her, and most of the time she just ignored it. But that didn’t mean she’d tolerate him endlessly.
So Aurelia stopped in her tracks, meeting his gaze head–on, her eyes cold as ice.
Kyler let out a cold, almost imperceptible laugh. “Aren’t you worried that if you keep taking shortcuts, one day you’ll end up with nowhere left to go?”
“Kyler, if you love lecturing people so much, why not just become a teacher?” Aurelia shot back. She was usually classy, but class is different for everyone.
Not everyone’s got the same standards.
“And you’re so into meddling in other people’s lives. Is it because you’re just bored?” she added.
Kyler’s face darkened in an instant.
Ever since he got back, he hadn’t managed to get anything off the ground, and it gnawed at him. The shareholders kept talking behind his back, saying he was just wasting time.
Aurelia’s words hit him right where it hurt.
Seeing Kyler’s face turn sour, Aurelia shot him a frosty glance and walked off without another word.
She had zero time to waste on him. Unlike Kyler, she actually had things to do.
Kyler’s face stayed grim for a while, but when he finally spotted Stephen, he relaxed a bit.
“Sir,” Kyler greeted him, stepping forward. “Let’s head inside.”
Stephen nodded. “Let’s go.”
The two of them walked into Hall A together.
Chapter 258
12 15 vauclios
Tessa was in the middle of chatting with a few big shots who’d invested in her company when she caught sight of Stephen out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes instantly lit up.
She quickly excused herself from the group and made a beeline straight for Stephen.
“Professor Horton, you made it!” Tessa called out, her voice loud enough for everyone around to hear.
Everyone in the room heard her.
Those who’d shared a meal with Tessa before couldn’t help but be impressed by her network all over again.
It was one thing to have Stephen at your dinner table, but to have him show up in person to back you at a roadshow? That was next–level connections.
‘No wonder everyone’s betting on this project. It’s got real promise,‘ someone thought to themselves.
Stephen’s expression was the total opposite of Tessa’s excitement.
He furrowed his brows, his face noticeably aloof. “This is Hall A, right?”
AD
Comment
