Chapter 235
Louis froze for a moment.
"Are you done? Then let me ask you a few questions." I didn't give him time to react and continued, "First, who is Terry, and do you really know him? What qualifies him to judge my character? Have you verified every single word he said?"
Louis opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.
"Second, were those things you just said based on facts or prejudice? Have you ever worked with me? Have you seen any code I've written? Do you know anything about the projects, I've been involved in?"
His expression started to change.
"Third," I stared into his eyes, enunciating each word. "Have you ever considered that when people spread rumors about me specifically and not others? It might be because I've become famous too quickly and gotten in someone's way."
A heavy silence fell around us.
The whispers disappeared, leaving only a suffocating quiet.
I watched the embarrassed anger on Louis's face after being exposed.
"You say I'm showing off, but I don't think so." My voice returned to calm. "I'm just stating facts. You're using character to reject a potential collaborator you've never even met. I respect your choice, but using prejudice to publicly humiliate someone—"
I paused, my lips curving into the faintest smile. "That doesn't quite match the dignity someone of your age and position should have."
Every word from Louis carried a bone-chilling contempt and self-righteous prejudice.
My mind flashed back to Terry whispering in Louis's ear earlier, and the malice gleaming in his eyes.
I could probably guess what he told Louis.
Nothing more than painting me as a woman who lived off George, then latched onto my current boss after the divorce—someone with nothing but a pretty face.
And everyone believed it.
Or rather, they wanted to believe it.
A young, attractive divorced woman suddenly appearing in the core tech circle in a high position?
How could there not be a story behind that?
William's defense only became proof in their eyes that it was true.
Anger surged through me, making my fingertips tingle.
Looking at Louis's sanctimonious face, the undisguised disdain behind his glasses, I couldn't help mocking him.
Just as we were at a standoff, a small commotion arose in the crowd.
I looked toward the sound to see George approaching with Sarah, unhurried and composed.
He still had that unapproachable, indifferent look, his suit impeccable, and his stride confident.
Sarah walked half a step behind him, wearing a proper smile, her misty blue gown shimmering softly under the lights.
Walking side by side, they were a sight to behold.
Louis's face, dark and gloomy just moments ago, instantly brightened when he saw George.
"Mr. Smith, it's been so long!" He immediately extended his hand, gripping George's hand tightly and shaking it with enthusiasm, his tone warm—as if he weren't the same sharp, harsh man from moments ago. "Since we last met at the tech summit, it must have been half a year? Mr. Smith, you look even better than before!"
George nodded slightly, shaking his hand briefly. "Professor Cox, it's been a while."
After the brief pleasantries, Louis's gaze immediately shifted to Sarah beside George, his smile growing even brighter with undisguised admiration. "This must be Ms. Wilson! Seeing is believing! Standing next to Mr. Smith, you two are a perfect match—talented and beautiful!"
Sarah smiled with pursed lips, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You're too kind."
Louis waved his hand dismissively, his tone increasingly enthusiastic. "Not at all! I heard Ms. Wilson's company is also looking for quality production partners? What do you think of my operation, Ms. Wilson? Though we can't compare to those big corporations in scale, we do have some unique expertise in precision manufacturing."
Standing to the side, I watched the scene unfold as a chill crept up from the soles of my feet. Mixed with the anger that hadn't yet faded, it surged through my chest.
Just moments ago, William and I had tried everything, shown complete sincerity, only to be met with cold mockery.
George arrived, and before he even spoke, Louis was already by his side, trying to win his attention.
This is reality.
Naked contempt directed at me.
George bringing people over couldn't possibly be to help me.
He was here to pave the way for Sarah.
At this gathering of resources and connections, he personally brought Sarah forward, introducing her to key figures like Louis and clearing obstacles for her future career.
And me? I was just a stumbling block in her path, an eyesore, a negative example meant to highlight Sarah's excellence.
William stood beside me, his expression equally grim. He said nothing as he coldly watched the scene unfold.
Sarah smiled with pursed lips, her gaze briefly flicking my way.
The look was light, almost airy, yet carried undisguised contempt, as if she were looking at something unpleasant.
Then she withdrew her gazeand turned to Louis, her voice gentle and innocent. "Professor Cox, I just heard you and Mr. Jones seemed to be arguing about something? Did something happen?"
That glance, light as it was, carried clear contempt and understanding.
She obviously knew what had happened here—Terry had probably already told her everything with embellishments.
She was deliberately asking this to make Louis repeat what he'd said earlier, to nail me to the pillar of shame again in front of even more people.
Sure enough, Louis let out a cold laugh, his gaze sweeping toward me, the disdain in his eyes almost overflowing.
"Nothing major." He deliberately drew out his words, ensuring everyone around could hear. "Mr. Jones just wanted to discuss a collaboration with me, saying that Ms. Brown is a key player at Star Tech and that she wrote the code for the Aviation Administration's new satellite."
He paused, looking me up and down, his gaze slowly sliding across my face, full of contempt.
"To be honest," he curled his lips, "I've been looking, and all I can see is that she's quite pretty. As for ability, I really don't see any."
Low laughter rippled through the crowd.
People whispered to each other, exchanging meaningful glances.
Those looks were like tiny thorns, stabbing from all directions.
The spectators' gazes pierced like needles.
William's expression darkened completely. He stepped forward, his tone containing suppressed anger. "Professor Cox, please watch your words! What's so funny? Can technical ability be judged just by looking?"
I reached out, gently pulling William's arm, shaking my head at him.
"Why bother talking to these people? It's a waste of breath."
William paused, looking at me.
His eyes held concern, indignation, but more than anything, worry that I couldn't handle this.
I shook my head slightly at him, signaling that I was fine.
But Sarah wasn't planning to let me off so easily.
She sighed softly, looking at me. "Ms. Brown, don't blame Professor Cox and everyone else for being suspicious. The main issue is you really haven't worked for over six years, right? You've been taking care of your family."
"And then suddenly you return, and Star Tech takes you on. Mr. Jones even puts you directly in charge of such an important project. It really is a bit baffling."
Sarah paused, then turned to Louis, her expression even more sincere and innocent. "Professor Cox, to be honest, I was very interested in Star Tech before and even sent Mr. Jones my resume."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Jones rejected me." She gave a slightly self-deprecating smile. "Someone like me, with a double degree and project experience, was rejected. Honestly, I couldn't understand it at the time."
Her gaze shifted between William and me. Her voice lowered slightly, but still loud enough for those around to hear clearly. "But now, seeing how much Mr. Jones is defending Ms. Brown, I think I'm starting to understand."
"Maybe I just don't have Ms. Brown's good looks."
She didn't say it outright, but the meaning was unmistakable.
I got into Star Tech and secured the project not through ability, but through something else.
Through William's special treatment. Through some unspeakable transaction.
The words were vicious enough to make my entire body go cold.
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. The pain kept me barely composed.
"You—"
William finally couldn't hold back. He stepped forward, about to speak in rebuttal.