Chapter 52
Murmurs immediately spread through the audience. People's expressions shifted, but they kept watching Caroline, seemingly trying to determine if she was truly just a theoretician.
Caroline's gaze moved from the projection screen to Heidi's face. That meticulously made-up face wore a mask of false concern, but the malice in her eyes was nearly overflowing.
Caroline's expression remained neutral, completely ignoring the skepticism from below.
"Ms. White, you seem to have forgotten," her voice came through the microphone, as calm as if stating an objective fact, without the slightest hint of being offended.
"The 'Targeted Pathways for Brain Injury Repair' project that I led to completion before graduation—"
Caroline clearly stated the full title of the project.
"The clinical application rate of its core findings," she watched as the forced smile at the corner of Heidi's lips began to stiffen, "still holds the industry's highest record to this day."
The audience erupted in excitement!
"It's her? That record holder?"
"My God, she did that? That project was groundbreaking!"
"No wonder Dr. Flores values her so highly!"
Astonished whispers rose like waves, countless gazes once again focusing on Caroline—this time with newfound, undisguised amazement and curiosity.
Ruben was the first to applaud enthusiastically, his face showing unmasked appreciation. "Excellent! Well said!"
The applause quickly spread throughout the room.
Heidi's smile faded slightly, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wine glass. Yet she didn't appear flustered, merely raising an eyebrow, as if surprised that Caroline would directly embarrass her, while still maintaining her elegant demeanor.
At that moment, Gavin strode forward. With his usual infectious, hearty smile, he purposefully positioned himself beside Caroline, almost shoulder to shoulder.
He clapped his hands to attract attention. "Distinguished industry leaders, let me take this opportunity to make an announcement!" His voice boomed over the fading applause.
"I have officially invited Dr. Hamilton to join my team!" He turned to look at Caroline, his eyes showing complete trust and support.
"She'll serve as my Chief Technical Advisor, fully responsible for overseeing our upcoming neuroscience laboratory project! Though Dr. Hamilton hasn't made up her mind yet, I'm very much looking forward to her becoming a key member of our company!"
This news was even more explosive than before!
"Gavin's company?"
"He moved so quickly!"
"Chief Technical Advisor... that's a position with real power!"
"How could anyone not accept such an offer?"
The exclamations and discussions grew louder.
Ruben's eyes brightened further. Taking advantage of the excitement, he spoke directly into the microphone, his voice filled with a scientist's enthusiasm.
"Ms. Hamilton! Your research direction aligns perfectly with the Alzheimer's project our team is tackling! Would you be interested in joining our joint laboratory? We could share resources and advance together!"
One bombshell announcement after another!
Caroline was stunned by Gavin's sudden invitation. Chief Technical Advisor? Full responsibility? When had he decided this? She herself had no idea.
Gavin certainly moved with lightning speed.
But the frustration that had been suppressed within her for seven years finally dissipated at this moment. Instantly, a warm current flowed through her entire body.
So this was what it felt like to have your value recognized.
Gavin turned his head toward her, giving her a wink while lowering his voice, though his whiper carried undisguised delight and pride, "Dr. Hamilton, sorry for the act. Please don't be angry—I was just afraid these old foxes would snatch you away."
Though his words sounded apologetic, his demeanor was like a boy who had secured his favorite toy.
"Gavin, I have to say that you're so despicable!" Ruben also approached cheerfully, patting Gavin's shoulder with considerable force. "You have an excellent eye!"
He then turned to Caroline, the eagerness in his eyes almost burning.
"Don't feel pressured, Caroline. Gavin's company truly offers the best platform in the country right now, with sufficient resources. You can start there, and our joint laboratory project—I'm giving you the green light. We can launch anytime! My students have been looking forward to learning from you."
These words essentially paved a golden path for her.
Caroline looked at the two men before her—one direct and cheerful, the other sincere and enthusiastic. Both were industry figures whose slightest move could cause ripples, yet here they were, like salesmen eagerly showcasing their sincerity to her.
She couldn't help but smile, a genuine, relaxed smile.
"Mr. Bennett, Dr. Flores," she cleared her throat, her voice carrying a lightness she herself hadn't noticed, "with such high praise from you both, I'm afraid I might become arrogant."
"And you should be!" Gavin immediately responded. "Talented people should be proud! So, Dr. Hamilton, what's your answer?"
His impatient manner made Ruben chuckle and tease him again.
In the crowd, Heidi set down her glass, avoiding the prying eyes of onlookers, and turned to disappear into the crowd.
The sound of her high heels remained crisp, showing no sign of haste, though tinged with a hint of resentment, quickly fading into the noise.
Caroline caught a glimpse of that retreating figure from the corner of her eye, then looked away.
Not far off, Arthur felt as if he were isolated behind an invisible glass dome.
He watched Caroline on stage, subtly flanked by Ruben and Gavin on either side.
He observed as she calmly responded to Ruben's invitation, her eyes focused in thought, occasionally nodding, exchanging quiet words.
That brilliance was so unfamiliar, yet so dazzling.
The dryness in his throat intensified. Instinctively, he grabbed the champagne glass beside him and took a large gulp. The cold liquid slid down his throat but couldn't suppress the inexplicable, heavy obstruction in his heart.
The event finally wound down amid the bustling crowd.
Caroline politely declined Ruben and several other senior colleagues who wanted to discuss matters further, and also avoided Gavin's invitation to join a smaller follow-up discussion. She just wanted to quickly escape from the center of this whirlwind.
Just as she reached a relatively quiet corridor corner, heading to retrieve her clutch, a strong wave of perfume mixed with alcohol suddenly crashed into her!
Her shoulder was violently bumped, causing Caroline to stagger. She steadied herself by grabbing a nearby Roman column.
Heidi stood before her, her usual composure transformed into a brilliant gloom, her tone direct and sharp. "You think that with Gavin's invitation, you can make Arthur look at you differently, establish yourself firmly in the Windsor Group?"
Heidi sneered, her gaze piercing. "Dream on! You know better than anyone who's in Arthur's heart! He came today for me. You'll never measure up to me!"