Chapter 90
The audience inside the hall displayed varied expressions.
Clinton sneered dismissively. "Just because she's pretty? Her skills at manipulating men are certainly first-rate!"
Heidi gave a delicate cough. "Perhaps Professor Brooks and Caroline are merely friends? He is kind-hearted—he might have been deceived and that's why he's helping her so enthusiastically."
"Surely there's nothing special between them?" By the end of her statement, even she seemed uncertain.
Clinton scoffed. "Nothing special? Unlikely! What's there to be proud of in a woman who climbs by clinging to men?"
"She can't compare to you. You're a modern woman who solves problems independently. What can she do besides finding men to help her?"
At these words, Heidi's heart skipped a beat. She glanced discreetly at Arthur, relaxing only when she saw his expression remained unchanged.
She had worried unnecessarily. Caroline was merely Arthur's wife in name only—why would Arthur care how others disparaged her?
Relieved, Heidi smiled gently. "Everyone makes their own choices. While Caroline's manipulation of others is wrong, I believe she wouldn't go too far, for Layla and Logan's sake."
This small incident, neither significant nor trivial, went largely unnoticed by most.
The lecture finally began.
Caroline's presence seemed to cause no ripples, yet several elite families of Sovereign City had noticed her.
"When did Alton acquire a female companion?" someone murmured.
"She's wearing a staff badge. Perhaps she's a researcher from Mr. Barnes's laboratory?" Simon Smith remarked thoughtfully.
Oliver glanced at him. "Are you interested in her?"
"Not particularly," Simon said, looking away. "At first glance she had a certain ethereal beauty, but on second look, she's rather ordinary. Heidi has more appeal—beautiful and ambitious, like a thorny rose that makes one's heart itch."
Oliver chuckled. "What's this? Planning to compete with Arthur for a woman?"
"Not compete exactly, but I am intrigued," Simon said, watching Heidi from afar. "Arthur certainly knows how to choose. He remained single all these years, apparently waiting for this particular red rose."
Oliver smiled without continuing the conversation. He had come today to collaborate with Gabriel.
By now, Gabriel's lecture was reaching its conclusion. His presentation on new systems and technologies had stirred excitement among the attendees.
After all, what kind of ordinary lecture would attract Sovereign City's elite families? Everyone had come for the projects and for Gabriel himself.
On stage, Gabriel's presentation remained inspiring.
At the end, he made an unexpected announcement, "I have one more thing to share. Much of the experimental data in my latest theory was compiled by a younger colleague—an exceptional talent in research."
"As it happens, she's here today. I'd like you all to hear her perspective."
This statement caused a stir. Gabriel was inviting a junior colleague to speak? Even to promote a protégé, using his own reputation seemed excessive.
Everyone grew curious about this person.
Backstage, Caroline looked deeply troubled.
"Mr. Barnes, I haven't been on stage for years. I've only recently returned to this field, and Mr. Flores has already given me exposure. I shouldn't use your reputation for advancement."
This was Gabriel's way of supporting her, of looking after her.
Gabriel's expression turned serious. "What's this? Do you think I'm too old, that you don't want to shoulder my burden?"
"Of course not," Caroline replied urgently.
She quickly understood Gabriel's intention. He feared she would be bullied, so he was using this lecture to support her, to signal to everyone in Sovereign City that their relationship was significant.
Touched, she made her decision. "Mr. Barnes, I won't disappoint you."
In the hall, many speculated about Gabriel's talented colleague, while unease flickered in Heidi's eyes.
The dimmed lights brightened again, illuminating Caroline at center stage. She wore an elegant sky-blue gown that flowed like ocean waves, ethereal and breathtakingly beautiful.
"It's her?" Clinton said irritably, raising his voice, "She's just a housewife. She hasn't been in a laboratory or conducted experiments for nearly seven years. How can she be considered talented? Has she stolen someone else's work?"
His casual tone revealed Caroline's identity while stoking the audience's disapproval.
He deliberately concealed that Caroline was a senior consultant for the neuroscience laboratory.
The last thing he wanted was to see Caroline succeed. Why couldn't she remain a simple housewife instead of trying to be an independent modern woman?
Heidi covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. "Clinton, don't be so angry. We all know how she got on that stage, but giving a speech isn't just reading from notes. Everyone can judge whether she's genuine or not."
She paused, suddenly noticing Arthur staring intently at Caroline on stage.
A flash of panic struck her, but she quickly recovered.
"Arthur, wasn't Caroline specializing in neuron research at Mr. Flores's lecture? How impressive that she's switched to cancer treatment so quickly. She seems capable of researching anything."
"Could she possibly be Mr. Barnes's legendary 'final and most important disciple'?"
"It's not her," Arthur replied coldly, with unmistakable certainty.
Heidi wanted to ask how he knew, but meeting his icy gaze, she felt a chill.
She smiled instead. "I don't think it's her either. A friend from Celestial University told me recently that Mr. Barnes's 'final and most important disciple' has cancer. That's why Mr. Barnes has returned—to find a way to save his student."
"Caroline has raised two children these years and has always been healthy. How could she have cancer?"
At her words, an image of Caroline's pale lips flashed through Arthur's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
He smiled, looking tenderly at Heidi. "You're right."
On stage, Caroline continued her presentation.
Her gaze fixed straight ahead as she outlined a cancer treatment system that took shape with her words—like soldiers rapidly identifying cancer cells in the human body before methodically eliminating them through technical means.
Her lecture progressed from simple to complex concepts, making even laypeople understand both the terrifying nature of cancer and the sliver of hope that had been so painstakingly discovered.