Chapter 188 What Bad Idea Are You Up To
At the seminar, everyone focused on professional topics like medical skills and healthcare development.
A full four hours passed. Seeing it was already evening outside, Olivia finally understood why Rodolfo hadn't come.
Never mind an old man like him - even Olivia, a young person, was sitting there with an aching back...
After the conference ended, everyone headed to the Wilson Group hotel.
On the way there, Daniel sent Olivia a message: [Are you coming?]
Olivia typed back: [Yeah, on my way now.]
Daniel: [Okay, nothing major. Just wanted to let you know - tonight's event will probably have twice as many guests as your conference.]
Olivia was a bit confused: [Why?]
Daniel replied: [Today's conference only had professional representatives, but tonight's dinner will also have major shareholders from various pharmaceutical companies.
Don't forget, this conference is called the 'Pharmaceutical Commerce Association.' Since it involves commerce, you can't avoid these people.]
Olivia: [I see.]
Olivia understood immediately. That made sense.
Pharmaceutical companies were part of this too.
Plus, many researchers came to today's conference.
These people were essential to every pharmaceutical company.
Daniel was worried she still wasn't used to these social occasions, so he told her: [Don't be too nervous. I'll be there tonight too. If you're uncomfortable, I'll back you up.]
Seeing such a supportive message, Olivia smiled.
She replied: [Actually, I'm okay. I'm gradually getting used to it. After attending a few more of these events, I'll handle them easily.
Besides... even if I wanted to keep a low profile tonight, I probably couldn't.
After all, Mr. McCoy will be there. Unless he ignores me...]
Thinking about this made Olivia feel a bit anxious.
After all, Rodolfo had refused to see her for so many days when she visited.
Daniel tried to comfort her: [I think you're overthinking it. Mr. McCoy isn't that childish. How could he ignore people?]
Olivia: [I'm not sure...]
Olivia still felt uncertain.
After chatting for a while, she put away her phone.
Ten minutes later, she arrived at the commerce association dinner venue.
The seating had already been arranged.
Olivia quickly found her seat. The organizers had specially placed her in a very forward position.
Not at the main table, but at the second table next to it.
This showed they valued Olivia quite a bit.
As for the main table, it was for highly respected senior figures in the industry. She was the youngest person in this circle.
As she sat down, Olivia heard the senior next to her complaining, "Ugh, my old back really can't take it. I'll need to get treatment when I get home..."
"That's how it is when you get older. Everyone has some old ailments. I'll need to see a doctor tonight too."
"Speaking of treatment, those ancient healing methods passed down by the 'Medica Vitae Sect' are truly amazing. I heard that person will come tonight. Is it true?"
"You mean 'Rodolfo'?"
"If it's Rodolfo, I've heard about it too. Should be true!"
Mentioning Rodolfo got several seniors excited.
The senior who was just complaining about back pain wasn't uncomfortable anymore. He said excitedly, "Today we finally have a chance to meet that legendary figure!"
"Yes, if we're lucky enough to get some guidance, we'll really benefit!"
Hearing this, someone nearby poured cold water on their enthusiasm, "Better not get your hopes up. Rodolfo has a final and most important disciple, who was apparently chosen and taken in as a student when very young."
"Oh? Really?"
"If Rodolfo has a student, why haven't we heard anything about that student's reputation after all these years?"
Then someone else added: "That's because they keep a low profile, just like Rodolfo - they're practical people who don't chase after fame.
Or maybe you've heard of this person's reputation but just don't know their identity..."
"That makes sense."
As everyone discussed, more and more people took their seats.
Soon, people began arriving at the main table nearby.
Mostly big shots from the seminar who had received national honors, the director of the pharmaceutical bureau, and...
Rodolfo!
Finally seeing Rodolfo, Olivia got excited.
Although they hadn't met in a long time, Rodolfo still looked energetic and sharp.
Tonight he wore a wine-red long robe. Though his temples were white, his complexion was rosy.
Olivia wanted to get up and greet him, but clearly Rodolfo had friends he knew at the venue.
Several people at the main table immediately stood up to greet him when they saw him.
"Rodolfo, you really came!"
"Rodolfo, I didn't expect to actually see you today. It's been so long since we last met."
"Rodolfo, you finally decided to show up..."
Hearing his old friends, Rodolfo laughed cheerfully, "You all came tonight. How could I miss such a lively dinner?"
Seeing this, Olivia sat back down without going over to disturb him.
Right now Rodolfo was catching up with old friends - she shouldn't go over and affect his mood.
She could go over later...
As Olivia thought this, other people nearby who were eager to approach also didn't dare make any rash moves.
After all, anyone sitting in such a forward position had an impeccable sense of timing.
Daniel came to find Olivia at this moment.
He sat down directly in the seat next to Olivia and asked, "Not going over?"
Olivia shook her head, saying, "Later. Mr. McCoy ran into old friends and looks pretty happy..."
Then she realized and asked, "Your seat is here too?"
Daniel smiled with a bit of swagger, "I'm tonight's host. I should be able to sit here, right?"
Hearing this, Olivia laughed a little, "You definitely can. I just thought you'd be representing the 'commerce' side of the commerce association tonight..."
She had thought Daniel wouldn't have much time to chat with her tonight.
Daniel somehow smiled playfully and said, "The commerce representatives wouldn't sit that far back. Look..."
He gestured to Olivia, "See the fourth table? Those are the leading pharmaceutical companies and major families."
Olivia glanced in that direction.
But her gaze inadvertently caught sight of Michael and Sophia.
Instantly, her eyes darkened slightly as she asked Daniel, "Why are they here?"
The plagiarism incident was still fresh in her memory.
The previous summit had been utterly humiliating for them.
What did the Johnson Group have to do with tonight's event?
Daniel sneered, "I'm curious too. Originally we didn't give them invitations. The Johnson Group probably guessed I wouldn't let them in.
But Michael is quite capable. He spent a lot of effort and still managed to get in..."
Olivia looked at him questioningly, "If you didn't want to let them in, they shouldn't have been able to get in, right?"
A thought flashed through her mind, and she immediately asked, "Do you have some purpose?"
Daniel smiled mysteriously, "Well... that's a secret. Can't tell you yet!
But trust me, letting them in serves my purpose. You'll find out later."
Olivia stared at Daniel. She felt this guy was plotting something.
However, since this was already decided, she couldn't kick them out. She simply decided not to look - out of sight, out of mind.
Later, the dinner began.
Olivia had been busy all day and was starving. Taking advantage of no one coming to find her, she focused on eating.
Daniel sat beside her, introducing the dishes, "This is the hotel's specialty. You should like it."
"And this one, I remember you mentioned before that it was really good..."
"This soup is nourishing, and it's mild-flavored, so it won't be too heavy..."
Daniel introduced them enthusiastically.
Olivia was very appreciative and ate quite a bit.
Seeing Daniel about to recommend more, she quickly stopped him, "Okay, okay, how could I eat that much?"
Daniel smiled roguishly, "I'm just worried you won't eat enough at my venue."
Not far away, Michael watched this side, his eyes darkening.
He had noticed Olivia's presence long ago.
In fact, he hadn't expected Olivia to be qualified to attend this pharmaceutical commerce association.
Before coming, he had heard this event was very high-level.
Most attendees were industry experts, mostly older people.
Olivia had only been back in this industry for a few months. How could she be qualified to come?
But unexpectedly, she was not only qualified, but also seated in a very forward position...
Was this really the Olivia he remembered?
He was somewhat unwilling to believe it.
Now, she was chatting enthusiastically with Daniel as if no one else was around.
Not only that, but while she ate, Daniel took care of her attentively, thoughtful and meticulous.
Michael felt irritation rising in his heart, finding Daniel's eagerness extremely annoying!
It made him want to go over and chase him away.
Sophia, sitting next to Michael, was about to break the fork in her hand.
A fire of jealousy burned wildly in her heart.
Why did she have to run into this woman again!
Every time at an important occasion for her, Olivia would appear!
Why did this bitch Olivia haunt her like this?
Sophia was furious, almost grinding her teeth.
She instinctively looked at Michael beside her, only to find that he was also staring intently at Olivia's direction.
Sophia suppressed the anger in her heart and spoke sarcastically, "Olivia and Daniel's relationship really seems special. He's paved the way for her to this extent. No wonder... she was so determined about the divorce.
Our affair probably gave her a good excuse.
Or maybe, even before I came back, she already had this idea?"