Chapter 30 Discussing the Future
Selena's POV
"Anna."
"Yes, Miss."
"Reply to the summit organizers—Astraea will attend on time." I stood up and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the vast farm outside.
"Also," I turned around to face her, "notify our Swiss lab that 'Project Chimera' can be launched."
Anna's eyes lit up. She clearly knew what "Project Chimera" meant.
It was a completely new diamond cutting and setting technique we'd been secretly developing for three years.
A technique powerful enough to shake up the entire high-end jewelry industry.
I'd originally planned to wait another six months, until the market timing was more perfect, before going public.
But now, I couldn't wait.
Royce Sterling, you think that just because you've got my secret, you can control me?
You think Astraea Studio is just some fragile brand that needs to hide behind the scenes, relying on mystery to maintain its value?
Monaco.
Even the air here smells like a mix of money and seawater.
The Global Luxury Industry Summit venue was set in Monte Carlo's most elite hotel, with crystal chandeliers bright enough to blind you and Persian carpets so plush you could sink into them.
I wore a sharply tailored white suit with nothing underneath—a deep V-neckline showcasing the "Queen of the Night" necklace I'd designed for myself. The main stone was a massive black diamond that gleamed with a cold light under the chandeliers.
I wasn't attending as Selena Hart, but in the name of Astraea.
"I thought an otherworldly artist like you wouldn't be interested in such a money-grubbing occasion."
A voice I didn't want to hear sounded behind me.
I didn't need to turn around to know it was that bastard Royce Sterling.
I picked up a glass of champagne and slowly turned to face him.
He was wearing a dark blue suit today that made his frame look even more imposing, his handsome face looking like a carefully polished sculpture under the crystal lights.
Such a shame he has a mouth.
"Sorry to break it to you," I swirled the liquid in my glass and gave him a fake smile, "I don't just like money—I'm here to make serious cash."
His gaze fell on the necklace at my chest, his eyes brightening for a moment.
"Nice piece," he said, his tone impossible to read as either praise or something else.
"Looks like you're ready to play the role of 'Mrs. Sterling.'"
Here we go again.
He wanted to use this approach to brand me as his in front of everyone.
"Mr. Sterling, I think you've got this all wrong." I stepped closer and dropped my voice so only he could hear. "I'm here on business. As for the whole Mrs. Sterling thing? That's just a title I can ditch whenever I want. Don't forget—we're just getting started."
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it."
He dropped that line and turned to walk into the crowd, his posture straight, nodding occasionally at the people coming to flatter him.
I watched his retreating figure and let out a cold laugh.
Look forward to it then.
You'll soon find out what happens when you mess with me.
The summit program was boring. The first few CEOs from established conglomerates went on stage spouting the same old clichés, basically just bragging about their brands' long history and so-called "craftsmanship."
I sat in the front row, listening with complete boredom, my fingers unconsciously tapping my knee.
Finally, it was my turn.
"Next, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the founder of the emerging designer brand 'Astraea,' Miss Astraea! She will bring us a speech about the future!"
I stood up and walked to the podium under countless complicated gazes.
I didn't look at Royce, but I could feel his gaze on me like a spotlight.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I spoke into the microphone, my voice clear and calm, "for the past few hundred years, the craftsmanship of fine jewelry has barely changed in any fundamental way. We cut diamonds, we set gemstones, we talk about carats, clarity, and color... but we rarely talk about the future."
I pressed the remote in my hand, and the large screen behind me lit up.
"Today, I will show you our brand's latest research achievement, which I call—'Project Chimera.'"
A 3D animation appeared on the screen.
A virtual rough diamond was being cut into an unprecedented shape using a new multi-point laser cutting technology, its fire more than double that of traditional round brilliant cuts.
"'Chimera' technology can increase a diamond's fire by at least fifty percent without sacrificing too much carat weight. At the same time, we've developed a new liquid metal setting method that makes gemstones appear to float in mid-air, achieving true borderless setting."
A chorus of gasps rose from the audience.
I saw those CEOs who had looked at me with disdain earlier now sitting up straight, their eyes glued to the screen, as if afraid to miss a single detail.
Their expressions shifted from contempt to shock to greed.
I knew that look all too well.
This was exactly the effect I wanted.
I wanted them to know that a new era had arrived.
And I, Astraea, was the one opening this era.
I finished my speech. The audience fell into a deathly silence, then erupted in thunderous applause.
I smiled and bowed, preparing to leave the stage.
Just then, a voice with a heavy French accent echoed through the venue via microphone.
"Wait a moment, Miss Astraea."
I stopped and turned around.
It was Mr. Arnault.
He was now standing in front of his seat, holding a microphone, his face wearing a polite yet arrogant smile.
"A very impressive speech, and indeed... eye-opening technology." He spoke slowly, drawing out each word. "However, I have one small question."
I looked at him, a bad feeling rising in my chest.
"Please go ahead, Mr. Arnault."
"The 'Chimera' technology you demonstrated," his smile deepened, like a fox catching the scent of blood, "especially the multi-point laser cutting algorithm—why is it so... strikingly similar to a patent our group filed eighteen months ago?"
My brain short-circuited.
Patent infringement?
As soon as he finished speaking, all the applause and murmuring in the hall instantly vanished.
Everyone froze like someone had hit pause, all eyes turning to me in unison.
Those gazes felt like needles piercing my skin.
"I think there must be some misunderstanding here." I forced myself to stay calm, but my heartbeat was already spiraling out of control.
"Misunderstanding?" Mr. Arnault laughed, his laughter dripping with mockery. "Perhaps. However, to clear up this 'misunderstanding,' I've prepared some materials that will help everyone understand the situation more clearly."
He finished speaking and snapped his fingers.
The main screen behind me instantly switched displays.