Chapter 32 Recording
Selena's POV
It was Anna.
"Miss, we found something. While cleaning up the lab's surveillance records, we discovered an unusual audio recording."
"What recording?"
My heart jumped.
"A conversation between Mr. Arnault and our lab's former director." Anna's tone turned cold. "They seem to be... plotting something."
My fingers gripped the phone tightly.
Mr. Arnault.
I knew it! This old fox from the business world getting close to me wasn't just flattery—he had an agenda!
"Send me the recording right now," I ordered, my voice full of anger.
I turned to look at Mr. Arnault. He was raising his eyebrows at me with a victor's attitude.
He thought he'd won.
But he'd soon find out he was wrong.
Dead wrong.
The recording arrived on my phone quickly.
I opened it and hit play.
In the conference hall, Sterling Group's technical team was still working frantically.
Mr. Arnault wore a smug smile on his face.
I took a deep breath, then connected my phone to the microphone.
"Everyone," my voice rang clearly through the entire hall, "I think before the final technical verification results come out, we might want to listen to an interesting conversation first."
My words stunned everyone. Mr. Arnault's smile froze on his face.
I pressed play.
A muffled conversation came through the hall's speakers.
"...are you sure that video was cleaned up properly? Can't leave any loose ends..." It was Mr. Arnault's voice.
"Don't worry, boss. I handled it myself, guaranteed flawless. It's just... Miss Astraea's team, their technology really is..." This was another man's voice, sounding hesitant.
"Shut up! I don't care how good their technology is. I just need to show her who really runs this industry!" Mr. Arnault's voice suddenly rose.
The recording ended.
In the entire hall, everyone's eyes focused on Mr. Arnault.
His face had turned white as paper.Royce's POV
The recording ended.
I looked at the French old man on stage, Mr. Arnault. He looked at me, as if silently asking whether I was behind this.
I just raised my eyebrows slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
This woman, Selena, or rather Astraea, she always manages to surprise me.
I thought she'd be pushed into a corner, showing her claws like a cornered wild cat, fighting to the death.
I'd even prepared to appear like a savior at her most desperate moment, then naturally take over everything she had—her technology and her.
But I didn't expect her to have this card up her sleeve.
She didn't need me to save her at all.
She was her own savior.
"Fake! This is absolutely fake!" Mr. Arnault's voice sounded like an actor whose tail had been stepped on, waving his arms dramatically. "AI technology nowadays can do anything! How hard is it to synthesize a voice?"
His skill at turning the tables was actually kind of impressive.
I looked at Selena, who stood calm in the eye of the storm, watching Mr. Arnault with cold amusement—like he was nothing more than a performing monkey.
Enough.
This farce needed to end. If it went on any longer, it would be hard to wrap up.
I stood up and cleared my throat.
The entire hall instantly fell silent, all eyes on me.
"Since both sides are sticking to their stories and have presented their so-called evidence," I walked onto the stage unhurriedly, positioning myself between Selena and Mr. Arnault, deliberately creating distance between them. "I think today's summit isn't a courtroom, and we're not judges. Why don't we leave this matter to both parties' legal teams to resolve?"
I clapped my hands and flashed a formal smile at the audience. "Alright, everyone, that's the end of today's unexpected situation. Thank you all for participating. The summit is now over."
The crowd began to disperse. Reporters swarmed forward like sharks smelling blood, but security held them back.
Mr. Arnault, protected by his assistant, glared viciously at Selena before hurrying away.
The huge hall was soon empty except for me and her.
And my people.
"Quite a spectacular show." I walked up to her, looking down at her.
She'd worn makeup today, not too heavy, making her face look even more stunning.
"Didn't Mr. Sterling enjoy watching it too?" She shot back without backing down.
"Of course." I smiled. "To celebrate your successful escape from the lion's mouth, and to... discuss deeper cooperation between us. I wonder if Miss Astraea would do me the honor?"
I extended the invitation.
I knew she'd accept.
Because she had no other choice.
Today's storm might seem like her victory, but that old fox from Arnault Group would never let this go.
She needed a powerful enough ally.
And I was her only option.
"Cooperation?" She repeated the word. "Sounds more like a trap to me."
"Trap or not," I gestured for her to go ahead, "you won't know until you see for yourself. My car's waiting outside."