Chapter 64
In the restroom, Gideon dialed Josephine's number. Call after call went unanswered.
Finally, he switched to voice messages.
"Jojo, I bought two tickets to that romantic comedy you've been wanting to see... After the press conference ends, I'll pick you up from the Getty Group Building."
He paused, then continued. "I know you're still angry with me. I'm sorry. I didn't get the full story that day before I snapped at you. About the project... the Getty Group is guaranteed to lose today. Don't forget the terms of our bet. Once you resign, come be VP at Starlight Group. I'm waiting for your answer."
Both messages disappeared into silence.
Inside the press conference hall.
Frank stood beneath the spotlights. Behind him, the giant screen displayed a single line: Starlight Group: Neural Bridge System—Global Launch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm honored to introduce the X Project's core partner—a titan in domestic bioengineering, Prof. Carter and his team. Prof. Carter's breakthrough theoretical work provided the foundation that transformed the Neural Bridge System from blueprint to reality!"
Applause crashed like waves.
Oscar—silver-haired but sharp-eyed—took the stage and shook Frank's hand.
Camera flashes exploded throughout the room.
Gideon stood at the boundary between shadow and light, Lorelei beside him.
The media frenzy, the awe in competitors' eyes, the naked greed and admiration from investors—he registered it all with a strange detachment. His thoughts kept wandering.
His phone remained silent in his pocket. Josephine probably hadn't even seen those messages.
But that was fine. Once the press conference ended, she'd understand which side to choose.
"Now, please welcome Starlight Group's President, Mr. Gideon Getty, along with Prof. Oscar Carter and Dr. Frank Baldwin, to jointly initiate the Neural Bridge System's global partnership ceremony!" The host's voice trembled with excitement.
Gideon adjusted his cuffs and strode with measured confidence to center stage.
He, Oscar, and Frank stood shoulder to shoulder, placing their palms together on the activation device.
In an instant, cascading data flooded the screen. A massive ship—symbolizing the project's official launch—surged through digital waves. The special effects were spectacular, drawing gasps from the audience.
In this moment, Starlight Group's prestige reached an unprecedented peak.
Reporters nearly broke through the security cordon, thrusting microphones forward.
"Mr. Getty, how do you expect this project to reshape the industry landscape?"
"Dr. Baldwin, was choosing Starlight Group your best decision?"
"Prof. Carter, does this partnership represent the ideal fusion of academia and industry?"
Congratulations, praise, and probing questions filled the space.
Frank rode high on triumph. He was certain he'd made the right choice. Only a platform like this could support his ambitions.
Gideon accepted the host's microphone, preparing his closing remarks. "It's an honor that this time—"
He'd barely begun when the conference hall's gilded doors—emblazoned with Starlight Group's logo—slowly swung open.
The sharp click of high heels echoed clearly. The room's chaos suddenly dimmed.
Josephine walked in against the corridor light, her steps deliberate.
All the noise, all the flashing cameras, all the eager attention—everything seemed to freeze.
Gideon's words died on his lips.
The air itself appeared to solidify.
"Ms. Kennedy." Lorelei's heart rate spiked. She moved to block Josephine's path, lowering her voice. "Today is Starlight Group's big day. Whatever you're planning, please think carefully. Don't destroy Mr. Getty."
Josephine's gaze swept over her dismissively. "How devoted you are to his interests. Truly an excellent secretary."
Lorelei forced a smile. "Welcome to our press conference, Ms. Kennedy. Please, take a seat inside."
"I'm not here to attend."
Josephine's voice cut through the room as she walked directly to the front, locking eyes with Gideon on stage.
"I'm here to crash it."
The declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Lorelei grabbed Josephine's arm. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Mr. Getty." Josephine stared directly at Gideon. "We have a saying where I'm from—more of a universal truth, really. If someone has nothing to hide, they won't panic when someone knocks on the door. If you truly have nothing to conceal, why not let me finish what I came to say?"
Gideon's voice dropped. "Lorelei, stand down."
Lorelei's jaw clenched, but she retreated.
"Today is Starlight Group's press conference," Gideon said. "If you came to observe, you're welcome. But to cause a scene? I'm afraid I can't allow that."
"Unfortunately, thieves don't get to say no."
Oscar's brow furrowed sharply. "Josephine, explain yourself. Who's a thief? What was stolen?"
With all eyes on her, Josephine's voice carried clearly through the suddenly quiet hall. "Starlight Group's Neural Bridge System—its core concept originated from research materials stolen six months ago."
Pandemonium erupted.
"Starlight Group made this huge production, and it turns out the research is stolen?"
"Is that for real?"
"That can't be right. Who'd they steal from?"
Someone called out to Josephine. "Ms. Kennedy, are you claiming those stolen materials belonged to you?"
"Yes."
Josephine admitted it directly.
Frank blurted out, "That's impossible! How would your research materials end up at our company?"
"Because I used to work at Starlight Group."
Frank's gaze instinctively shot toward Lorelei. "Say something. Didn't you give me those materials?"
Every eye in the room turned to Lorelei.
She swallowed hard, forcing composure into her expression. "Ms. Kennedy, what evidence do you have that proves this is yours? These materials have been in my possession all along. I developed these concepts. Now you're claiming with a single sentence that I stole from you? By that logic, anyone could walk in here and say the materials are theirs—would that make it true?"
"Yeah, without evidence, we can't just take her word for it."
"Don't you think there's something weird about these two women? They seem to know each other. Maybe they were rivals before."
"So this is jealousy-driven sabotage!"
Lorelei caught those comments. Her eyes gleamed. She stepped forward and seized the host's microphone, her voice quavering with manufactured hurt. "Josephine Kennedy! You're willing to frame me in this setting because of a personal grudge? I know you resent me, but you can't use this entire project—everyone's hard work—as a weapon for your slander!"
She turned to face the media, her eyes reddening. "This represents days of exhausting work by my team and me! We sacrificed sleep and health for these results. I absolutely will not allow someone to smear us out of petty envy!"
Frank thought of his colleagues laboring away in the lab. Many had worked such brutal overtime that they couldn't even attend today's conference, waiting anxiously for good news.
His voice hardened. "Ms. Kelly is right. I won't allow anyone to deliberately sabotage this press conference, especially not with baseless accusations!"