Chapter 165 Date
At this moment, at the Johnson Group.
Michael had indeed received an invitation to the conference.
Although the previous scandal had been quite ugly, the Johnson Group had been involved in the AI field for many years and had achieved some success, so naturally they couldn't be absent.
However, when Robert came to report, his expression was clearly complicated. "According to the information I've received, the company's award-winning project this time should be the fifth-generation 'Bloodheat Activation' system."
Michael was completely stunned.
The system developed by the Johnson Group had already been upgraded to the sixth generation.
Why was the fifth generation the one receiving the award?
As if sensing his confusion, Robert explained: "It seems to be because this system was developed by Ms. Smith!
Nowadays, she's no longer unknown in the industry... The system she collaborated on with Daniel still hasn't been cracked or surpassed by anyone.
Many industry experts are very interested in her, and even the old systems she developed back then are receiving strong attention..."
In other words, the Johnson Group's ability to receive this award was thanks to Olivia.
After hearing this, Michael's expression became quite interesting.
He never dreamed that the Johnson Group's award nomination was because of Olivia.
Back then, before the divorce, that woman had been utterly unremarkable.
Why was it that after leaving, her strengths kept appearing one after another?
Had he really overlooked her that much?
Michael wasn't very willing to admit he'd misjudged someone.
But everything that had happened recently kept reminding him that Sophia... just wasn't as good as Olivia!
Seeing his silence, Robert also felt somewhat wistful.
As an observer, he could see Olivia and Sophia's current situations more clearly.
Although the former's achievements at the Johnson Group hadn't been particularly spectacular, at least she had been steady and solid, never making mistakes.
Up to this day, she still brought stable benefits to the Johnson Group.
As for Sophia, she started with a high profile, creating the persona of a returnee elite, but what was the result? Besides throwing her weight around in the department, the business she took over was a complete disaster.
Even the sixth-generation upgraded system was built on Olivia's achievements.
And yet, she still boasted that it was all her own work.
Only the CEO, with his top-tier love-struck brain, believed it.
Internal complaints aside, Robert still asked, "So... are we still going to this summit?"
Michael's expression wasn't great, but it didn't prevent him from staying calm. "Why wouldn't we go? Even if the fifth-generation system was developed by her, it came out during her time at the Johnson Group. This honor rightfully belongs to the Johnson Group. Why would we refuse it?
Not to mention, the Johnson Group urgently needed a formal occasion to recover the reputation lost before.
No matter what, they couldn't be absent!
That's what he said, but this matter still left a bad taste in his mouth, and his irritation rose again.
Later, after Robert left, Michael got up and poured himself a drink, downing it in one gulp.
Olivia...
What are you trying to prove by going to all this trouble to show yourself off?
Are you trying to prove to me that I can't do without you?
If so, what you've done so far isn't enough!
...
Silverbrook Manor.
These past few days, Sophia had indeed been feeling extremely anxious and uneasy about her situation, just as Evelyn had guessed.
The collapse of the Brown Group had caused her to lose all her advantages and leverage.
Even at the Johnson family, she couldn't hold her head up high.
A few days ago, when she went to the Johnson Mansion to visit Michael's parents, she received unprecedented cold treatment.
This made her even more worried that one day Michael would abandon her too, following in Olivia's footsteps.
Bronte was also very anxious about this and called to warn her, "Right now, clinging tightly to Michael is the Brown family's only chance to rise again.
Since Emerald City's workplace won't accept you, why don't you take this opportunity to get closer to him emotionally? If possible, hurry up and get pregnant.
If you can rise in status through a child, you can become Mrs. Johnson! Then, would you still need to fear the Johnson family not accepting you?"
Sophia didn't comment on this.
Using a child to tie down a man was something she had always considered a low-class tactic.
So deep down, she felt somewhat disdainful of it.
She believed that Michael's affection for her was definitely not based on such superficial things.
However, Bronte's next words hit her hard: "Just now, your father found out some news. Recently, Emerald City is holding a top-tier summit, and Olivia is on the invitation list, receiving unprecedented attention.
Her commercial value now is nothing like before. Countless first-tier companies are competing to work with her. Do you know what this means?
It means that in the future, her status will rise with the tide, even climbing to heights that people look up to.
Since you can't compete in terms of ability, you'd better hurry up and have more children while Michael still finds you fresh. Otherwise, when the Johnson family comes to their senses and realizes Olivia is better, they'll kick you out and try to win her back."
These last words were particularly harsh.
As if her only remaining value was childbearing!
Sophia's expression immediately turned very ugly, and her tone became angry. "Is this how you talk about your own daughter?"
Bronte's tone became even more cutting: "Who's to blame for the Brown family being like this? If it weren't for you, would your father and I be so miserable? Let me tell you, Sophia, if you had any competence at all, things wouldn't have collapsed to this extent.
This is what you owe the Brown family. No matter what, you must use Michael's hand to pull the Brown family out of this mess!"
After saying this, as if too lazy to waste more words on her, Bronte hung up directly.
Sophia stood there gripping her phone, trembling with anger.
She was extremely furious and unwilling inside.
Clearly, before all this, everyone had looked down on Olivia, thinking she was incompetent.
But how long had it been? Now everyone was praising her, even her own parents were using her to put Sophia down.
What right did that bitch Olivia have???
She was just packaged by the Wilson Group. Why should she get to lord it over her?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Sophia naturally wasn't willing to admit defeat like this.
It's just a summit, right?
She could go too!
She absolutely wouldn't allow Olivia to steal all the spotlight alone!
With this thought, Sophia got up and returned to her room, took a luxurious petal bath, then put on sexy lace lingerie, sprayed on perfume, and quietly waited for Michael to come home.
That evening, Michael arrived home at nine o'clock.
When he entered, he didn't see Sophia, but he did see Aiden.
Aiden seemed to be waiting specifically for him to return. As soon as he saw him, he immediately rushed over, saying: "Daddy Michael, why are you only just getting home?"
Michael loosened his shirt collar and asked coolly, "What is it?"
Aiden looked up at him and said directly: "I want to buy this limited edition model... Today at kindergarten, a classmate showed off to me, saying I couldn't afford it!
He bullied me, and I want to teach him a good lesson."
Hearing this, Michael's brow furrowed slightly.
"Teach him what lesson? What you should be doing now is studying hard."
He seemed to dislike Aiden's behavior and immediately lectured him a few times.
Hearing this, Aiden's face showed some grievance. "But before, Mom said that as long as she's with you, I can have whatever I want..."
Michael's brow furrowed even deeper.
Although there was nothing wrong with what was said, and normally he would have satisfied Aiden's request.
But for some reason, today he felt somewhat impatient with his entitled attitude.
He inexplicably thought of Bianca and Olivia.
That mother and daughter had never taken the initiative to ask him for things...
His mood became even more irritated. After casually dismissing the boy, he returned to his room.
As soon as he pushed open the door, a seductive fragrance hit him.
He looked up and saw Sophia dressed sexily, coming toward him.
The woman's figure was curvaceous and alluring. The thin lingerie outlined her curves, making them tantalizingly visible, quite arousing.
Michael's eyes darkened, and his body's instincts were stirred.
When she got close, he was somewhat impatient. As things heated up, the nightgown was practically torn in half.
Sophia was secretly pleased with her tried-and-true method, using every trick she knew to please the man.
At the height of passion, she spoke up: "Michael, I heard there's a top-tier summit in a few days, and the Johnson Group is on the invitation list. Will you take me to attend?"
At these words, the man who had been caught up in the moment suddenly became somewhat calmer, and his lust-filled eyes regained clarity.
"What would you go there for?"
Sophia didn't notice, and said with seductive eyes: "Although I made mistakes before, I'm still someone in this industry after all. In the future, I'll eventually return to my original position. I still want to stand alongside you, I don't want to be left behind, so... will you take me, please?"
Michael's movements suddenly became less urgent, his tone still flat: "I can indulge you in other things, but not this time."
He knew in his heart who the main character at this summit would be.
Taking Sophia would only make the situation awkward.
But Sophia didn't catch his point and began acting coquettish and clingy.
In the past, whenever she softened, Michael would agree.
But tonight, no matter what tactics she used, the man remained unmoved.
In the end, even this intimate encounter was hastily concluded.
When Michael withdrew, a trace of boredom flashed in his eyes.
Sophia didn't see it, but was still full of disbelief.
She hadn't expected that Michael would refuse her in this situation.
Were her tactics starting to lose their effect?
...
After resting at home for two days, Olivia's leg had completely recovered.
Without any delay, she threw herself into work at the research institute and got busy.
Victoria and her husband finally sent Bianca back.
Bianca had been away from Olivia for so many days and had been having too much fun to think about returning.
But as soon as she saw her, she still softly rushed over to hug her, saying in a sweet childlike voice: "I missed Mommy so much..."
Holding the little bundle, Olivia's heart melted repeatedly, but she deliberately teased: "Really? I think you clearly didn't want to come back at all!"
"Really, I missed Mommy so much..."
Little Bianca nuzzled against her acting cute, her voice even softer.
Olivia simply couldn't resist.
After the little girl's autism improved, she had learned how to make people happy.
Moreover, being separated from her for so long this time hadn't affected her too badly, which was quite surprising.
Out of caution, she still told Andrew about Bianca's return.
Andrew replied: [The treatment plan is ready. Should we meet tomorrow to discuss it?]
Olivia: [Okay.]
Olivia had no objections.
Andrew sent another message asking: [Do you like watching movies?]
Olivia's heart skipped a beat.
Why... would he ask this question?
Could it be that he wanted to invite her to see one???