Chapter 189 Is She Rodolfo's Student?
Michael didn't say anything.
But if you looked closely, you could see his eyes growing darker and the aura around him turning icy cold.
A CEO sitting at the same table had originally wanted to stand up and toast him, but seeing his reaction, could only awkwardly give up.
Although the Johnson Group held a prominent position in Emerald City.
In the pharmaceutical industry, they had almost no presence.
Even if they wanted to collaborate, they couldn't make the connections.
However, everyone found it strange—after all those embarrassing incidents before, why would Michael still come to tonight's banquet?
What were they really trying to do?
With gossip on their minds, people turned their attention to the main table.
One CEO asked curiously, "There's still an empty seat next to Christopher. Who is it for?"
People at Olivia's table were asking too.
"Is there some big shot who hasn't arrived yet?"
"The banquet's already started and they still haven't shown up. Could they be making a grand entrance?"
"Wow, how important must they be?"
Olivia was also curiously asking Daniel, "Who is that seat for?"
Daniel shook his head. "You're asking me? I don't really know either."
Olivia said in surprise, "Didn't you arrange this banquet? Didn't you see the guest list?"
"No."
Daniel explained, "Christopher told me to leave an empty seat, but didn't say who was coming. He's not even sure himself whether they'll show up.
You're all curious, but so am I..."
Olivia looked back at the empty seat, feeling like this scene was somehow familiar.
It seemed like... at the last summit.
But Andrew had already made it clear he wouldn't attend tonight, right?
So it probably wasn't him.
With that thought, Olivia stopped paying attention to it.
Later, as the meal was winding down, people started carrying wine glasses over to toast the people at the main table.
The area around Rodolfo became lively again.
Daniel said quietly to Olivia, "Get ready, we should probably head over too?"
If they didn't move soon, the banquet would be over.
"Okay." Olivia nodded.
They hadn't gone over to greet him earlier because they didn't want to interrupt Rodolfo catching up with old friends.
But in Rodolfo's eyes, since she wanted to apologize, she might as well be more proactive.
If she still didn't go over now, he'd probably get upset again.
She didn't want to make Rodolfo angry, so she quickly stood up...
Sophia, sitting behind them, had been watching the front the whole time.
Seeing Olivia stand up with the intention of going to the main table, she immediately pulled Michael and said, "Michael, look, everyone's going over to toast at the main table. Let's go too?"
Sophia was actually a bit worried about doing this.
Because of Olivia's profession and her previous outstanding performance.
If Olivia went over first, she might win the favor of those people at that table.
And since they were in opposition to Olivia, if they spoke up later, they'd lose the advantage.
Soon, Olivia approached the main table with a nervous heart.
She walked directly to Rodolfo's side and was about to greet him.
But before she could, she was interrupted by a voice from behind.
"Mr. McCoy, we finally meet!"
Sophia's tone sounded very familiar, saying, "A few days ago, we visited you several times, but you were always busy and we couldn't see you. Now that we finally meet, we must toast you properly."
As soon as she said this, she successfully drew everyone's attention to herself.
Including Olivia's.
She was also somewhat surprised—Sophia had visited Rodolfo?
Why?
What was she trying to do?
Olivia's brow furrowed slightly.
Daniel saw this scene with a somewhat amused expression, but didn't really take Sophia seriously.
At this moment, Sophia held up her wine glass with a slight smile on her face. If you didn't know better, you'd think she was some friend or junior of Rodolfo's.
And with this attitude, if Rodolfo didn't clink glasses with her, it would seem inappropriate.
Some people at the scene recognized the pair and started whispering.
"Sophia and Michael actually know Rodolfo?"
"They've even visited him at home; they must be pretty close, right?"
Others said in confusion, "If they're so close to Rodolfo, why is the Johnson Group's R&D so terrible?"
"Now that you mention it, I'm confused too. If they could consult with Rodolfo, the Johnson Group would have skyrocketed in the pharmaceutical industry long ago, right?"
"Oh, what's there to discuss? Rodolfo is old, and he's been living in the south for years, rarely coming to Emerald City. It's normal for him not to get involved in these things."
"Speaking of which, doesn't Rodolfo have a student? I remember this Sophia—isn't she also from this industry?"
At this comment, everyone around was incredulous.
"It's not her, is it?"
"She shamelessly stole someone else's formula. How could Rodolfo have taught someone like that?"
"I don't believe it either..."
"You'd better stop talking nonsense."
"If it's not Sophia, then did Rodolfo's student come or not? Where are they now?"
...
While the guests were discussing, Rodolfo withdrew his gaze from Sophia.
His eyes were cold, and his voice emotionless as he asked her, "What is it?"
He showed no intention of picking up his wine glass, just sat there seriously, not giving Sophia any face at all.
Sophia didn't feel embarrassed and continued with a smile, "Nothing much, I've just always admired you.
Years ago, I heard of the great name of 'Medica Vitae Sect.' Your medical skills are world-renowned. Everyone in the industry respects you, and many people outside the industry have admired you for a long time..."
Listening to Sophia's flattery, Rodolfo's expression remained unchanged.
He replied coolly, "No need for compliments. I'm not as great as you say."
"How could that be?"
Sophia put on an exaggerated expression and continued, "If you weren't that great, why would so many people break down your door seeking treatment every day? Don't be so modest..."
At this point, regardless of whether the old man was willing to give her face, she raised her wine glass and said, "Mr. McCoy, I'll drink first."
She drank it all in one gulp.
Then finally got to the point, "There are a bit too many people here, it's not convenient to chat. We've booked a hot spring hotel for you. If the timing works later, could you move over there, and we can have a proper talk?"
The guests around were even more shocked hearing this.
Did Sophia really know Rodolfo?
Everyone thought Rodolfo would agree.
But he didn't.
Rodolfo remained cool and said, "We'll see."
He still showed no intention of touching his wine glass.
Sophia couldn't quite read his attitude.
He didn't agree, but... he didn't seem to refuse either?
Did that mean they still had some chance?
With this thought, Sophia immediately perked up and pressed on, "Mr. McCoy, let me introduce you. This is the CEO of the Johnson Group, Michael.
Actually, there's some connection between you two.
In recent years, the Johnson Group has been dedicated to developing an AI medical system, and much of the data in it was researched from medical papers you've published...
Our CEO also greatly admires you."
As Sophia finished speaking, Michael, who had been silent, stepped forward and greeted the old man, "Mr. McCoy, hello, I'm Michael."
His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, showing his own dignity.
But when Rodolfo saw him, his expression suddenly darkened.
Daniel, watching the show from nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You can force a connection like that? Even if the system data was based on his work, what does that have to do with you? You didn't develop it, so what's there to talk about..."
As soon as Daniel spoke, Sophia's face stiffened with embarrassment.
What she worried about had happened again.
She was talking to Rodolfo—what business was it of Daniel's?
This Daniel always caused trouble for her!
Sophia clenched her fists, her hatred for Olivia deepening.
If it weren't for this woman, Daniel wouldn't be butting in!
After hearing Daniel's words, Michael also frowned.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became subtle.
Everyone knew that the online news had blown up before, and many people knew about the conflict between the two sides.
Now that these people were meeting again, there would probably be quite a show tonight...
The guests who had been whispering stopped talking and turned their attention here.
Olivia didn't say anything, as if the topic they were discussing had nothing to do with her, silently standing aside like an invisible person.
She noticed Rodolfo's change in expression before anyone else.
Rodolfo was already angry about her marrying Michael, and now the person he disliked had come uninvited, bringing up the stupid things from before.
She felt that after hearing this, Rodolfo would be angry with her again in his heart.
What an undeserved disaster.
In the surrounding silence, Michael spoke up, "Mr. Wilson, you're wrong. Regardless of who developed it, the development rights are indeed under the Johnson Group's name. What Sophia just said wasn't wrong."
Daniel sneered, "Indeed nothing wrong, but I'm just curious—does the Johnson Group have nothing else to show for itself?
After all this time, you still have to use what others developed to make conversation and build connections. At the previous summit, the Johnson Group won an award thanks to the system Olivia developed.
Now you're trying to connect with Mr. McCoy, still relying on the system Olivia made.
Ms. Brown, do you really enjoy standing on others' achievements to steal the spotlight and offer borrowed flowers?
You're a grown adult, can't you stand on your own?
Or do you think Mr. McCoy doesn't usually pay attention to this kind of news, so you want to use these things to fool him?"