Chapter 235

Chapter 235
Fred’s POV

 

The air in the office was stagnant. My assistant handed me the fax, his voice trembling: "OmniFront Labs demands that we immediately terminate our cooperation with Nelson Tech Group and Skyline Innovations, or they will reassess our partnership."

 

"Vivian is truly pushing us to the brink." The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, slamming my fountain pen onto the desk; the sound echoed through the empty floor. Who does she think she is? A queen?

 

The assistant whispered a suggestion: "Mr. Knight, losing this project is a huge loss, why not agree for now and think of a counter-strategy later..."

 

"Shut up!" I stood up abruptly, pointing at him and shouting, "Betray Hazel for a project? In your dreams! I’m not that kind of unfaithful wretch. She’s in trouble now, and I will never stand idly by. The more that self-righteous Vivian tries to force my hand, the less I’ll let her get her way!"

 

The assistant was so scared he retreated in a hurry.

 

Not long after, Royce called. I picked it up, my voice cold and hard. "Uncle Royce."

 

His tone was authoritative yet unyielding. "Agree with Vivian immediately. Nelson Tech Group is involved in criminal offenses like heavy metal excess; if you get caught up in it, no one can save you."

 

I was so angry my cheeks flushed, and I growled into the phone: "Hazel is my friend! Vivian is clearly settling a personal score! She has a grudge against Hazel, why should I cooperate?"

 

Royce’s voice turned chillingly cold. "Giving up the company’s future for a woman? If you dare to defy me, don't ever return to the Knight family or the Rivera family."

 

I clenched my jaw, my knuckles creaking from the pressure, and spat out coldly: "I don't need you to worry about it."

 

After hanging up, I stared at the darkened screen, my eyes full of戾气 (malice). I don’t believe that in Oceancrest City, anyone can truly cover the sky with one hand!

 

---

 

Vivian’s POV

 

OmniFront Labs.

 

I sat behind my desk, looking at the latest organizational chart. The new AI project department had been marked out, and "Global Recruitment in Progress" was written in the dashed box.

 

I thought for a moment, picked up my pen, and added a few more strokes to the chart.

 

My assistant, Quinn, knocked and entered, looking distressed, holding a phone. "Ms. Wilson, Fred has explicitly refused our terms. Not only did he not terminate the cooperation, but he also publicly stated in an internal meeting that OmniFront Labs is bullying them, and he will absolutely not compromise."

 

I stayed calm. "I see."

 

Quinn stood by the desk, brow furrowed. "Although Knight Group doesn't measure up to us, they have deep roots locally and a vast network. If we tear the mask off completely like this, will it..."

 

I set down the pen and watched her calmly. "When I first worked with Fred, it was purely for Royce’s sake. Since he wants to terminate the partnership voluntarily, we are liberated. Knight Group is fine in traditional industries, but they’ve been left behind in cutting-edge technology."

 

I leaned back, my gaze certain. "With or without this partner, OmniFront Labs will continue to be the industry leader."

 

Quinn smiled slightly. "You’re right. I was overthinking it."

 

She turned to leave, but her phone suddenly rang.

 

It was Dylan.

 

I hesitated for a moment, then answered, my tone cold. "What is it?"

 

"Vivian, we need to meet." Dylan’s voice was heavy and suppressed. "There are some things that must be discussed in person."

 

"If it’s not an emergency, given our current relationship, there’s no need to meet."

 

Dylan was silent for a moment. "It’s about business."

 

"Can’t you say it over the phone?" My patience was exhausted.

 

Another silence followed, then Dylan’s voice carried a hint of testing. "The Nelson Family situation... is it your doing?"

 

I let out a cold laugh. "Your imagination is truly rich."

 

"I was just asking," Dylan replied.

 

The fire in my heart ignited instantly. "Dylan, if you’re sick, go to the hospital and register."

 

I hung up directly.

 

I took a deep breath, calmed myself down, reopened the documents on the desk, and continued reading.

 

In the evening, I met with Professor Taylor at a quiet restaurant.

 

The lighting in the private room was soft, and a few delicate, light dishes were on the table. Professor Taylor’s hair was whiter than when I last saw him, but he was in high spirits.

 

We chatted about company structure for a while, and Professor Taylor suddenly changed the subject. "Vivian, the people above have a high opinion of you. At the last internal meeting, Mark specifically mentioned the achievements of the SkyEye System, saying your contribution was indispensable."

 

He paused, finally revealing his true intention. "Someone asked me to inquire, would you be willing to take a position at the base?"

 

I set down the silver fork, turned to Professor Taylor, and said seriously, "Professor Taylor, the company cannot function without me right now. Sentience BioTech has only just started, the AI project just launched, and the Brain-Computer Interface project is under intensive preparation for market launch. These links are all connected; I truly lack the bandwidth."

 

I paused, my tone sincere yet firm. "However, if the base needs technical support, I can go help at any time. As for the formal position you mentioned... let's forget it."

 

Professor Taylor nodded in understanding, not forcing the issue. "That is human nature. Everyone has their own ambitions, and I fully respect your decision."

 

I smiled in return and raised my coffee cup to signal him.

 

The next day, OmniFront Labs officially announced the launch of the AI project.

 

Once the news was released, the official website crashed three times in half an hour due to a surge in traffic. In the HR department’s inbox, resumes poured in like snowflakes, and the four-digit volume made even the server feel the strain.

 

This big move attracted the attention of countless companies, and many rival CEOs called Quinn, trying to probe for inside information.

 

Brian was no exception, but what he was concerned about was obviously not the project itself.

 

"Vivian, do you need any help with the AI project? Regardless of funds or talent, just ask."

 

I smiled and replied, "I can handle it for now. If I need help, I won't be polite."

 

"I want to help, but I don't know where to start." Brian sighed helplessly over the phone. "Alright then, I won’t disturb your work."

 

At that moment, the office door was banged open.

 

Quinn rushed in, her voice changed. "Ms. Wilson, something happened!"

 

I took the tablet. On the screen was a news push from early that morning, with the headline highlighted in bold red:

 

Nelson Tech Group Crisis is a frame-up, involved employee testifies: Instigated by OmniFront Labs.

 

In the news image, the employee named Ben was pixelated, head down, confessing into a microphone: "That evidence was all fake; I falsified it. People from OmniFront Labs found me, gave me money, and told me to report Nelson Tech Group. I was possessed by a ghost, I’m sorry to everyone, and I’m even more sorry to Nelson Tech Group."

 

My brows furrowed, and a cold arc formed at the corners of my lips—not a smile, but the clarity of seeing through everything in an instant.

 

I immediately understood the mastermind behind this scheme.

 

The Nelson family, what a strategy. To shift the blame, they didn't even hesitate to cook up such a despicable lie to frame me.

 

I returned the tablet to Quinn, my voice as cold as quenched ice. "Contact the Legal Department. Sue that lying employee directly; show no mercy."

 

Quinn was about to turn around when I called her back. "Wait."

 

I looked down at the abusive comments flooding the internet. This topic had already surged into the top three trending searches, and the number of comments was increasing by the second.

 

I calmly took screenshots of those defamatory posts and vicious comments, saving them as evidence.

 

"Send these screenshots to the Legal Department as well. Tell them, not only to sue that employee but also to launch a lawsuit against these internet troll groups. This time, I’m going to catch them all."

 

I looked up at Quinn. "If we can follow the trail, it would be even better if we catch the mastermind."

 

"No problem." Quinn took the tablet and glanced at it, unable to help but gasp.

 

The remarks from these trolls were too vicious; between the lines were words insulting me, and some even claimed it was because I was jealous of Hazel that I would do such a low-down act.

 

What utter nonsense!

 

"These people are just crazy!" Quinn said, feeling indignant for me.

 

I just smiled calmly. "Why be afraid? Keep these as evidence. The more viciously they curse, the more sufficient the evidence will be."