The Scent of 396

Chapter 396

+25 BONOS

Chapter 396

Some time ago, when Cayden found out that a paper he had highly praised during peer review was actually written by someone from YodaVision, he made a special trip to Ceravelle just to meet Celeste and Matthias.

During that visit, he told her that if she had joined YodaVision when she returned to Ceravelle last year, she would have made significant progress.

At that time, she wholeheartedly agreed and felt that Celeste had deliberately blocked her from entering YodaVision, causing her to miss a crucial opportunity for personal development.

But now, seeing so clearly how much Celeste had grown in less than a year by staying at Matthias‘ side, she realized she may have lost far more than she originally thought.

After all, it wasn’t just Matthias–there was also Zachary.

Zachary’s formidable strength, along with his access to the most up–to–date and critical information in the field, played a huge role in the growth of both Matthias and Celeste.

Just as her mother had said, if she had successfully joined YodaVision back then, with her intelligence and capabilities, her progress would’ve undoubtedly been even faster than Celeste’s. 2

But there was no if. All of that was just wishful thinking now.

As these thoughts ran through her mind, she looked at Celeste with cold eyes. “No wonder she was willing to leave the Fleming Group back then. So, that was her plan all along.”

Thinking back to how Celeste had left Fleming Group, gotten close to Matthias, and blocked her daughter’s path into YodaVision–all part of a calculated chain of moves–and looking at everything Celeste had now, Lilian finally realized Celeste was anything but simple.

She said coldly, “I never imagined she could be this manipulative.” 4

Celeste was still speaking with others. But when she turned her head and caught the mother and daughter looking at her, she also sensed the coldness in their eyes.

In the past, whenever those two saw her, their expressions had been full of disdain or disregard. Today’s expression was quite the change.

But she had no interest in digging deeper.

She didn’t care to waste time figuring out what had shifted in their attitude–she simply turned her gaze away indifferently.

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Chapter 396

+25 BONOS

To Wynn and Lilian, however, this reaction only confirmed what they were already thinking- Celeste was smug and arrogant.

It was as if she had already trampled them underfoot.

And today, Celeste was indeed basking in the spotlight. Her pride seemed understandable.

Considering the value of her research paper, Celeste had, in terms of expertise, already surpassed Wynn.

But…

Celeste had Matthias. She had technical prowess.

But Wynn had Trevor.

Lilian regained her composure and said calmly, “She won’t stay on top forever.”

She didn’t believe that things between Celeste and Matthias would remain stable forever.

When Wynn thought about Trevor’s feelings for her and the fact that Jordyn liked her more than Celeste, who had raised her, Wynn, like Lilian, calmed down.

When she looked at Celeste again, her gaze once more filled with contempt.

But she added, “I have to admit, I’ve been slacking off in my research lately. It’s time for me to refocus and return to my studies.”

Even if those around her couldn’t help her professionally the way Matthias and Zachary could, as long as she kept at it, kept learning and growing, it was still too soon to say who would have the greater achievements in the future.

Lilian, naturally, supported this mindset. She said, “You can let Trevor help you.” 2

Wynn curled her lips into a confident smile and said, “I know. As long as I ask, Trevor will absolutely help me.”

With that, she stopped paying attention to Celeste entirely and rejoined the crowd to continue networking.

But unlike earlier, when she was mostly speaking with company representatives, this time, she found herself engaging with the symposium’s leading experts. (2)

Chapter 397