Chapter 372

Graham Bennett gestured toward the young woman beside him. "This is my PhD candidate, Selene Lancaster."

Along with Selene, Graham had brought four other graduate students. Among them, she stood out as the sole representative from Lucerne.

The moment the crowd realized Selene was Graham's protégé, waves of envy rippled through the venue.

"Good heavens, she's actually Professor Bennett's doctoral student? That's incredible!"

"Not to mention stunningly beautiful. It's like the universe handed her every advantage. How utterly unfair."

"Wait—there's more. She's also Damien Harrington's girlfriend."

"No way. I can't handle this. Comparing yourself to others is downright depressing!"

In that instant, Selene became not just a focal point of the event, but also the object of intense jealousy among the younger attendees.

As whispers spread about her dual status—Graham's prized student and Damien's partner—one guest who'd just greeted Graham turned to Damien with a teasing grin. "Mr. Harrington, seems you've hit the jackpot in life, haven't you?"

Damien offered a polite smile, but before he could respond, Graham—having just learned his identity—clapped him on the shoulder.

"Not bad at all!" Graham boomed. "Though I hear you two have been dating for two years. Why no ring yet? Don't tell me you haven't won my student's heart? If that's the case, better step up your game—I'm rooting for you!"

The remark drew hearty laughter from those within earshot.

But not everyone found it amusing.

Camille Hartwell, Gabriel Ashcroft, and Tristan Rutherford remained stone-faced, as did Everett Mercer, who had just arrived.

Everett's entrance coincided with spotting Graham holding court beside Selene.

After an aide briefed him—identifying Graham as an AI luminary whose decade-long contributions had shaped the field, and more importantly, Selene's advisor—Everett's expression darkened.

When Graham began pressuring Damien about marriage, Everett's jaw tightened imperceptibly.

No trace of amusement touched his features.

Camille and Gabriel noticed his arrival but pointedly ignored him.

Though disillusioned with Gabriel, Everett felt obligated by their business ties and approached with stiff formality.

But unlike previous encounters—where he'd desperately tried to ingratiate himself despite cold shoulders—his tone now carried distinct frost.

Gabriel didn't bother with pretense either. With a derisive snort, he said, "Mr. Mercer, if pleasantries pain you, spare us both. Henceforth, outside the boardroom, we're strangers."

Everett's response came icily. "As you wish, Mr. Ashcroft."

His glare flickered to Camille with equal venom.

Gabriel nearly laughed at the sheer audacity.

Just then, Graham spotted Gabriel.

Gabriel's international reputation had preceded him—in fact, he was the primary reason for Graham's Lucerne visit.

As a legend from AI's pioneering generation, Graham had been eager to meet this era's rising star.

Without pretense, he strode forward with outstretched hand.

"Mr. Ashcroft, what an honor. Your team's latest breakthrough has captivated me—I've longed for substantive dialogue with you."

Gabriel's NovaSight Labs had shattered Lucerne's AI monopoly with their Horizon-CM project, leapfrogging competitors and dealing a crippling blow to the industry.

Their achievement had left foreign engineers scrambling. The more desperate they grew, the more they craved insights into Gabriel's methodology.

Thus, Graham wasn't alone—countless top-tier engineers worldwide coveted this very opportunity.

The problem? Until now, access had been impossible.

And Graham wasn't about to waste this chance.