Miranda shook her head.
She had two reasons for initiating this research project. One was to fulfill her father’s dream, and the other was to secure a legitimate job that would help her fight for custody in the future.
That was why, before the project was officially established, she didn’t want Felix to know what she was working on
“James,” she said softly, turning to James with a sincere look in her eyes, “there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
James had a hunch about what she was going to say. Still, he asked, “You want me to give the presentation in your place, don’t you?”
“It would be much more convincing coming from someone with your credentials,” Miranda nodded.
James had already read through her speech. With his exceptional memory, he had practically memorized it. Delivering it wouldn’t be a problem. Still, he hesitated. This compelling speech was Miranda’s work. It deserved to be credited to her.
Looking at her, he murmured with a trace of pain in his eyes, “How could someone not treasure a woman as brilliant and beautiful as you?”
Miranda lowered her gaze. She saw the care in his expression, but she couldn’t return it.
The conference hall was already filling up with some of the city’s top corporate leaders. Many CEOs and board chairs had shown up in person.
Lucas gave a passionate opening speech, then James took the stage to present the lab’s research direction.
He wore a high–neck black sweater under a light gray suit jacket. His speech was clear, precise, and confident. With every word and gesture, he exuded the poise of a true medical expert.
Miranda didn’t miss a second of the presentation. She sat quietly in the last row, looking calm and gentle, like a university student. No one could have guessed that the powerful ideas and forward–thinking concepts in James’s speech had all come from her.
“Thank goodness it’s James up there,” one colleague whispered. “I heard it was a last–minute switch. With so many big–name investors in the room today, if Miranda had gone on stage, she probably would’ve scared them all off.”
“Exactly,” the other one replied. “I saw her name in the announcement email and felt embarrass even finish college. How could she represent the whole research group? What a joke.”
“I bet even Fiona would’ve been more convincing than her.”
our team. She didn’t
The two were chatting freely in the front row, completely unaware that Miranda was seated just a few rows behind them.
She sat quietly, listening without flinching. With her current academic background and credentials, it was true that she had little to no credibility. Being mocked behind her back was something she had expected.
But right now, she needed the support of this team. And she needed a strong, credible investor.
As she watched James onstage, immersed in his commanding delivery, she suddenly felt a gaze on her.
Turning her head slightly, she saw Felix standing just outside the conference hall, holding a phone to his ear. At some point, he had stepped out to take a call. Now, those cold, unreadable eyes of his were fixed directly on her.
Their eyes met for three long seconds before Miranda was the first to look away.
A few minutes later, she quietly slipped out of the conference hall and went up to the office on the tenth floor to rest.
Half an hour later, a message from Lucas came in.
“Mira, where are you? We’re about to have a team meeting.”
Chapter
“I’m upstairs in the office,” she replied.
Just then, a second message popped up. It was from James.
“Stay where you are for now. Felix seems interested in talking about a partnership. He’s still here.”
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