From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 131

"The committee is in a tough spot," Silas Stanton, one of the primary organizers of the summit, hesitated. "I can't just take your word for her qualifications."

"Director Stanton," Lydia Sterling pulled up a page on her phone and handed it to him. "This is the research data and patents published by the renowned international scientist, Colton Witt. Please take a look at the secondary author's name at the bottom."

"Chloe Sterling. That's me." Lydia swiped to a photo of her ID badge from her time at The Zener Institute, along with several photos from prestigious award ceremonies.

Silas's eyes widened, shining as if he had just discovered a hidden treasure. "How did you..."

"It's a long story. It's not convenient for me to reveal my true identity right now, so I'm hoping you can keep this a secret," Lydia said, a bitter smile touching her lips.

"Of course."

The three of them stepped out of the lounge.

Harrison Zane and Lydia stood off to the side, choosing not to sit.

Seeing them lingering, Sierra Sutton looked incredibly smug. "I warned you several times not to try and scam your way in here, Lydia. The scientific community is built on real, hard facts. Did they spot your fake credentials right away?"

"Quiet!" Silas's stern voice cut through the room, instantly silencing the chatter. "I have an announcement to make."

Sierra whispered to Adkins Ashford, "Watch. He's definitely disqualifying The Zane Institute."

Adkins had been competing with Harrison since college and was desperate for a win. He looked just as thrilled. "Letting a talentless trophy wife join their team? The Zane Institute is done for."

"We are officially disqualifying Kingsleigh Research Institute."

Adkins's smirk froze. The mocking words died on his tongue. Realizing what had just been said, he sprang to his feet in panic. "Director Stanton, did you misspeak? How could it be Kingsleigh Research Institute?"

"Sierra Sutton, the candidate you submitted on your core roster, committed academic fraud. Her dissertation had a ninety-eight percent plagiarism rate, and her degree has already been revoked. The fact that your institute failed to catch something so glaring proves a severe lack of rigor. You are dismissed," Silas stated firmly.

"That's impossible! My paper was just published in a top-tier journal!" Sierra screamed.

"Then I imagine that journal will be contacting you very soon to demand their compensation back, along with damages for ruining their reputation."

Silas's voice dropped to a no-nonsense register. "Security, please escort all unauthorized personnel out of the building. The interviews are officially beginning."

The security guards moved in immediately. Sierra was just about to argue when her phone rang. She answered it, her face draining of color. "You're calling from the journal? You want the money back?"

Beside her, Adkins Ashford and Jasper Sinclair looked absolutely sick. They couldn't believe it. Because of Sierra, their institute had just lost their shot at a massive multi-million dollar national grant. How were they going to explain this to the board?

"What about The Zane Institute? Did Lydia get disqualified too?" Sierra demanded, refusing to go down alone.

If they were getting kicked out together, it would at least soften the blow.

"The Zane Institute has successfully passed the first round of interviews." Silas's tone softened significantly as he addressed them. "Mr. Zane, Ms. Sterling, you're free to head back for the day."

"Thank you."

Harrison nodded politely, and Lydia followed suit.

"How did this happen..." Sierra muttered, shoved toward the exit by security. Watching Lydia and Harrison walk away victorious made her chest ache with burning resentment. Her gaze darkened into a vicious glare.

To celebrate passing the first round, Harrison brought Lydia to The Pulse, a high-end lounge.

"Alright."

She signed her name, though it still felt like far too generous of an offer.

Even if he had agreed to it last night.

Feeling slightly dazed, Lydia finally left the booth.

She stepped into a bathroom stall. Suddenly, a massive splash of freezing water rained down from above.

She gasped, the icy shock soaking her to the bone. "Who's out there?"

She pushed against the door, only to find it had been jammed shut from the outside.

Nobody answered. Another bucket of ice water cascaded over her, chilling her body until she was trembling uncontrollably.

Fumbling with freezing fingers, she pulled out her phone and dialed Harrison's number.

Footsteps soon echoed outside the door. "Harrison, please help me! I'm locked in!"

The door was shoved open, and she stumbled forward in a blind panic.

Because of the slight drop from the stall to the main floor, her shivering, soaked body lost its balance. With her vision blurred from the water, she pitched forward—landing squarely against a firm, broad chest. She looked up, her breath catching as she met Xavier's flawless, handsome face.

"Frederick, I told you she was up to no good. I saw her hugging a man at the summit today, and now she's dragging guys into bathroom stalls... God knows what she does behind your back." Sierra's voice rang out, accompanied by the rapid approach of footsteps.