She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 139

"Oh? Does that mean you don't miss your mom anymore? Weren't you crying for her just a little while ago?" Cora asked, baiting him.

Miles puffed out his cheeks defensively. "I didn't miss her! I just wasn't used to her being gone. Plus, I was sick back then!"

*Besides,* he thought to himself, *Mom clearly doesn't miss me. If she did, she would have come back by now. Since she hasn't, she doesn't care.*

Furthermore, he knew his mom hated Sylvie. If his mom came back, Sylvie would have to leave. And he didn't want Sylvie to leave—then who would play with him and build robots?

With that logic cemented in his little head, Miles declared, "I don't want Mom to come back anyway! I have Sylvie, and that's enough!"

Having made his point, he grabbed Sylvie's hand and dragged her back to the living room to finish the robot.

Valery sighed heavily. "You see, Herbert? Hulda is such a colossal failure of a mother that even her own flesh and blood can't stand her."

"Exactly. I'm telling you, Herbert, just divorce her and marry Sylvie," Cora eagerly chimed in.

Herbert shot her an icy glare. "Mind your own business."

...

Friday morning. The press conference was scheduled for ten o'clock at The National Concourse for Science and Technology.

It was the highest-level academic and technological summit in the entire region.

Everything, from the venue to the security protocols, was state-of-the-art.

Every attendee was required to pre-register with their full, verified identification. Even with a confirmed invitation, they had to clear a rigorous physical security checkpoint before being granted entry.

Furthermore, all electronics were strictly prohibited inside, and every single person had to sign an ironclad non-disclosure agreement.

Representing H&J Technologies were Herbert, Sylvie, the bespectacled manager, and two other senior executives.

Since Justin wasn't on the technical side and their invitations were strictly limited, he had stayed back at the office.

Herbert and Sylvie arrived at the Concourse around nine-forty. The manager and the other executives were already waiting for them by the entrance.

Spotting them, the manager practically sprinted over, eagerly taking Sylvie's briefcase. "Mr. Jewell! Ms. Sinclair! Let's get in line. They've already started the security checks."

Herbert checked his watch. They had less than twenty minutes before the event officially kicked off. "Alright, let's go."

The manager buzzed with nervous energy as he trailed behind them. "This is incredible. I never dreamed I'd get to attend a summit of this caliber! It's the Quantum Crystal Laboratory!"

"The Quantum Crystal Oscillator Gyroscope is easily the greatest invention of the decade! Not only is it entirely homegrown tech, but it completely leads the global market. Best of all, it entirely shattered the Western monopolies in this sector!" one of the other executives gushed.

"Let's move. We still have a bit of a walk to the main hall," Herbert instructed.

The conference was being held in the VIP auditorium deep inside the Concourse. The main security checkpoint was inside, but they still had to clear a preliminary badge check at the outer perimeter.

The group had their credentials in hand and were marching toward the outer gates when a taxi abruptly screeched to a halt right in front of them.

"What's with this car? Why did they stop right here?!" the manager complained loudly.

"Just walk around it," Herbert told Sylvie, placing a hand on her elbow.

Just then, the rear door swung open. Hulda stepped out, laden with bags and looking incredibly frantic.

She had been at the lab working on the final presentation details until the early hours of the morning. While she had woken up on time, she realized just as she was leaving her apartment that she had left the couture outfit Dr. Atherton sent her back at her office.

She had been forced to detour back to the institute to grab it before racing across town to the Concourse, clutching the clothes and all her presentation materials.

She figured she would just find a restroom at the venue to change.

She hadn't expected to step out of the cab and walk directly into Herbert and his entourage.