She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 146

"Mr. Jewell..." Sylvie looked at Herbert, not understanding why Caspian would treat her like that. Didn't he realize how much gossip a comment like that would trigger?

Especially at a highly formal event surrounded by the industry's most powerful people.

Herbert's mood was equally foul. Being blatantly ignored by both Dr. Atherton and Caspian back-to-back stung deeply.

He wasn't an idiot. He could tell something detrimental was happening behind the scenes, something he was entirely in the dark about.

Otherwise, why would Dr. Atherton and Caspian target him? He had no prior grudges with either man.

First Dr. Lowe, now Caspian and Dr. Atherton...

Herbert racked his brain but simply couldn't figure out what he could have possibly done to warrant such a united front of hostility.

What baffled him the most was that Caspian iced him out, yet still allowed him to get the entry passes.

It completely defied logic.

Seeing Sylvie looking so deeply wronged, Herbert softened his voice to comfort her. "It's fine. Dr. Lowe probably has some sort of misunderstanding about us, and it's indirectly influenced Dr. Atherton and Caspian. When we see Dr. Lowe today, we'll explain things face-to-face. It'll be alright."

It was the only logical explanation Herbert could come up with. Otherwise, he couldn't fathom why they would be so aggressive right out of the gate.

Sylvie swallowed her grievances and nodded. "But... judging by Dr. Atherton's attitude, does this mean H&J has no hope for the bid?"

"No," Herbert said with absolute certainty. "Since it's a public bid, it will be strictly supervised by regulatory departments. Everything is transparent and fair. There won't be any under-the-table manipulation. The Conrad Atherton Institute guarantees that much."

Sylvie stayed quiet, though her heart still ached from the humiliation, especially when she caught people throwing covert, judging glances her way.

The launch was about to begin. After a brief networking session with Dr. Atherton and Caspian, the attendees began finding their seats.

A moment ago, Sylvie thought Caspian's comment was just a deliberate insult.

She hadn't expected his actual date to be here.

But...

Sylvie studied the woman's cheap, generic suit—clearly an inexpensive knock-off bought online—and fell deep into thought.

She was Caspian Sterling's date, yet she wore something so incredibly cheap?

Herbert didn't care about the woman's clothes; he was analyzing her identity.

The woman walked briskly toward the front row. Just when Herbert and Sylvie assumed she was heading for Caspian, they were stunned to see her stop directly in front of Dr. Atherton.