Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 319

Xavier kept a protective arm around Lilith's shoulders and addressed the press. "Today is a celebration of national technological achievement. I hope everyone will focus their lenses on our country's innovation rather than trivial gossip. Thank you."

He guided Lilith into the venue. Given the Sterling Group's massive influence, his assigned seat was dead center in the front row.

As his wife, Lilith's seat was right beside him.

An event usher in an elegant evening gown bowed slightly, leading them toward their section.

"Xavier! Lilith!" Julian's voice called out from behind them.

Xavier and Lilith stopped, waiting for him to catch up.

Xavier cast a cold, dismissive glance at Yates Hawthorne, who was standing a short distance away. "What's he doing here? Didn't you win the award?"

One of Julian's corporate projects had won an award today. Specifically, the R&D team under Julian's management had secured the win, making Julian the one accepting the trophy.

As for Yates...

"The old man forced him to come so he could 'broaden his horizons.'"

Lilith beamed. "Congratulations, Julian. Let's celebrate tonight after you claim your trophy."

"You got it, Lilith."

Just then, a commotion erupted near the entrance. Harrison, Wesley, and their team had arrived. Their latest breakthrough was highly anticipated, having sent shockwaves through the medical community the moment it was announced.

From where the trio stood, they had a perfect view of the arriving VIPs.

But alongside Harrison and Wesley, they saw Summer.

Summer's outfit was sleek and commanding—a tailored black suit paired with stiletto heels. Her dark hair was slicked back, her makeup was flawless and understated, and the diamond earrings and necklace she wore caught the brilliant overhead lights.

Flanked by Harrison on her left and Wesley on her right, she was walking right down the center of the red carpet!

Lilith stared at her, completely utterly speechless.

She suddenly remembered Summer boasting that her project was going to win an award. Did she actually win?

But Lilith had scoured the nominee list. Summer's name wasn't anywhere on it.

Aside from the medical tech collaboration with Professor Banks and Dr. Whitmore, FutureTech Systems hadn't won anything else.

The screening process for these awards was fiercely rigorous.

Even a corporate behemoth like the Sterling Group only managed to secure a few core technology awards each year.

Even if the medical project won, what did that have to do with Summer?

Summer wasn't on the research and development team. She had absolutely zero involvement in the project.

How could she shamelessly claim it as her own?

She must be attending as a proxy for Gavin Loomis.

Lilith hadn't realized Gavin favored her that much, actually handing over such a massive PR opportunity to her.

No wonder she had smugly told Bennett about an 'unprecedented tsunami of media exposure.'

Walking the red carpet flanked by Professor Banks and Dr. Whitmore was the definition of viral publicity.

What a shame she hadn't earned a single drop of it through her own merit.

As soon as the media dug into it, she would be exposed as a fraud who had accomplished nothing yet dared to strut down the center of the carpet.

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