The CEO’s Regret My Ex-Wife is a Tech Goddess novel Chapter 52

"Now that it's my turn to conduct this ceremony, I've thought long and hard about what inheritance truly means and what its real purpose is. I have taught countless students, many of whom are incredibly bright and capable.

"While some go on to achieve great fame and success, others must take up the heavy burden of this legacy, willing to be the unsung heroes who continue nurturing outstanding talent for our nation and its people.

"Therefore, I want to pass on this strength of silent dedication to a young professor from the Semiconductor Academy. His name is Jonathan Cole. He is the most responsible, outstanding educator I have ever met, a man who refused to miss a single class even while battling a severe illness."

The moment the words left his mouth, an uproar swept through the venue.

The recipient of this prestigious honor wasn't Apex's Lily Summers, but some unknown, ordinary professor?

People began whispering, asking each other who Jonathan was while scanning the room.

Those who had been harboring intense jealousy didn't miss a beat, immediately kicking Lily while she was down with barely concealed mockery:

"Putting on such a huge show, only for it to be a massive disappointment."

"What a joke. How humiliating. If I were her, I'd get the hell out of here."

"Who cares if she has backing? This is a place that values academia and real contributions. The Summers family doesn't run things here."

......

The surrounding sneers seemed amplified a hundredfold. Lily stood completely frozen like a wax figure, her stiff smile magnified under the glaring spotlight, making the situation infinitely more awkward.

Only when the spotlight finally moved away could she breathe again, nearly losing her footing.

Ethan Harrington quickly wrapped an arm around her waist, asking softly, "Are you okay?"

Beside them, Julian Rowe patted her back, offering a comforting gaze and silently telling her not to let it get to her.

Lily maintained the smile on her face, keeping her chin held high as she clapped along with the crowd, but her teeth were grinding together so hard her jaw ached.

She nervously cast a sidelong glance at Silas.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify