"You don't understand respect and seniority. People from the countryside just don't understand the rules."The old lady, Lainy Laska, a native of the Imperial Capital, looked down on anywhere that was not a metropolis."Fourth Grandmother, it is what it is. After all, Alora has never gone abroad for further studies. She has never seen what the world has to offer. Naturally, she doesn't understand the rules of the aristocratic circle in the Imperial Capital." A stylish girl on the side folded her arms on her chest and mocked."What's your name?" Lainy looked at her.The girl looked overjoyed. "My name is Miralda. I graduated from Qale University overseas. I just returned to Lindorm.""Well, yes, after all, there are children who have seen the world." Lainy nodded, expressing approval.On the side, Gustav and his wife were smiling triumphantly.Lainy had praised their daughter in public, but she looked down on Alora instead. That meant that Miralda Latham was better than Alora.C
What the hell?Was it a joke when the Latham elders chose Alora as the heir? How could she join the Imperial Capital's aristocracy?Lainy would show those savages the cruel environment in the Imperial Capital. Even if the main Latham family accepted them back into their ranks, they could only live with their tails between their legs. If they dared to be presumptuous, they would be taught a lesson they would never forget.Ashton smiled as he held the teacup. His energy seeped into the tea, and the warm tea instantly boiled."Didn't you say that the water was too cold? Please accept this cup of boiling tea with a smile." Ashton poured it onto her face.Lainy rose from her seat, drenched."It's hot, it's burning me!" Lainy screamed so loud that her voice might have been heard from miles away."You little shit! What did you do!" Florence was going crazy. How dare he!"Arrest him! Hurry up and arrest him! This is simply lawless!" Gilbert was also dumbfounded.He thought Ashton was
"What did you say? Alora can't hear you."Ashton spoke as they stood at the door.Alora covered her mouth and giggled. 'Ash is so terrible. But he looks so charming when he's protecting me.'Lainy looked furious."Alora, I have something to tell you.""Your voice is too soft." Ashton waved his hand."Alora!""I overstepped. I misspoken. I will make it up to you." Lainy's attitude softened.She did not want to apologize, but she feared Alora would act up. Lainy would be guilty if Alora left the Latham family and gave up on being their heir.Alora turned around. "You and I have no grievances with each other. Even though I don't know why you would do this to me, I can tell that you don't mean your apology. You just did it out of fear. I won't accept it.""Alora!" Miralda sneered. "Aren't you taking yourself too seriously? Fourth Grandmother apologized to you. How dare you not accept it? You're not an aristocrat, so who do you think you are?""It's none of your business. You'd b
Ashton reached out to dial Kendra's number, but Alora grabbed his hand to stop him. "I've got this," she said. "I just need to secure 140 million dollars in investment. Combined with my company's contribution, it will be sufficient."Alora always maintained a certain duality in her personality. Around Ashton, she showed her softer, more vulnerable side. Yet, in public, she remained resolute, never showing weakness. She confessed that she once was jealous of Ashton's closeness with Kendra. That lingering jealousy made it hard for her to accept Kendra's help, especially through Ashton.Recognizing her struggle, Ashton put his phone away and gave Alora a comforting glance. Together, they left the living room and headed outside."Don't worry," Ashton said, comforting her. "I have my ways. By tonight, I'll find the perfect project for you."Alora shook her head, smiling, "With the formula in my possession, securing a few million in investments should not be an issue."She narrowed her
In the end, Ashton chose to remain silent. If he could not bring happiness to someone, it was best not to interfere with their decisions or leave room for speculation. Such restraint was the very least form of respect he could offer.Two days flew by.On the third day, Ashton arrived at the headquarters of Royal Sealift Group. Miss Smith, the person responsible for the project's day-to-day operations, hefted a substantial stack of documents onto the table and handed a prepared speech to Ashton. Wiping sweat from her brow, she said hesitantly, "Mister Levin, this speech was penned by a life energy professor from Edren University. Miss Lockwood suggests that you just read from it during the event. If anyone tries to corner you, remain silent. We have appointed specific personnel onsite to handle detailed queries.""Corner me? Why would anyone try to corner me?" After skimming through the speech, Ashton laughed, then set it on the table.Caught off guard by Ashton's query, Jocelyn Smi
"What? Ashton?" Miralda's surprise was evident. She wondered if it was a coincidence because many people share the same name. The significance of the launch event had drawn global attention from the research community. How could Alora's husband, whom she had dismissed as an uneducated country bumpkin, be the central figure?One of the attendees, a blonde woman, remarked with disdain, "All these Lindorm names sound so alike. It's hard to tell them apart."Haze remarked with a sly grin. "Let's just sit back and see. The esteemed Professor Bryce will be arriving shortly. He has always believed that outsiders can't produce revolutionary research. I can't wait to watch this event become a comedy."Laughter echoed among their group, all seemingly in agreement. Their primary reason for attending in force was evident—to discredit whatever was presented and shut down what they viewed as a globally mocked event.Yet, as the event began, there was no preamble or lengthy introductions. It cut
The cacophony of laughter reverberated, each chuckle like a slap across Alora's face. She hung her head low, a pool of dismay forming in her eyes. Even with her limited exposure to life sciences, she could fathom that Ashton's theories were, by conventional wisdom, eccentric at best and absurd at worst. It seemed he had turned a groundbreaking event into the comedic highlight of the scientific year."Alora, aren't you going to say anything about your husband?" Miralda jeered, amplifying her voice to ensure everyone knew Alora's connection to the man on the stage.Whispers of disapproval soon reached Alora's ears."What a waste. Such a beautiful woman married to a fraudster.""How can someone spewing such nonsense have ever been educated?"Haze sidled up to them, his eyes fixed intently on Alora, a sly grin playing on his lips. "My dear," he said, his tone dripping with insinuation. "Your husband is foolishly arrogant; perhaps you'd appreciate a more knowledgeable companion? How ab
"Perhaps, in the colorful colloquialisms of Lindorm Land, such fantasies might be entertained in a daytime reverie." Professor Bryce smirked, the audience's laughter echoing his amusement."From the 18th century to the present, not only in Sunoria but also in realms like Sabrinoe and Marqus, there have been tales of superheroes, people attempting to alter genes and engineer enhanced beings. However, with the progression of life sciences, it became clear that movies remain just that—cinematic dreams. Scientific pursuits are grounded in reality, advancing cautiously one step at a time. Hasty genetic mutations in search of rapid progress have become the laughingstock of the scientific world."Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. The distinguished professor's words held undeniable weight, and he effortlessly showcased the true believers of scientific exploration and the charlatans among them.Many glances directed at Ashton shifted from initial curiosity to sheer disdain."He se