Chapter 173 Publicly Exposed

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Publicly Exposed

The guests present today were all top figures from various industries. They had long-standing, mutually beneficial business relationships with the Sterling family and had been invited to attend.

Sophie Winslow walked toward the front row step by step, thunderous applause echoing in her ears.

With near apathy, she watched Stella Sutton, who had already taken the center stage.

Stella was long accustomed to being the center of attention. She smiled with perfect ease. "As everyone knows, Longview is a smart medical company under Sterling Corp, ranking among the top three in the country. The products we’ve launched in recent years have all been the best of the best, so today, I am also here to present you with a result I am highly satisfied with.

"Everyone has probably heard about Longview’s recent moves," she continued, looking exceptionally dazzling—radiant and brimming with confidence. "We have established an independent project research and development team, of which I am the lead director. The initial testing phase of our R&D has gone extremely smoothly."

A CEO holding a wine glass asked in surprise, "That efficient?"

Stella smiled modestly. "In my opinion, it’s nothing extraordinary. We are a mature team. If we must talk about the key factor... it would probably be the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years. I’ve studied some rather precious medical data recently, including various formula documents, which, combined with our medical guidance robots, form a powerful alliance. With the foundation laid in previous years, things are naturally progressing much faster now."

"It sounds like Miss Sutton has a secret weapon up her sleeve, doesn’t it?"

At this, Stella raised her chin almost imperceptibly. "This is the other piece of good news I want to announce today. I have registered several medical patents. If we have the opportunity to collaborate in the future, I hope you will all be satisfied with the results."

At the back of the venue.

Madam Sterling and the others had just arrived when they heard Stella’s announcement.

Barbara Coleman’s expression shifted as she watched the high-profile Stella. "How could Julian publicly bring her to such an important occasion today!"

She was furious. The last time her son, Charles Sterling, was released on parole, Stella had called the police again, claiming she was terrified, which led the authorities to temporarily take Charles back to prison. She absolutely loathed that wretched woman!

Madam Sterling, however, raised a hand to stop her. "She has patents under her name?"

This came as a great surprise to her. It seemed Stella was more capable than she had imagined.

Choked by the older woman’s words, Barbara didn’t dare to argue. She could only glare resentfully at the immensely high-profile and radiant Stella in the distance.

Noticing the arrival of Madam Sterling’s group, Stella immediately added, "What I applied for are core, high-value patents—the absolute top tier. As a member of Longview, my primary hope is that this will help us establish partnerships with even more people. I can also promise that in the future, no matter which medical institution uses my medical guidance products, the data and patents within will be free for the first year!"

There were indeed many tycoons from the medical industry present today. Hearing Stella’s words, they turned to look at Julian Sterling, who had been standing not far away the entire time. "Miss Sutton has great vision! Mr. Sterling has a great eye; you’ve really found a treasure."

"Isn’t that the truth?" another chimed in. "Everyone knows the immense value of core, high-value patents. She can be called a genius. Longview’s competitiveness will be much stronger from now on."

Julian merely gave a faint, upward quirk of his lips. "You flatter us."

Madam Sterling was also taken aback for a moment. Looking at the perpetually indifferent Julian, she—having weathered countless storms throughout her life—almost instantly grasped the crux of today’s events.

Her eldest grandson was likely using the Sterling family’s peak influence today to deliberately push Stella into the limelight. He wanted to force the Sterlings to acknowledge Stella’s excellence, leaving them with nothing to say. More than that, he was giving Stella a gilded reputation and publicly binding her to the Sterling family, as well as to Longview.

Especially now. The people present had clearly already grouped Stella into the ranks of the Sterlings.

Barbara also saw through this and hurriedly said, "Mom, Julian’s head has been turned by that woman! You can’t just sit back and do nothing!"

Madam Sterling frowned. She was well aware of how much glory Stella was basking in today, but if they simply went with the flow and accepted her, then any chance between Julian and Sophie would be truly severed today...

In the current situation, even though Stella had indeed brought glory to the Sterling family, it also put them in a very passive position. The family didn’t want to directly acknowledge Stella’s status, yet they couldn’t deny it either. It looked more like they were tacitly agreeing that Stella was going to become a member of the Sterling family. This was all part of Julian’s calculation.

Using today’s occasion, Julian had made Stella and the Sterling family share the same honor and disgrace.

Sophie was in no rush to confront Stella. She was still waiting. Waiting for the perfect opportunity.

At that moment, someone suddenly asked, "So, are Miss Sutton and Mr. Sterling truly tying the knot soon?"

This question required a direct answer. Julian finally lifted his eyes slightly.

Sophie also looked over, a faint, absurd mockery dancing in the depths of her eyes.

Julian sensed Sophie’s gaze, and his eyes locked onto her face for a split second. Then, his gaze slowly landed on Madam Sterling’s face, seemingly releasing some kind of signal.

Madam Sterling’s face darkened; she suspected Julian was planning to admit to it directly. Not giving him a chance to speak, she strode forward. "Thank you all. Miss Sutton does indeed have ties with the Sterling family, but one thing will not change: Stella is now a hero to Longview and, more importantly, a young talent the Sterling Group is heavily investing in."

Julian raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly and did not speak again.

Sophie understood it clearly as well. Madam Sterling was acknowledging Stella’s contributions and binding her to the Sterling family and Longview, while leaving other personal matters open to infinite speculation. Not denying it was a form of tacit admission.

Madam Sterling was aiming to fully exploit the immediate benefits Stella could bring.

Stella understood too, and her smile grew even brighter. She even threw a faintly arrogant glance at Sophie.

From that glance, Sophie tasted the other woman’s arrogant provocation. Her lips parted slightly as she spoke in a calm tone. "Is that so? Are those patents truly yours?"

Sophie’s voice wasn’t loud, but it acted like a needle popping an overinflated balloon, its impact practically deafening.

Stella’s expression shifted slightly. Everyone turned to look at Sophie.

Even Finn Lockwood and the others, who had been smiling not far away, cast their eyes over. Lucas Langley furrowed his brows. What was Sophie trying to pull now?

Julian cast a lukewarm, nonchalant glance her way.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over the crowd, freezing the atmosphere. Many people glared at Sophie with displeasure. Even Madam Sterling frowned; she didn’t want Sophie to pick a fight with Stella at a critical juncture like this.

Peter Preston knew Sophie could maintain her composure. But at this moment, hearing the surrounding crowd’s amazement and compliments regarding Stella’s patent achievements—and seeing how differently they treated Sophie—he stepped forward to shield her. "Everyone, today is a joyous occasion for the Sterling family, but I have no choice but to interrupt."

He stared straight at Julian, the man who had bound Stella to the Sterlings today. "Mr. Sterling, there is something I’d like to discuss. Shall we do it privately, or right here and now?"

Julian appeared entirely unconcerned. "If it’s business, Mr. Preston, please go ahead and speak."

So it was to be discussed face-to-face.

Peter sneered, turning his gaze back to Stella, the center of everyone’s attention today. "Miss Sutton, please explain yourself. Plagiarizing Helios’s database, maliciously squatting on registrations, and then loudly boasting today that they are your patents—claiming the great Faye’s work as your own and stealing someone else’s honor. What do you take Helios for?"

GASP! Sharp intakes of breath echoed throughout the room.

The guests were completely stunned by this turn of events.

Even Madam Sterling’s expression underwent a drastic change.

Sophie knew that Peter, aware she couldn’t expose her true identity, was speaking up on her behalf. She remained silent.

Peter then asked another question. "Was this authorized by Longview? Or was it authorized by the Sterling Group?"

He had just escalated the situation to a much more severe level.