Chapter 359 All Hidden Influential Figures
No one knew what Catherine meant. The online buzz was growing and even filled with criticism against her. Grayson’s fans attacked Catherine as if they had gone mad, accusing her of being a seductress who used men for her gain.
However, Catherine remained calm. She refused to address the situation herself and discouraged others from getting involved. It all seemed quite mysterious. Ronin was unhappy about this but didn’t dare speak up due to Catherine’s authority.
Scott didn’t quite understand the situation and cautiously asked, ” Shouldn’t we do something about these clowns who are insulting us?”
Catherine replied expressionlessly,” Let them be. They will eventually reveal themselves after some time.”
It was evident that the post was deliberately released, and Catherine had no faith in the claims about behind -the-scenes staff.
No one expected that a simple university competition would attract so much attention. The staff arranged by the sponsors was simply insufficient.
The scene was bustling. The staff were working tirelessly backstage, and there was no spare time for them to take these photos, let alone post them with such a sarcastic tone.
It was easy to deduce that it was probably from another group participating in the same program, most likely motivated by jealousy and fear of her winning the competition. She had no interest in immediately exposing these people.
Instead, she preferred to raise someone high and then watch them fall dramatically. That would be more entertaining. Branden sat silently on the side. After understanding Catherine’s intentions, he slightly nodded to Paxton standing nearby.
Paxton promptly instructed his subordinates to halt all actions. Ronin felt anxious earlier as he thought Catherine wasn’t taking any action. However, now that he realized she had her approach. Thus, he was ready to support her fully.
Nevertheless, Ronin continued to be infuriated by those people. He gritted his teeth and stared at his phone, saying, “Catherine, I’m going to create some online accounts right now. I want to engage in a fierce battle with these little keyboard warriors and show them who the real online warriors are!”
Scott enthusiastically nodded and said, “Take me with you. I also want to curse those brats who insult our chief!”
Catherine was waiting for the situation to escalate further. She paid no attention to Ronin and the others wanting to vent their anger by arguing with internet users.
Rodge anxiously glanced at Catherine as he received a message on his computer indicating another problem with the experiment.
Catherine immediately understood that the current experiment was more important. As for the online issues, she would deal with them when she had the time. Catherine turned her head to look at Branden and said, “I have something to do and need to go out.”
“Do you want me to accompany you?” asked Branden. He didn’t ask what Catherine would do, nor did he get angry that she was leaving midway. He knew that Catherine had other matters to attend to in Oceanvile besides the competition.
“No need,” Catherine shook her head. She turned back to him and said, “If it gets late, you can come and pick me up. A gentle smile appeared on the man’s handsome face as he nodded in agreement. “Alright.”
Triston was shocked to hear him speak in such a tone since he had known Branden for over a decade.
“My goodness, was this the Branden who I knew?
“The one who was cold-blooded and ruthless?” wondered Triston. Rodge and Scott followed Catherine immediately once she left.
Bryan noticed Ronin, who was usually attached to Catherine, showed no particular interest in their departure. He asked, “Who are those two, and why are they following Catherine? Aren’t you going with them?”
Ronin was busy operating his phone and didn’t lift his head as he responded, “Stop being a nosy parker. It’s not your business.”
Ronin knew they were from the laboratory since they called Catherine the “chief.”
He knew it must be related to their work as Catherine was leaving in a hurry and bringing these two people along.
Catherine didn’t like to be disturbed when she was working. Besides, he still had a bunch of keyboard warriors to deal with. Who had the time for that?
“You…” Bryan was infuriated by Ronin and decided not to bother with him.
“If he didn’t want to talk, then so be it. Who cared?” thought Bryan. He didn’t want to stay in this miserable place with Catherine not around. The rest of the group dispersed, with Catherine gone.
Meadow Restaurant on the floor above was the most famous hotel in Oceanvile. Triston and the others’ rooms were also on that floor. Branden went upstairs with them to make it easier for him to pick up Catherine later.
As they walked halfway, Aidan suddenly shouted.
Triston bumped into him and asked, ” What’s up? Are you imitating Scott, shouting for no reason to mess with people?”
Aidan turned and glared at him. “What do you know? I’m just amazed at Catherine’s powerful connections.
Everyone she knows seems to have an even bigger background!”
Triston didn’t understand what Aidan meant and asked, “What are you trying to say?”
Aidan handed Triston his phone, and a news report was on the screen.
The news content was about the announcement of the Physics Gold Ball Award winner, the most prestigious physics award at the world’s most famous academic institution, five years ago. The recipient was a very young man.
Triston was initially about to tease Aidan for making a big deal out of it. However, when he took a closer look at the recipient, he snatched Aidan’s phone and widened his eyes in surprise, “Hey, isn’t this the same guy we just saw, Rodge?”
Aidan rolled his eyes at Triston and replied, “You’re just realizing that!”
Aidan also graduated from the same university and attended the awards ceremony five years ago. However, after five years, people changed, and he couldn’t recognize Rodge.
It was only when he felt a sense of familiarity that he eventually remembered the Physics Gold Ball Award, looked it up, and was surprised to find out it was indeed him!
Triston continued investigating Rodge’s educational background and exclaimed, “I didn’t expect this guy, who seems so quiet, to be so amazing. He’s even hailed as the hope of 21st- century physics.”
What was even more interesting was the way Rodge treated Catherine. He might have been acting under her orders. Aidan agreed and nodded, saying, ” Open another window and check the background of the young kid, Scott!”
Triston followed his instructions and opened another website. After checking, he exclaimed again, ” Unbelievable! Halleywick’s youngest science prodigy, this young kid is incredibly talented!”
In contrast to Triston’s amusement and amazement, Aidan was more concerned about another matter. He looked at Branden seriously and said, “Mr. Duncan, seriously, are you sure you don’t want to investigate Catherine’s background and origins?”
Catherine, who had been considered an ill omen due to her unfortunate birth and was abandoned in the countryside for years, had been brought back to the Swanns.
She inherited a billion-dollar fortune as soon as she returned, and the people around her were all influential figures.
This was highly suspicious, and Aidan was curious about Catherine’s identity.
