Chapter 6

At the same time.

Hearst Group headquarters, top-floor executive office.

Ryder placed a manila folder on the desk.

"Mr. Hearst, we've looked into it. Yesterday's conflict between Ms. Sienna Stone and the Stone family at the summit—there's more to the story."

Zane opened the file.

Just a few pages. The information was clear.

Sienna was Andrew's biological daughter, switched at birth nineteen years ago and only brought back to the Stone family a few months ago.

"Three days ago, Ms. Sienna Stone signed a severance agreement with the Stone family. Left with nothing."

Ryder stood before the desk, reporting respectfully.

"The Stone family's public story is that she was disobedient and ran away from home."

Zane tapped his knuckles on the desk.

Biological daughter cast out with nothing.

Adopted daughter flaunting a broken medical algorithm at the summit.

"They want her TS Algorithm." Zane closed the file.

"Yes." Ryder nodded. "The Stone family's cash flow has been tight lately. They're desperate to secure projects from the research institute. After Vanessa's disaster at the summit yesterday, the Stone family paid to scrub the trending topics and blamed outdated venue equipment."

Ryder pulled an invitation from his pocket and handed it over.

"Vienna Hotel. The Stone family's throwing a celebration banquet tonight. For Vanessa's official appointment to the research institute."

"They sent you an invitation as well."

Zane glanced at the invitation and asked a related question.

"Is Sienna going?"

Ryder was prepared. He responded immediately.

"Confirmed. Ms. Sienna Stone accepted Vanessa's invitation."

Zane stood and grabbed his suit jacket from the chair.

"Get the car ready."

Seven p.m.

Vienna Hotel, top-floor ballroom.

Crystal chandeliers glowed. Violin music floated through the hall. Long buffet tables displayed wine and hors d'oeuvres.

Most of Riverton's prominent business figures had shown up.

Andrew held a wine glass, chatting with several medical equipment executives.

Marcus stood beside him in a suit, all smiles.

"Mr. Stone, congratulations. Your daughter's so young and already in the research institute's core team. Bright future ahead."

"Professor Wallace personally approved her appointment. That's a unique honor in Riverton. The Stone family's about to take off. Don't forget to bring us along."

Andrew waved dismissively, grinning ear to ear.

"Young people still need refinement. We'll be counting on all of you for support. Once the institute's projects move forward, we'll all make money together."

Vanessa wore a white evening gown and a full set of diamond jewelry, surrounded by fawning socialites basking in their flattery.

Ding. The elevator doors opened.

Sienna walked into the ballroom, one hand in her hoodie pocket.

Her casual outfit clashed sharply with the elegance around her, drawing stares.

Andrew's face darkened the moment he saw her.

He signaled Marcus to handle it.

Marcus strode over and blocked Sienna's path.

"What are you doing here? Who let you in?"

Sienna lifted her eyes to look at him. "Your precious sister invited me. Didn't you know?"

"Impossible!" Marcus didn't believe it for a second. "You signed the severance papers. Why would Nessa invite you?"

"You saw us throw this banquet for Nessa and got jealous. You're here to ruin it!"

Sienna looked at him like he was an idiot. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Vanessa approaching. Her voice turned cold. "Ask her yourself."

"Marcus, I'm the one who invited Sienna."

Vanessa walked over, lifting her gown, and explained to Marcus.

Then she turned to the surrounding guests with a gracious smile.

"Today's a wonderful day for me, joining the research institute. I wanted Sienna to witness my success and share in this joy with us."

The guests nodded approvingly.

"The Stone family's adopted daughter isn't just smart—she's magnanimous."

"That real daughter's just a country bumpkin. Heard she didn't even finish high school. Totally out of place here. Probably showed up to freeload."

Hearing the murmurs, Marcus finally relented.

"Sienna, Nessa was kind enough to invite you. Don't cause trouble. Stay in the corner and keep quiet."

"Everyone here tonight is someone important in Riverton. You embarrass the Stone family, and I won't let you off."

Sienna smirked. "Who's going to be embarrassed is still up for debate."

She walked past Marcus to a lounge area in the corner and pulled out a chair.

Marcus thought her hopeless and stopped paying attention.

Eight p.m. The banquet officially began.

Andrew stood at the microphone onstage, beaming.

"Thank you all for attending the Stone family's banquet."

"As you know, yesterday at the Tech Summit, my daughter Nessa experienced some equipment issues."

"But Professor Wallace from the research institute still recognizes Nessa's theoretical contributions to AI medical technology."

Enthusiastic applause filled the room.

Andrew raised his voice.

"The Stone family has always been committed to advancing medical technology. Moving forward, Stone Group will partner with the research institute to develop next-generation medical algorithms. The Stone family is about to join the ranks of elite medical powerhouses!"

More applause erupted.

Marcus raised his glass, acknowledging the crowd.

Vanessa walked toward the corner amid the applause.

She stopped at Sienna's table.

Her gentle expression vanished instantly.

A document slammed onto the table.

"Sienna, you see it now. Even if my demonstration wasn't perfect, the institute still wants me."

"I'm the genius everyone recognizes. You're nothing."

Sienna leaned back in her chair, glancing at the document.

[TS Algorithm Unconditional Transfer Agreement]

Vanessa leaned forward, hands on the table, getting close to Sienna.

"Sign it. Hand over the complete algorithm code to me."

"I already talked to Professor Wallace. Once you sign, you can report to the institute's logistics department tomorrow."

"Three thousand dollars a month, room and board included. Better than sleeping on the streets."

Vanessa straightened up and smoothed her hair.

"This is your last chance. Without the Stone family, you're nothing."

Sienna pulled out her phone. The screen lit up.

Eight-ten on the dot.

Vanessa watched her swipe across the screen, her expression changing.

"Stop playing games. You're signing this today."

Sienna suddenly smiled at her.

"You'll find out soon enough whether I'm playing games."

In the ballroom, the orchestra continued playing.

But the atmosphere had shifted.

Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.

"Did you see the trending topic?"

"Is that comparison chart real? The institute's specially recruited genius is a plagiarist?"

"Even the garbled code in the base logic is identical. How could it be fake?"

Andrew, still standing onstage, finally noticed the guests' expressions had changed.

Marcus's phone buzzed frantically in his pocket.

He answered. His face went white.

"Marcus, what's wrong?" Vanessa turned to him.

Marcus stared at his phone screen, his voice shaking.

"Check the trending topics on X."

Vanessa quickly pulled out her phone.

Number one trending.

With a red 'Explosive' tag.

#Research Institute Genius Vanessa Involved in Major Academic Fraud#