What is written on this?

Why does the first character look so much like "second"?

Second… marriage… man?

Mina Sherwood was stunned.

What kind of name is that!

Who would choose a name like that!

It must be wrong. The signature is a flamboyant, cursive scrawl that looks like calligraphy. It's completely illegible!

She didn't think too much about it. She directly wrote her own name beneath the messy signature and followed Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance inside.

After the three entered, Alexander found a quiet corner and silently observed the surroundings.

Since Evelyn's last encounter with danger, and with Sophia Ashcroft's inexplicable arrest, he hadn't left her side.

He wished he could become an accessory, permanently attached to Evelyn.

He was constantly vigilant about everything around her.

Evelyn and Mina didn't go far either. They each took a glass of champagne, avoided the crowd, and found a quiet spot to stay.

Fiona Valentine and Penelope Valentine entered surrounded by a group of people. Their gazes fell on Mina and Evelyn.

Fiona gritted her teeth. "It's those two. They're riding high because of this collaboration! My eldest brother even told me to tolerate it! Shouldn't the owner of some small company be begging us for cooperation? Why should I have to tolerate it?"

Penelope, though younger, was more composed. She chuckled lightly. "For this project, NanTech Ltd. presented超前 research. No one in the scientific community has managed a breakthrough yet. That's probably why big brother told you not to offend them."

Fiona was taken aback. "They really have some skill? So I just have to swallow this anger?"

Penelope smiled. "If you don't want to tolerate it, there's another way."

"What way?"

Penelope took a sip of red wine. "NanTech Ltd. is too small to hold a real research heavyweight. If we poach the expert to the Ashcroft Group, or to your family's company, wouldn't NanTech Ltd. just become an empty shell?"

Fiona's eyes lit up. "Right! How much salary can NanTech Ltd. offer? I'll double it... no, ten times!"

Fiona asked again, "Do you have the contact information for that research expert?"

Penelope nodded. "Yes, I do."

She took out her phone. "I took a picture of the signed contract."

Fiona was overjoyed. She looked through the photos and found the researcher's name: N.

This was probably a code name.

There was an email address and a phone number listed after it.

Fiona input the number and sent a message: [Hello, I'm from the Ashcroft Group. Tonight is the signing banquet for NanTech Ltd., the Ashcroft Group, and the Sherwood Group. Are you here?]

On a nearby sofa, Evelyn's phone vibrated.

She picked it up and saw the message.

She didn't know who it was, but she replied: [Here]

There wasn't even a punctuation mark. It was extremely brief.

Fiona saw the reply, her eyes shining. She continued texting: [Are you the researcher N from NanTech Ltd.? I'd like to speak with you face-to-face. Is that possible?]

Evelyn replied: [Regarding?]

The research expert was indeed aloof.

Fiona sent another message: [Any thoughts about changing jobs? Someone of your talent is wasted at NanTech Ltd. The Ashcroft Group welcomes you. Compensation is negotiable.]

Evelyn: ?

She looked at the text, momentarily stunned, feeling this couldn't be Marcus Valentine's intention.

She raised an eyebrow and replied: [I'm not interested.]

Fiona grew anxious: [You could be interested now. Come to the Ashcroft Group. We provide the best platform. You can choose any position. NanTech Ltd. will only limit your development. Your research results are worth hundreds of millions. How much salary can NanTech give you? How many shares? She's even afraid of you gaining recognition, using only 'N' instead of your real name on the contract. Do you want to live in obscurity your whole life?]

Evelyn: !!!

She curved her lips into a smile: [I'm willing.]

Fiona: ???

She stared at the text, completely baffled.

She glanced at Evelyn in the distance. The woman was leaning lazily against the wall, looking at her phone. Her bare face was particularly striking under the lights.

Fiona hated that look.

She was just middle-class, yet she dared to act arrogantly in front of her, and even hit her...

But she had to admit, that face was indeed easy on the eyes.

Fiona clenched her jaw and sent another message: [You won't leave because of the boss, Grace Nan, right?]

There was no reply from the other side.

Fiona sent another message: [She's divorced and is keeping a boy toy. She doesn't care about you at all! Are you sure you want to throw yourself at her?]

Evelyn: "..."

She twitched the corner of her mouth, admiring the other person's imagination, and directly replied: [I'm willing.]

Fiona: "..."

This lovesick fool was hopeless!

Was the research expert's brain broken?

Fiona decided to talk face-to-face. She sent a message: [Where are you? Let's meet and talk on the second balcony.]

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. She wanted to know who had the audacity to poach from right under her nose. This was something to take up with the Ashcroft Group for breaking industry rules.

She replied: [Fine.]

After sending the message, Evelyn handed her phone to Mina.

Mina finished reading the chat history and was furious. "Let's go. Let's see together who has the nerve to do this!"

The two walked towards the second balcony.

Before they could enter, a voice came from behind. "I'm using this place. Go somewhere else."

Evelyn and Mina turned around and saw Fiona Valentine standing there, acting bossy.

Evelyn frowned.

Mina sneered. "It's a public area. What do you mean you're using it? We were here first!"

Fiona coldly laughed. "This hotel belongs to the Ashcroft Group. I said I'm using it, so I'm using it! I've arranged to meet someone here. You two, get lost!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "You arranged to meet someone?"

Evelyn Ross felt no guilt about poaching talent.

She lifted her chin defiantly.

“That’s right, I have a meeting. Want to know with whom?”

She crossed her arms, a smug smile curling her lips.

“I’m meeting your top researcher, N.

We just texted.

He’s very interested in joining the Valentine Group.

We’re meeting here to discuss it.”

Fiona Valentine’s plan was cunning.

Whether N showed up or not, her words would plant seeds of doubt in Grace Nan’s mind.

Even if N changed his mind later, Grace would never trust him again.

He’d have no choice but to join the Valentines.

She thought her strategy was brilliant.

Fiona’s smile widened triumphantly.

“Grace, you’ve been so neglectful of N.

Don’t you think that’s cold?

He’s devoted to you.

You finally got divorced, and instead of acknowledging him, you’re dating some college kid.

How is that fair to him?”

She believed she had the upper hand and spoke condescendingly.

“You should cherish talent.

You won’t even reveal his name.

You take all the credit for his work.

Today’s such a major event, and you didn’t give him any spotlight.

You’re so selfish!”

Evelyn Ross exchanged an amused glance with Mina Sherwood.