Sophia Shaw said calmly, "The so-called visual inspection of new technology is just a gimmick. No one can actually do it."

"But if you have an in-depth understanding of rocket technology, know the principles behind every data point, read the relevant papers, and are familiar with materials science, you can deduce which new technologies will be used based on the rocket’s intended purpose and cost."

Everyone present, except for a few like Old Master Sloan and Professor Lane, was utterly lost.

Their only thought was, ’This is so complicated!’

For an ordinary person, just studying materials science would be enough to kill them. As for data principles and rocket technology? They wouldn’t even dare to think about it!

Those who had doubted her before were now looking at her as if she were a god.

All the looks of admiration that had been directed at Joanna Sherman now shifted to Sophia Shaw!

Having her thunder stolen by Sophia Shaw for the first time, Joanna Sherman felt as if she had been brutally slapped across the face.

Vincent Grant also gazed intently at Sophia Shaw.

A moment later, however, he chuckled. "Although Miss Shaw and Mr. Sawyer identified all the new technologies in the entire rocket, the rules only stipulated a competition regarding the top module."

"Therefore, we can only call it a tie between the two of you and Joanna."

"Old Master Sloan, what do you say?"

"That’s right!" Professor Lane’s face lit up. "Old Sloan, Miss Sherman and those two are tied. You still have to take her as your apprentice!"

Old Master Sloan hesitated, but he was left with nothing to say.

Even Levin Sawyer couldn’t find a reason to argue; he had to accept the outcome of the bet.

"That’s wonderful, Sis!" Sharon Sherman exclaimed, beaming.

The Sherman Family was finally connected to a major figure. From this day forward, their status would skyrocket!

Justin Hughes was also thrilled. "Joanna, you earned this opportunity entirely through your own talent!"

"Thank you." Joanna Sherman couldn’t hide the excitement on her face either.

She walked up to Old Master Sloan and said, "Master."

"It wasn’t a tie." A gentle but firm voice cut Joanna Sherman off.

Sophia Shaw took her notebook back from Professor Lane and lifted a corner of a page she had covered. "I believe Miss Sherman overlooked the new adhesive agent for the top module."

Professor Lane looked down and was startled to see another line of text written there.

It not only specified the raw materials for the top module’s adhesive but also described the formulation and manufacturing process in perfect detail!

"Miss Sherman, a few days ago you said they used a composite adhesive. You were mistaken."

Sophia Shaw regarded Joanna Sherman with a cool, distant gaze.

Her voice was gentle, yet it was like a knife stabbing Joanna Sherman in the heart.

Shattering her wonderful dream!

Only then did Professor Lane realize the composite adhesive was on a different list.

Strictly speaking, that also counted as a new technology!

"My apologies, Miss Sherman. The winners are Mr. Sawyer and Miss Shaw."

Their analysis of the adhesive alone was enough to show they were leagues ahead of Joanna Sherman. Professor Lane had his pride to consider; he could no longer force Old Master Sloan to accept her.

"Nice one!"

Levin Sawyer said excitedly after Vincent Grant, Joanna Sherman, and their party had left.

If Joanna Sherman had become their master’s apprentice just like that, Levin Sawyer would have been incredibly frustrated.

Sophia Shaw pursed her lips.

’Vincent Grant clearly knew I had left Joanna Sherman in the dust, yet he still used that excuse to make things difficult for Master, forcing him to break his long-standing rules for accepting apprentices.’

’If I hadn’t stopped it, Master would have faced endless trouble in the future.’

She had deliberately held that information back as a defense against Joanna Sherman and Professor Lane; she never expected Vincent Grant would be the one to speak up in the end.

Although her heart no longer ached, she was still extremely disappointed.

The Vincent Grant she used to know was not that kind of person.

He would never sacrifice others for his own benefit.

Old Master Sloan, who usually wore a stern expression around Sophia Shaw, softened his features. "Looks like I didn’t teach you for nothing!"

Levin Sawyer chuckled. "And I wonder who was just saying yesterday that our little junior’s skills had slipped."

Old Master Sloan glared. "I was upset! Can’t I say a few harsh things when I’m not happy?"

"Fine, fine!" Levin Sawyer glanced at his watch. "It’s lunchtime. I know a place with especially authentic roasted squab. Let me take you to try it."

"If there’s good food, of course I’m going!"

Although their master was strict, in private he was a man who lived by his passions. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

He was especially fond of Cathan cuisine.

Watching the two of them bicker, Sophia Shaw felt as if she had gone back in time, to the days when she worked on projects with her master and Levin Sawyer.

"What are you standing there like a statue for? Waiting for a personal invitation?" Old Master Sloan said grumpily when he saw Sophia Shaw hadn’t moved.

"Coming!" Sophia Shaw called out, hurrying happily after them.

Caleb Croft and Young Master Croft hadn’t left, and they watched everything unfold.

Seeing Joanna Sherman lose, Young Master Croft felt a knot of displeasure in his stomach.

Caleb Croft, on the other hand, was in high spirits. He clapped his son on the shoulder. "Son, my judgment is never wrong. True gold will always shine."

Young Master Croft thought of how Joanna Sherman, despite losing, had maintained her poise and grace as she left, her powerful presence undiminished.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Dad, your judgment really is impeccable!"

’Any other girl would have fallen to pieces after a blow like that, crying her eyes out.’

’Besides, it’s not like my goddess actually lost.’

’It was that woman, Shaw, always trying to steal the show, bringing up things outside the scope of the competition just to grandstand!’

The more he thought about it, the more wronged he felt on Joanna Sherman’s behalf.

And the more he hated Sophia Shaw.

’Thank goodness his father was on his side.’

As Levin Sawyer went to the underground parking garage to get his car, he happened to run into Young Master Croft.

"Young Master Croft, I hear you haven’t officially signed the contract with Grant Interstellar yet?"

"Have you considered rethinking it and working with Lead Aerospace instead?"

"No need!" Young Master Croft said coldly. "We’re set on Grant Interstellar. From now on, we’ll only be working with them!"

He didn’t have a problem with Levin Sawyer personally, but he was annoyed that Sawyer had hired an eyesore like Sophia Shaw.

Levin Sawyer gave him a meaningful look. "Suit yourself."

Just as Caleb Croft was walking back, he caught sight of Levin Sawyer’s retreating figure.

Having seen Sophia Shaw with Levin Sawyer earlier, Caleb Croft already knew she was with Lead Aerospace.

He had started to leave but had come back specifically to remind his son of this.

From the looks of it, his son and Levin Sawyer had already had a conversation.

Extremely pleased, he walked over and patted Young Master Croft’s shoulder. "So, Grant Interstellar or Lead Aerospace... you’ve figured it out now, right?"

"I’ve figured it out." Young Master Croft was full of confidence. "Dad, you can rest completely assured."

Caleb Croft nodded. "I’ve dealt with Young Master Sawyer before. He’s young and promising, a very steady and reliable man."

Young Master Croft scoffed internally. ’What a pity.’

’He must be blind, mistaking a fish eye for a pearl.’

"It is a bit of a pity," Caleb Croft sighed in agreement.

It was a pity he didn’t have a daughter, otherwise he could have gone to the Sawyer Family to propose a match and make Levin Sawyer his son-in-law.

"Don’t waste your time on people you shouldn’t be involved with!" Caleb Croft was an excellent judge of character and wasn’t particularly impressed by Joanna Sherman.

"I know!"

Young Master Croft felt that, for once, he and his father were finally on the same page.

"Dad, I’ll finalize the contract as soon as possible."

Before, he had only expressed their intent to sign a contract. Now, he could go all out.

「At the roasted squab restaurant.」

Sophia Shaw ladled some squab soup for Old Master Sloan.

Levin Sawyer placed a large, golden-brown piece of roasted squab into Old Master Sloan’s bowl.

A durian flatbread was also on the table, its uniquely sweet aroma wafting up to them.

The three of them ate while enjoying the view of the lake outside.

Old Master Sloan remarked with a sigh, "Restaurants in Cathan are becoming truly exquisite. You get a feast for the stomach and the eyes."

"Why don’t you stay in Cathan a while longer, Master? My senior and I can take you out for delicious food every day."

Sophia Shaw desperately wished her master would stay and not leave.

But his situation was complicated.

He had been forced to go abroad back then, and in order to continue his rocket research, he had to take on the citizenship of his host country.

With no hope of returning, her master had, with a heavy heart, renounced his Cathan citizenship in order to hold on to his beloved career in rocket science.

Her master would be leaving Cathan again very soon.

The three of them deliberately avoided the topic of nationality, and the conversation quickly shifted back to rocket manufacturing.

Just as they were chatting, Vincent Grant, Joanna Sherman, and their party walked in.