The audience began to murmur amongst themselves.

They even started to question whether it had been reasonable for the Grant Group to make Sophia Shaw apologize back then.

"She can answer such difficult questions so well. How could she possibly be unable to explain the basic issues with the Grant Group’s rocket?"

"Something fishy must have been going on."

Although Jenna Judd couldn’t hear what the audience was saying, she could clearly hear the conversation between the two senior engineers from the National Space Administration on stage.

They, too, greatly admired Sophia Shaw, believing her expertise surpassed their own!

They even took out their notebooks in front of everyone and started jotting down what Sophia Shaw was saying!

Jenna Judd’s mind was in turmoil; she could barely hold on to the microphone.

She knew better than anyone whether something fishy was going on.

Her original plan in letting Sophia Shaw answer more questions was to make a fool of her, but it had completely backfired!

Cough.

A soft cough, just loud enough for her to hear, sounded out.

Jenna Judd looked at Joanna Sherman as if jolted awake, and calmed down upon meeting her gaze.

For the rest of the Q&A, Sophia Shaw was barely called upon again. Most of the questions were directed to Joanna Sherman.

Joanna Sherman spoke eloquently as well.

Her answers were faultless.

But everyone felt that something was missing.

"Excuse me, host."

Someone raised their hand after Joanna Sherman answered her fourth question.

"Why not have the experts take turns discussing each question and sharing their own opinions?"

Sophia Shaw had spoken so brilliantly just now that everyone was eager to hear her perspective again.

No matter how well Joanna Sherman spoke, her answers lacked Sophia Shaw’s depth and breadth, as well as her passion.

The person who raised their hand had voiced everyone’s thoughts, and the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause!

Jenna Judd looked at Joanna Sherman, troubled.

Before Joanna Sherman could say anything, the engineers from the National Space Administration nodded in agreement.

They didn’t want to speak, but they wanted to hear Sophia Shaw speak.

Although Elias Underwood didn’t react, there was nothing wrong with the suggestion, so he naturally wouldn’t object.

In the audience, Levin Sawyer’s lips curled into a slight smile.

He knew it. As long as Sophia Shaw had a chance to speak, she was sure to impress people.

She was born with that kind of charisma.

On stage, Jenna Judd had no choice but to agree.

And so, for the rest of the event, each question was answered by all four experts.

Every time Sophia Shaw finished her answer, the audience would burst into applause.

When it was Joanna Sherman’s and Elias Underwood’s turn, the applause was much more scattered.

Jenna Judd grew very anxious. She started intentionally or unintentionally interrupting Sophia Shaw as she answered, managing to barely even out the applause.

At the end, Jenna Judd shook hands with each of the guests.

When it was Sophia Shaw’s turn, she deliberately said in a loud voice, "It’s clear that Miss Shaw has done some in-depth research on the outline we sent over. Your answers were brilliant."

Sophia Shaw gave her a cool, detached look.

She didn’t expose the lie, but the indifference in her eyes was like a knife, stripping Jenna bare.

Jenna Judd’s face paled with guilt. She had never sent any outline at all.

Sophia Shaw stepped off the stage.

Her calm and composed demeanor clearly told Jenna: ’Someone of your caliber isn’t even worthy of my hatred!’

Jenna Judd felt as if she’d been slapped hard across the face several times, her cheeks burning with pain.

Sophia Shaw was no saint; she naturally wouldn’t let Jenna Judd off the hook for real.

What just happened was merely the appetizer.

But she had to deal with her professor’s matter first.

Sophia Shaw went to find a staff member and requested a copy of the video from today’s Q&A session.

If Joanna Sherman dared to bother her professor again, she would use this video to humiliate her for the next hundred years!

As soon as Joanna Sherman and Elias Underwood got off the stage, they were surrounded by a crowd of people.

Jenna Judd’s comment about "in-depth research on the outline" had its intended effect; not many people came to talk to Sophia Shaw.

When Sophia Shaw returned after getting the video, only one person approached her with questions.

Sophia Shaw didn’t mind. She earnestly answered every question the person asked.

Levin Sawyer had been standing quietly in the distance, holding Bun and waiting for her.

Ms. Archer’s heart ached for Sophia Shaw. "Faye clearly spoke better!"

If the host hadn’t kept interrupting and spouting nonsense, Sophia Shaw would be the one surrounded by people right now.

"Faye is focused on substantive work; she has never cared for superficial fame," Levin Sawyer said, his eyes filled with unwavering admiration for Sophia Shaw.

If she had wanted to be famous, she would have been world-renowned six years ago.

Only after the last question was answered did that person leave.

Jenson Forrest had been watching from a short distance away. He was the only one who had been listening intently to their conversation.

The faint light in his eyes had, at some point, turned deep and complex.

Sophia Shaw didn’t notice him and walked toward Levin Sawyer.

Joanna Sherman walked over as well.

Still smiling, she glanced at Sophia Shaw but spoke to Levin Sawyer. "President Sawyer, you came very well-prepared today. Even though you weren’t the one on stage, I still learned a great deal."

Levin Sawyer wasn’t a fool. He knew Joanna Sherman was insinuating that he had prepared the material for Sophia Shaw, but he couldn’t be bothered to call her out on it.

He gave a faint nod. "I, too, have learned a great deal."

After speaking, he glanced at Jenna Judd.

Jenna Judd guiltily hid behind Joanna Sherman.

"Let’s go," Levin Sawyer gestured to Sophia Shaw.

The group of four departed.

Jenna Judd stared at Sophia Shaw’s retreating back, her eyes filled with unconcealable jealousy.

She never thought that after being kicked out of the Grant Group, Sophia Shaw could still get into Lead Aerospace!

How could she be so lucky!

"Miss Sherman, don’t worry. I was watching just now. Hardly anyone went to talk to Sophia Shaw," Jenna Judd hurriedly reported after Sophia’s group was a good distance away.

Joanna Sherman didn’t speak, but gave a meaningful look.

Jenna Judd knew she was acknowledging the role she played on stage and felt a surge of delight.

On the way back, Joanna Sherman was already a trending topic.

The entire internet was praising her outstanding talent and high level of expertise.

There was very little mention of Levin Sawyer, and what was said painted him as arrogant for sending an unknown subordinate on stage to just go through the motions.

Joanna Sherman’s lips curled in a satisfied smile.

In this contest, the audience had voted with their feet, and they all stood with her!

’Even if I can’t get Old Master Sloan’s approval, at least I beat Levin Sawyer!’

"Joanna, you’re amazing! Vincent, let’s find a place to celebrate for Joanna."

Justin Hughes had come too, and he had watched Joanna Sherman’s entire performance.

For Joanna Sherman’s sake, he had even forgotten the humiliation Vincent Grant had put him through last time.

"What’s there to celebrate?" Joanna Sherman said lightly. "Everyone performed brilliantly today. It was an even match."

"What even match?" Justin Hughes was dismissive of the others. "They all had the outline and did their homework in advance. You’re different. You were busy until late last night and had no time to prepare at all. It was all pure improvisation on your part."

Justin Hughes held particular contempt for Sophia Shaw.

’Was it really necessary to memorize answers before going on stage just to beat Joanna?’

’If you don’t have the skill, you don’t have the skill. Even if she memorized the answers, no one would believe she’s actually competent.’

He didn’t dare say these things out loud.

Vincent Grant had already gotten angry with him once. If they had another falling out, their relationship would be over.

Justin Hughes was a hopeless case; the only reason he had any standing with his own father was because of his friendship with Vincent Grant.

Without Vincent Grant’s protection, his father would probably ship him abroad and never see him again!

Justin Hughes deliberately glanced at Vincent Grant.

Vincent Grant was holding Stella Grant with one arm, while his other hand tapped a rhythm on his knee. It was impossible to know what he was thinking.

But even Justin Hughes wasn’t worried anymore.

Even if Vincent Grant were a complete fool, he would still choose the more outstanding Joanna Sherman.

’Sophia Shaw is just a clumsy imitator. It’s so pathetic to see her trying to copy Joanna by studying rockets.’

On the way back, Sophia Shaw received a call from Leah Evans.

"Faye, get over to my sister’s house, quick! Everything’s gone haywire at home."

Sophia Shaw didn’t understand what was going on. She asked Levin Sawyer to take Bun and Ms. Archer home for her and then rushed to the Shaw Family’s estate.

As soon as she reached the villa’s entrance, she heard the CRACKLE and POP of firecrackers all around.

"What is..." A million questions popped into Sophia Shaw’s mind, and the deafening sound of the firecrackers made her head throb.

When June Evans saw Sophia Shaw, she smacked Leah Evans’s arm a few times. "Didn’t I tell you not to call Faye? Why did you have to call her back?"

June Evans felt bad about calling Sophia Shaw over every time the slightest frustrating thing happened at home.

She was an elder in the family, after all; she couldn’t rely on Sophia Shaw for everything.

Sophia Shaw quickly grabbed June Evans’s arm. "What happy occasion are the Shermans celebrating?"

"What happy occasion? They’re just trying to tick us off!" Leah Evans put her hands on her hips, so angry at the Shermans’ behavior that she felt like smoke was coming out of her ears. "It’s because that Sherman woman was trending online today, right? The Shermans are banging gongs and beating drums, claiming Joanna Sherman is the best."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Shermans came out to set off more firecrackers.

The Shaw Family’s house was surrounded on all four sides by the Sherman Family’s property, and the vibrations were so strong it felt like the pillars would collapse.

Her grandmother covered her ears, her aged face contorted in pain.