Klein’s sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the entire room.

As his voice faded, an eerie silence settled for several seconds.

Sylvie nearly lost her composure, her eyes wide with panic and disbelief as she looked to Elodie, trying desperately to figure out whether Klein was telling the truth.

She instinctively took a step back, all color draining from her face. “That’s impossible…”

And it wasn’t just Sylvie.

Every single person present stared, stunned.

Then, as if someone had struck a match, the room erupted. Gasps and

exclamations came in wave after wave, filling every corner.

Even Naylor, usually unflappable no matter the crisis, gaped in shock, completely thrown off balance.

The others fared no better.

Joseph, who had managed to maintain some composure until now, suddenly blanched, his gaze fixed on Elodie-who stood there, calm and aloof as ever.

He’d always known Elodie was talented, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined her to be this formidable. The realization sent a pang of regret straight through him. If only he hadn’t given up so soon back then…

Grady, who’d just spoken up in Sylvie’s defense, was equally dumbfounded. His face turned ashen, and a suffocating sense of dread left him utterly speechless.

Even Maurice, usually the picture of nonchalance, stood frozen in place. After a long moment, he turned to Jarrod beside him and muttered, “Did I just imagine all that?”

It all felt too surreal.

He almost wondered if he was still dreaming.

Jarrod said nothing, only lifted his chin slightly as he watched the slender figure on stage.

At last, Klein turned to Charlie. “I had no choice but to reveal Elodie’s identity today. If we kept it a secret, she’d be buried under suspicion and slander. Scientists who dedicate themselves to their country’s future deserve better than that!”

He knew all too well:

If this wasn’t made public now, given everything Sylvie had done, Elodie would be the one left under a cloud of doubt.

There had to be irrefutable evidence-words alone wouldn’t be enough.

And everyone knew who Klein was. His presence here spoke volumes.

Pet

Charlie finally stood, his expression stern as he looked at Sylvie. “You asked for fairness, for the truth to come out fine. Elodie is the creator of the U.N2 project. Now that she’s here, do you have anything more to say?”

His tone was icy, each word striking like a blade.

Sylvie’s face was ghostly pale. She’d never imagined things would play out like this. It was supposed to go so differently…

“How could she be…? There must be some mistake.” Sylvie’s voice trembled. Her mind was racing for an escape, but it was chaos inside her head.

Only now did Elodie glance her way, her expression unreadable. “Professor, I have every reason to believe Sylvie stole and plagiarized my U.N2 technical code. I request a thorough investigation.”

The moment Elodie finished speaking, Sylvie felt her knees go weak. A wave of terror crashed over her.

She’d coasted through life for over twenty years without ever facing anything even close to this.

If all this was proven true-

It wouldn’t just be an ordinary dispute. She’d be facing charges that went straight to the highest authorities, the kind that could destroy her career…and her life.

Esmeralda stared in shock, then turned to Alexander.

Alexander offered a reassuring look before speaking quietly. “If this is confirmed, she’s finished. Her life’s over.”

Esmeralda’s jaw dropped, but a rush of satisfaction followed.

Wasn’t this the classic case of digging your own grave?

Charlie’s gaze was icy. “Even if the creator herself hadn’t come forward, this is a serious matter. The authorities will investigate. If the charges hold, Sylvie, you’ll be facing accusations of plagiarism and theft of government secrets, maybe even leaking classified technology. This is not something that will be taken lightly.”

Every word was true.

Some of Elodie’s U.N2 research would be introduced this year at Verdant University, taught by top professors to their graduate students. It wasn’t fully public yet, but even so, Sylvie’s actions today had crossed a line and threatened national interests.