Carly was convinced Celine was merely putting on a show. "Grandma, Mom, let's go inside and see what Celine is up to," she said.

Sonia scoffed coldly. "Good thing I had the foresight to cut ties with Celine early on. Whatever trouble she stirs up won't involve us."

Adam entered the main venue, his sharp eyes scanning the expansive space. He didn't see Celine anywhere. Despite having followed her quickly, she had vanished. Where had she gone?

He turned to a nearby staff member. "Who is allowed to use the VIP entrance?"

The staff member straightened, answering respectfully, "Mr. Alvarez, the VIP entrance at the Pinnacle of Academic Symposium is reserved for the top scholars from each district."

Top scholars? Then why had Celine been allowed to use the VIP entrance?

"Mr. Alvarez, your seat is this way. Please follow me," the staff member said.

Adam was led to the center of the venue, where the front row was situated—the most prestigious section, reserved for the most significant attendees. When he reached his seat, he noticed the chair next to him was empty.

Adam's gaze lingered on the unoccupied seat before he asked, "Is this seat reserved for my junior?"

"Yes, Mr. Alvarez," the staff member replied promptly.

"She hasn't arrived yet?"

"I'm not sure, Mr. Alvarez," the staff member admitted.

Adam dismissed him with a wave of his hand. Sinking into his seat, he glanced at the sleek steel watch on his wrist. The Pinnacle of Academic Symposium was about to begin, yet his "junior," the one rumored to be untouchable and aloof, was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, Sonia, Carly, Tracy, Melody, and the others were seated in the right section of the venue. Their necks craned as they stared at the empty seat next to Adam, their curiosity palpable.

"The empty seat next to Mr. Alvarez must be for the genius girl, right?" someone whispered eagerly.

"Of course! Today's biggest highlight is the first public appearance of Mr. Alvarez and Miss Genius C together. Everyone's been waiting for this moment."

"Why isn't she here yet?"

"I can't wait to see her!"

As the murmurs grew louder, Carly's face twisted with jealousy. "What a show-off, keeping everyone waiting like this."

Meanwhile, Benjamin, seated directly behind Adam thanks to some well-connected friends, was both nervous and excited. Clutching a bouquet of red roses, he leaned forward to whisper, "Adam, why isn't my goddess here yet? Can you send her a message? Everyone's waiting."

Adam pulled out his phone, opened the WhatsApp group chat, and sent a message tagging C: "You're not here yet?"

A moment later, his phone vibrated with a single reply: "I'm here."

She claimed she was already there. But if that were true, why hadn't anyone seen her?

Still staring at the letter "C" in the group chat, Adam typed another question: "What does 'C' stand for?"

C replied, "It's my name."

Her name? And then, as if out of nowhere, a name surfaced in his thoughts—Celine. Could "C" stand for Celine?

For a moment, Adam froze. Was it possible that the elusive Miss Genius C was Celine?

He dismissed the thought almost immediately. Celine had dropped out of school at sixteen. How could she possibly be the genius everyone revered as Miss Genius C?

Just then, the host stepped onto the brightly lit stage, drawing the audience's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, welcome to the Pinnacle of Academic Symposium. I now officially declare the symposium open."