On stage, Anastasia's eyes narrowed. Seeing the Unison Pharma team rising to

their feet in anger, she calmly gestured for them to remain seated.

Then, her gaze locked onto the researcher. Her clear, steady voice carried through the microphone.

"First, may I ask which research lab you're from?"

"What's your name? What's your position at the lab? And what was the product you developed?"

The researcher was prepared. "My name is Calvin," he sneered. "I'm from the Waterside Lab in Fairhaven, and my creation is a hair growth serum!"

The moment he said it, Anastasia remembered. Mr. Lynn had shown her several potential products, and that one had been among them.

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't mean that 'Three-Day Follicle Formula,' do you? When I saw that, I wondered what kind of 'genius' came up with it. So it was you!"

Calvin missed the sarcasm in her tone, taking it as a compliment. He puffed out his chest proudly. "That's right! It was the result of a year of my hard work! Even Mr. Evert from the Global Harmony Medical Institute praised it, saying it would be a huge hit if I brought it to the conference myself!"

His voice turned mournful. "But now I wish I'd never created something so brilliant. Then it wouldn't have been stolen by you, Anastasia, just so you could prop up your fake reputation as a genius!"

He hurled his accusation, fully expecting to see Anastasia flustered and guilty. But the poised young woman on stage didn't even blink. Instead, a mocking laugh escaped her lips.

"Something so 'brilliant'? You mean the formula that grows hair for three days, only for it to fall out immediately after, leaving the user permanently bald? Is that the 'brilliant' product you're talking about?"

"Your naming was spot on, I'll give you that. 'Three-Day Follicle Formula.' Because after using it, those three days are the only time you'll ever have hair again!"

"And you claim Mr. Evert from the Global Harmony Medical Institute praised you? Really? Don't tell me Mr. Evert is so incompetent that he couldnt see the catastrophie reaction that occurs when you

combine those specific ingredients."

Anastasia's words were sharp and devastating. She launched a verbal assault not only on Calvin but also on Otto, the Vice President of the institute whom he had name-dropped.

Calvin was left sputtering, unable to

get a word in By the time she

finished, his face was ashen with

rage. "Anastasia, you've gone too far!

You steal my work, and now you

have the

nerve to slander

what

are you trying to do?!"

Anastasia sneered, making no attempt to hide her disdain in front of the entire audience. "What am I trying to do? Isn't it obvious? I wouldn't touch that piece of junk you created!"

"Steal your work? Am I insane? Why would I steal that garbage? If anything, I should be accusing you of trying to defraud Unison Pharma!"

Unable to win the war of words, Calvin's head swam with fury. "You... you...!"

"That's enough!" a voice roared. It was Otto, who had risen from the judges' panel. He pointed a finger at the stage. "Anastasia, I knew you were petty, but I never realized you could be so vicious!"

"Do you have any idea how much effort goes into a single piece of research? Not only did you steal this man's work, but now you're trying to destroy his reputation by slandering his creation. What is your motive?!"

***