Jack''s statement was highly ambiguous. Julia''s face fell. She hadn''t expected Jack to bring Alice to this


    dinner, let alone act so familiar with her in public. Didn''t he care about her feelings? Everyone assumed they were a couple.


    Alice looked at Jack. Didn''t he know this was misleading? Who was "his person"?


    Jack ignored her, pulling out a chair for Alice before sitting next to her. Alice noticed that was Julia''s seat. Didn''t he see?


    The atmosphere became tense. Rumors circted about Jack protecting a girl; was it the streamer Lemon Sweet?


    Julia was ignored. She said, “Jack, we''re discussing the new Al project. Miss Windham wouldn''t understand; she''d be bored."


    The young man added, “Yeah, what would a streamer know about this?" This was condescending. Julia moved; people immediately made room for her.


    Someone changed the subject."Maple Leaf won the bid, with the best technology and funding. The product will dominate the market."


    “Thanks to Mr. Wilson''s excellent judgment. My family didn''t believe in the project, but we were proven wrong.


    Alice listened to the discussion about the Al project''s potential. Once the productunched, Maple Leaf''s value would double, and her ie too.


    Julia said subtly to Alice, “If you''re bored, you can leave. No one will mind. Alice replied indifferently, “It''s alright."


    The young man said, “So the streamer is interested in the Al project. What are your thoughts?" Alice shook her head. “Nothing yet. It was still early; talking about the future was boasting. The young manughed sarcastically.“Streamer, you can ask if you don''t understand. No need to pretend."


    The atmosphere soured. Julia pretended to drink, her eyes cold. She wanted Alice to see the difference in their social circles.


    Jack''s expression changed. Before he could speak, Alice chuckled.


    The


    young man stared at Alice. The streamer isughing? Is pretending to understand funny?" "It is." Alice looked at him calmly.“You got the name of Maple Leaf''s new system wrong. And the performance specs you mentioned are from the previous version."


    "That''s impossible! A streamer wouldn''t know this. Did you steal information from Mr. Wilson''sputer?" The young man looked at Julia, wanting to save face.


    Julia said, “Jack, you should be more careful. Even if you care about Miss Windham, there are limits. Thepetition is fierce. If Miss Windham leaks information..."


    The young man agreed. “Don''t let a woman affect your work. This isn''t like you, Mr. Wilson.” Jack scanned the room. "You all wanted to meet the Al project''s chief engineer? I brought her." Silence. Julia stared at Alice, incredulous.


    The young man eximed, “Mr. Wilson, you mean this streamer?”


    Jack nodded. "Yes."


    “That''s impossible! Are you joking?""A streamer? She''s good at gaming, but how could she be the chief engineer?"


    Jack tapped the table, his gaze sweeping the room. He said, “Do you think I''d joke about this?"


    Their faces changed. Jack wasn''t the type to joke, but a young female chief engineer was unbelievable.


    The young man asked, “Mr. Wilson, this is unbelievable. She doesn''t look like the chief engineer." Who would believe this? Jack probably promoted her to appease a woman.


    Jack looked at him."You judge by appearances, which is why women swindled you." Everyone teased him. The young man, blushing, retorted, "That''s different. I was tricked. This looks the same; we''re investing with you. If you get scammed, our investments are gone!” Alice looked at Jack; he seemed angry. She knew, apart from her colleagues, no one would believe her. It was normal.


    Jack''s expression was cold. He tapped the table. “Then the cooperation is terminated." Julia said quickly, “Jack, don''t be angry. It''s hard to believe. We''ve been friends for years. Let''s make money together. No need for this."


    Jack looked at Julia."I didn''t invite you."


    Julia''s face fell. “We''re friends. Can''t Ie?"


    Alice was surprised. Was Jack defending her?


    The young man came to Alice with a ss. "Streamer, you''re amazing! You''re good with men and code! I''m impressed."


    at


    Alice looked the ss."At least I don''t pretend to know things I don''t." Julia tried to smooth things over."Miss Windham, it''s a small matter. Give us some face." Alice said coldly, "Why should I give you face? Are we close?"