The entire venue erupted.
Excited, the host shouted into the microphone, “Looks like Professor Steele’s project has truly captured the spotlight! Not only is the audience in full agreement, but even the Slater Family has stepped in!”
The man in the suit adjusted his glasses and raised a hand to calm the crowd. “Apologies, there’s been a misunderstanding.”
He scanned the room before clarifying, “It’s not Professor Lora’s project. The Slater Family is backing Ms. Loren’s team.”
A hushed silence fell before he dropped the real bombshell.
“Mr. Slater has instructed that as long as it’s Ms. Loren’s research, the Slater Family will fund it—no matter the cost. There is no budget limit.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Industry experts, people who had built their careers on rigorous research and data, looked around in confusion. Everyone could sense something wasn’t right—but when capital speaks, who questions science?
The room buzzed again, but this time, all the flattery, all the attention, swirled around Loren.
“Mr. Slater? He’s been out of the industry for seven years! Why return now—and for Loren’s team?”
“Looks like he’s fallen for her, huh?”
“Genius recognizes genius.”
“Loren’s luck is unreal!”
Loren stood in the glow of it all, radiant under the spotlight. She gave me a deliberate smile—sweet, smug, triumphant.
“Mr. Slater really has good taste,” she said with a self-satisfied tilt of her head. “He knows our project has the most market potential.”
She turned to the assistant. “I wonder when we’ll get to meet Mr. Slater in person? Our team would love to thank him.”
The assistant bowed slightly. “Mr. Slater is currently unavailable. When the time is right, he’ll meet you.”
Then, turning to me with mock sympathy, Loren added with a soft sigh, “Oh, sister… I guess your team won’t be getting any investment. That’s such a shame.”
Her voice dipped into false concern. “After all, who in Las Vegas doesn’t know how powerful the Slater Family is? I mean, business is business, but you’re still my sister…”
I turned to Arthur, desperate for even a flicker of explanation.
But his eyes never left her.
They were filled with warmth, with admiration—the tenderness I’d begged for in silence for years. The tenderness he never once gave me.
The rest of the seminar might as well have been a scripted farce. One by one, investors tripped over themselves to praise Loren, like she was the only light in the room.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
Fury boiling in my chest, I slammed the research report down in front of the assistant. “Is the Slater Family trying to crush every other team here?”
The assistant glanced at Arthur. He gave a tiny nod.
The assistant’s face immediately shifted into practiced indifference. “I’m sorry, Ms. Lora. This investment isn’t about research. It’s a personal gift from Mr. Slater to Ms. Loren. His only hope is that she’s happy. The rest is irrelevant.”
My fingers clenched around our project proposal, my knuckles white, my nails digging into the paper.
I stared at Arthur, silently demanding a reaction.
But he didn’t even glance at me.
His world began and ended with Loren.
Well done, Arthur. Very well done.
After the seminar, Loren was surrounded by a sea of reporters and adoring media. She soaked up every word, every camera flash like a celebrity.
I couldn’t bear the sight. I slipped out of the venue, heart pounding, the ache in my chest threatening to drown me.
I just needed work. Something to numb me. As long as I was busy, maybe I wouldn’t have to feel the sting.
But just as I pulled the car door shut, Loren opened the passenger side and slid in.
“Sister,” she chirped, “are you heading back to the institute? I’ve always wanted to see where you work. Can I come along?”
I reached to push her out, but the passenger door was suddenly held firm—by Arthur.
“Drive,” he said flatly.
So I did.
Loren babbled the whole way back, basking in the afterglow of her big moment.
“Arthur, why do you think Mr. Slater picked our team?” she asked with childlike excitement.
Arthur smiled as though she’d asked something precious. “Because he likes you.”
Loren turned bright pink. “Arthur, stop teasing me!”
“I’m not teasing,” he replied softly. “You’re brilliant. Anyone would fall for you.”
Then, as if it suddenly struck her, she turned slightly and asked, “If we had met first, would you have fallen for me instead?”
Arthur looked startled, about to respond.
But Loren smiled sadly and cut him off. “Just kidding. There’s no ‘if.’ What’s missed is missed.”
“You’re only three years older,” he murmured.
“Three years is still older,” she said, her tone suddenly playful. “Call me sister.”
I couldn’t take any more.
“Are you done flirting?” I snapped coldly. “If you want to keep playing house, get out of the car.”
Loren's eyes shimmered with sudden tears. “I’m sorry, sister. I was just... thinking about the past. Got emotional.”
I glanced into the rearview mirror.
Arthur was looking at her with such heartache, like he was watching something fragile and beloved.
And then he looked at me—only contempt in his eyes.
Even though I had prepared myself for this betrayal, the pain still cut deep.
Because no matter how hard I worked, how much I gave up, or how much I loved… in the end, everyone always chose Loren.
