Chapter 793

At that moment, Vesta Hawkins was with her family.

As he walked over, he happened to hear Rhoda asking, "Vesta, you spoke with Dr. Lucas, right? How did it go? Any good news?"

Before Vesta could answer, Leah Spencer chimed in with uncontained glee. "Didn't you see Dr. Lucas and his top-tier academic friends praising her just now? There has to be good news, right, Vesta?"

Henley Hawkins and Maureen Spencer remained silent, but they both beamed at Vesta, eagerly awaiting her response.

Vesta was in high spirits and offered a confident smile. "Our conversation with Dr. Lucas was interrupted halfway through, but judging by his tone, it should be a done deal."

Hearing Vesta's answer, Leah practically squealed in excitement. "Oh my god! I knew you could do it!"

Initially, she hadn't grasped the magnitude of becoming Dr. Lucas's protégé, not until someone explained his immense status in the industry. He had already mentored several students who now stood at the forefront of the field as true pioneers, boasting an influence that far surpassed even Stewart Ferguson.

In Leah's mind, if Vesta truly secured her spot as Dr. Lucas's student, it would only be a matter of time before she outshone Stewart, making infinitely more money and wielding greater power. How could she not be thrilled?

She wasn't the only one; Rhoda, Maureen, and Henley shared the exact same sentiment.

Maureen let out a soft laugh, taking Vesta's hand and patting it affectionately. "I heard Dr. Lucas is incredibly strict and demanding with his protégés. You need to work hard and make sure you don't disappoint him."

Vesta smiled. "I know."

She was going to seize this opportunity with everything she had.

More than anyone else in the world, she craved this chance to prove herself.

With that thought in mind, her gaze drifted toward Charlene Ross, who was standing a short distance away.

Charlene might have made a name for herself first, but the future was a different story.

Following hertine of sight, Leah spotted Charlene and scoffed. "Let her enjoy the spotlight for now. Once you officially become Dr. Lucas's student and produce your own groundbreaking , you can'

wipe that smug look right off her face. Let's see how arrogant she acts then!"

Rhoda exhaled a long breath and chimed in with a snort of agreement. "Exactly."

Standing off to the side, Raleigh observed the bright smiles on the faces of Vesta, the Hawkins family, and the Spencers. Watching their blind hope for the future, his expression turned somber as his grip tightened around his wine glass.

A brief moment later, prompted by some unseen shift in the crowd, Vesta and her family members wandered off.

Raleigh followed them, only to realize they were heading straight for Thorne Henderson.

Thorne was surrounded by corporate titans and academic heavyweights. Just as the family approached, Dr. Lucas, having changed his attire and come downstairs, also made his way over to Thorne's circle.

While Dr. Lucas and the influential figures around Thorne were aware of Vesta, they knew very little about her parents.

Out of respect for Thorne, Dr. Lucas and the businessmen offered polite greetings to the family and gracefully exchanged business cards.

Dr. Lucas followed suit. "Ah, Ms. Hawkins's family. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Afterward, Thorne and his companions seamlessly resumed their previous conversation. Henley, Maureen, and the others lingered on the periphery for quite some time before finally stepping away from the elite gathering.

Typically, in circles with such a stark disparity in status, very few would dare to approach heavy hitters like Thorne to strike up a casual chat.

Many people were well aware that Vesta was Thorne's girlfriend, but the vast majority had no idea who Maureen and Henley were.

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A fair number recognized them as Vesta's parents, but the Hawkins family and Thorne's billionaire associates existed in entirely different worlds. Unsure if the upper. echelon had genuinely accepted the Hawkins family, the surrounding guests maintained a cautious, wait-and-see attitude toward Maureen and Henley.

Now, seeing Dr. Lucas and numerous tycoons treating Henley and Maureen with such courtesy, the dynamics shifted. The moment the couple stepped away from the VIP group, a swarm of

tendees both acquaintances and

Strangers flocked over to socialize with them.