Chapter 151 If You Can’t Keep a Man’s Heart, Step Aside

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: If You Can’t Keep a Man’s Heart, Step Aside

Philip Preston didn’t show any signs of rejection, which thrilled Stella Sutton. She had originally thought that after the previous incident involving Seth Sutton and Sophie Winslow’s pediatric clinical trial, he would have some objections. She hadn’t expected him to be so accommodating. This further proved that he was objective, fair, and valued true ability.

"Director Preston, I’ll work hard not to let you down," Stella said, brimming with confidence and a sincere smile. Anyone would love her cheerful and generous personality upon seeing her.

Philip adjusted his glasses again. He didn’t say another word. After all, applying for a doctoral program was a matter of personal freedom as long as one met the requirements. He naturally wouldn’t explicitly say he didn’t want her.

Before leaving, Philip subtly glanced at Julian Sterling, who wasn’t trying to steal the spotlight and had directly yielded the stage to Stella. He couldn’t believe that a young man of such dazzling talent and extraordinary ability was a delusional, blind fool. His junior apprentice sister was beautiful and truly outstanding. Yet, ignoring a priceless treasure right in front of him, Julian insisted on digging up filth from the bottom of a pot and treating it like gold!

Julian naturally caught that complex look from Philip before he left.

Finn Lockwood was incredulous. "Director Preston seemed to... have an issue with you? Why did it feel like he just glared at you?" He thought he had seen it wrong. After all, Philip’s stellar reputation was widely known. With his status, he never put on airs or showed anyone a long face.

"Did he?" Julian raised his eyebrows slightly, looking nonchalant.

Finn also felt it was impossible. "I probably saw it wrong." Who among the elders didn’t like someone like Julian? They all wished their daughters could marry him. With the Sterlings of the North and the Hawthornes of the South, Julian Sterling and Adrian Hawthorne were the absolute top choices for marriage for anyone who could reach their level.

"Director Preston is quite nice, and he doesn’t hold grudges about past events." In a good mood, Stella couldn’t help but speak up for Philip. She believed Philip had an excellent eye for talent. He could see her potential, whereas Hector Caldwell was seated too high up to view talent clearly anymore.

Finn chuckled. "That’s because he appreciates you. Who wouldn’t want a protégé capable of upholding their honors? I’m guessing Director Preston has already accepted you and is just waiting for the application." As he spoke, he looked over at Sophie, who had quietly slipped away, showing zero interest in listening to Stella’s glorious topic. He let out a scoff. "She knows she’s lost face, so she scurried away fast enough."

Stella followed his gaze, covering her lips with a light, joyous chuckle. "It doesn’t matter. It’s not like others can join this kind of conversation anyway." With a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, she turned to Julian. "Julian, I need to start preparing my application materials next. Keep me company today while I get them ready."

Julian curled his lips into a faint smile. "Alright."

Peter Preston turned his head just in time to catch this scene. He shrugged. "Quite amusing. Do they really think my dad loves doing charity? He selects only the absolute cream of the crop nationwide every year. Even if Stella manages to beat out everyone else, wouldn’t she still have to call you ’junior apprentice aunt’?"

Sophie picked up an introductory brochure from one of the pharmaceutical companies, reading it as she replied, "She might not actually want to do down-to-earth scientific research. I suspect she’s after my senior brother’s reputation and the Calyx platform."

"It’s likely that you’ll end up being her interviewing professor when the time comes. That would be a spectacular show." Peter was well aware of how things worked, shaking his head with a smile. Those people just now were blatantly showing off. Stella’s smugness was practically overflowing. As for who was actually losing face, that remained to be seen.

Sophie thought about it; it was indeed highly possible. But there was no use dwelling on it now. She went to the restroom halfway through the event. Coincidentally, she ran into Stella again.

Stella was washing her hands, not even bothering to lift her eyes, though she spoke with a beaming smile. "I can give you a piece of advice. I know you hate my guts. When a person is extremely insecure, they tend to act irrationally, which is what pushed you to smear my name in front of Mr. Preston. But I’m going to apply to be Director Preston’s student now. I expect you to watch your words and actions around him. In exchange, when Mr. Preston inevitably comes to my team of experts with the Digital Chinese Medicine database as a gesture of sincerity for a collaboration, I’ll agree to let you stay on your project team. It’s mutually beneficial."

Sophie slowed down her hand-drying. "Are you drunk?" Why the sudden nonsense? She made it sound like Helios would definitely keep begging her to let those foreign experts team up with them. And since when was her database going to be handed over to Stella? Where was this confidence coming from?

Stella simply took Sophie’s reaction as wounded pride and smirked dismissively. "Sophie, if you don’t have the capability to hold onto a man’s heart, you should know better and step aside. But don’t go throwing your entire career away over a momentary emotional outburst." With that, she brushed past Sophie and left. She had indeed been worried that Sophie’s jealousy would drive her to spout nonsense to Philip. She still cared very much about Philip’s opinion of her.

Sophie was speechless. In that moment, she felt the urge to prescribe Stella some psychiatric medication.

After stepping out, Stella spotted Evan York arriving from a distance. The York family was spearheading this summit, making Evan the center of attention. She smiled and raised her hand in a wave. "Mr. York." She knew Evan would come over to talk to her first.

Evan paused his steps. However, without even looking at her, he headed straight in a diagonal direction.

Stella froze, her eyes following his path. To her shock, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Evan walked directly up to Sophie.

This incomprehensible sight instantly wiped the smile off Stella’s face.