Chapter 1198: Chapter 1196: The Center of Attention from the First Word

Lynch was also present, qualifying as an "expert" there.

However, his seat was almost unnoticed, located on the very edge, surrounded by people who were similarly overlooked.

Among them, some were also experts, while others were simply there to make a name for themselves.

Behind any event that impacts history, there are various interest groups. Some people benefit directly from these historical events, while others just want to hitch a ride.

Being able to secure an inconspicuous seat is extremely important and valuable for these people’s future.

The atmosphere on site was very lively. Although many people still didn’t fully understand this alliance, everyone at least understood one thing: this alliance would change many things!

After the President asked three consecutive questions, he passed the right to choose on to someone else. Initially, the President was to answer three questions, and other representatives were also to answer some questions.

This was in line with the Federation’s demeanor as a major international power and international core!

When the President gave the opportunity to select a reporter to Gafura’s representative, this Gafura representative directly chose the blonde girl who had been raising her hand but hadn’t been selected.

This ambassador had been in the Federation for a long time and was well aware of the Federation’s style and their love for blonde beauties.

The President avoided picking that blonde reporter three times, implying that there might be some issue with her.

Causing trouble for the Federation was his job. He pointed at the girl, "The lady with the blonde hair..."

Lynch frowned when he saw the girl stand up because he had seen this reporter before, the one who asked inappropriate questions in the last press conference.

Some news through certain channels had reached Lynch, and he knew this girl had lost her job. He just didn’t expect to see her here again.

Truman also frowned and glanced at Gafura’s diplomat, who just smiled as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

This female dog’s offspring!

Truman immediately understood this was intentional, not a random selection.

The female reporter stood up and introduced herself, "I’m Judith..."

The Gafura ambassador nodded slightly, unconcerned with her name. He was just curious about what was going on with this female reporter; it seemed someone disliked her. "Honestly, I don’t care about that. Do you have anything to ask?"

Judith didn’t seem in a hurry and retorted, "Can I ask anything?"

The Gafura ambassador nodded, "Of course, this is a Q&A session. I heard the Federation values the right to express oneself in any situation. That’s your right, madam, you can ask whatever you want."

Judith smiled, "That’s great. Last time, I asked questions I shouldn’t have, and as a result, I lost my job..."

Some reporters immediately realized who this girl was and became excited. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

In the Federation, it’s not uncommon, even common, for reporters to lose their jobs for asking inappropriate questions, interviewing the wrong people, or publishing the wrong stories.

Some people are very sensitive. The surface of some questions may seem harmless, but they can sting certain individuals.

These narrow-minded people hold powers that most do not. They only need a phone call to decide a reporter’s fate.

People didn’t know how Judith managed to blend in, but without a doubt, she might stir up some big news in this international event.

The President still kept his smile, glancing at Truman, who looked at the Security Committee chief beside him.

The Security Committee chief nodded slightly, then turned and left to figure out how this woman got in.

All these matters were for later though, and the conference continued.

The Gafura ambassador suddenly became interested, "You may ask me anything, and I won’t let you lose your job again."

"Thank you for your straightforwardness, but I want to ask Mr. Lynch..." Judith looked at Lynch, who sat on the far side, and Lynch smiled back at her, showing no nervousness.

Actually, the girl chose her time and place well, but she was facing Lynch, someone who only said what he was supposed to after months of interrogation.

This level of pressure was nothing to him.

"It seems there’s some misunderstanding between the lady and me, but that doesn’t matter. What do you want to get from me?" Lynch asked in return.

A friendly attitude, coupled with Lynch having no negative news, made people very forgiving toward him.

As for his private life?

Come on, he’s only twenty-four years old. Compared to those young people who drink and fool around, he’s done very well. That’s not negative news, just gossip.

No harm done!

The friendlier Lynch’s attitude was, the more Judith found it odious.

She mercilessly asked, "I noticed that today’s guests are experts with profound academic achievements and backgrounds. Mr. Lynch, as far as I know, you entered society after graduating high school."

"From what I’ve investigated about you being just nominally enrolled at the Saint Harmony Academy, you haven’t received any actual higher education."

"To put it in a way everyone can understand, how did you sit here today as an economic expert?"

"I don’t believe a high school graduate could be an economic expert, or perhaps there’s some insider story we don’t know behind this."

As soon as Judith finished her words, a multitude of cameras flashed towards one person, Lynch.

Unfortunately, Lynch’s face didn’t show any sign of annoyance, his expression not changing at all.

At the same time, the Security Committee chief responsible for the conference’s security bent over to Truman and whispered what he had learned.

"Judith used a male reporter’s registration card named Judy to get in, and this was a lapse in our work. Should we escort her out?"

Truman glanced at him, clearly displeased. Judith and Judy could indeed be confused, the photo... should have been replaced.

Actually, this kind of thing can’t entirely blame the Security Committee. They checked the list, found nothing wrong, and naturally let her in, but in the end, there was still a problem.

As for escorting her out, if her target wasn’t Lynch, Truman would’ve done so, finding any excuse. Though it might embarrass the Federation a little, it would be much better than her ranting here.

But she picked Lynch to target, Truman wasn’t worried this would become a "diplomatic scandal"; he had that much confidence in Lynch.

"Leave it be; just control the other person. Let’s not embarrass ourselves in front of friends."

After the chief left, Truman told the President what he knew, and surprisingly, the President felt the same.

"If this girl can challenge Lynch a bit, it’s actually quite good..." Very optimistic, also blindly, this is probably the traditional Federation spirit.

The Federation’s relaxed atmosphere has led to an open environment, something other countries lack.

Facing Judith’s tricky question, Lynch didn’t feel troubled at all.

"Firstly, thank you, Ms. Judith, for your concern and for privately investigating so much about my personal privacy. It seems you must have..." He shook his head, "A big prejudice against me."

When he said this, whether on stage, off stage, or in front of televisions, audiences suddenly had a sense of revulsion towards Judith.

Previously, they were curious and sympathetic towards Judith’s predicament, and they somewhat understood her sudden aggression.

But when Lynch spoke those words, their attitude towards Judith changed dramatically.

Because... privacy.

No one likes having their privacy invaded, Federation people care more about privacy than freedom.

They would rather lose some freedoms than be monitored, even fighting for these beliefs.

Now, a reporter using her job’s convenience to probe into others’ privacy won’t earn much sympathy.

Lynch always knew when to say what to achieve the desired effect.

"So where should I start answering?" He thought for a moment, "Let’s start with the education issue."

"As Ms. Judith mentioned, I don’t deny that I entered society after finishing high school, and as she said, I’m just nominally enrolled at the Saint Harmony Academy."

"You know, as long as you donate money, they always welcome us."

Some reporters laughed out loud. Lynch wasn’t from a traditional wealthy family or a political lineage; he was just an ordinary person who achieved his Federation dream through his own efforts.

So when he talked about using money to solve certain problems, people didn’t feel it was contempt, but rather a form of self-mockery.

He smiled slightly, "Every time I go out and meet new friends, this one’s some bachelor from a prestigious university, that one’s a top student from somewhere else. I can’t just say, ’Hey, I haven’t even been to college, so I’m embarrassed to introduce my school; I fear you won’t recognize it, right?’"

People laughed again. They could even imagine at elite social gatherings, facing accomplished elites, everyone’s alma mater being standout universities, and Lynch suddenly mentioning a high school, leaving the room in inexplicable awkwardness.

Why does just thinking about it make people laugh uncontrollably?

Maybe he’s just too amusing!

Lynch laughed as well, "I hope they’d spend half a day with a magnifying glass, bent over a map, only to finally tell me, ’Oh, Mr. Lynch, I found that damned high school, it’s fabulous!’"