Hidden identities of the AI Heiress-Chapter 1031: Professor Qiao: You Want to Compete with Me for Someone? Are You Sure?
Pei Ya quietly stepped behind Han Wang, pretending he wasnโt present at the scene.
Han Wang: "..." ๐ป๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ธโฏ๐ท๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ฃโฏ๐.๐ค๐๐ฎ
Werenโt you full of bravado just now?
Qiao Yun decided not to comment on Pei Yaโs futile attempt to cover things up for now. Her gaze swept across the room and finally landed on Herbert.
"You still havenโt answered meโwhy canโt she leave?"
Her voice was as calm as ever, completely devoid of any questioning tone.
Nolan looked at Qiao Yun with a puzzled expression.
The young womanโs demeanor was understated, her face giving the impression of someone youthful, yet the oppressive aura radiating from her seemed almost tangible.
Even the man standing silently behind herโone glance revealed he wasnโt a simple character either.
Who were these two?
Why did they seem somewhat familiar?
Nolan couldnโt recall.
The others present were grappling with the same question.
A while ago, news about Qiao Yun winning awards under the title "Professor Qiao" had drawn significant attention not only in China but internationally as well.
The pieces just hadnโt clicked into place yet for everyone.
Herbert, however, was mentally screaming at his bad luck.
Never having met Professor Qiao before, he hadnโt expected their first encounter to be in such an awkward predicament.
He wasnโt keen on making enemies with someone influential in China.
Feigning nonchalance, Herbert broke into a wide grin and said, "Professor Qiao, I must apologize for letting you witness such an embarrassing scene."
The moment "Professor Qiao" was mentionedโ
Everyone present felt a jolt down their spine.
They remembered.
This young woman wasnโt just anyone; she was Qiao YunโProfessor Qiaoโwhose recent controversy with the Future Alliance had made global waves, culminating in her receiving the prestigious Nobel Prize!
Why was she here!?
The crowd was shocked, bewildered, and struggling to process her presence!
Nolan was more flabbergasted than anyone.
This was merely an engagement partyโhow had it escalated to the point of drawing Professor Qiao here?
Remembering Pei Yaโs earlier address of "boss," Nolan felt as though heโd been struck on the head.
No wonder Pei Ya dared to mock him like that.
No wonder he looked down on him.
It turned out Pei Ya was the current CEO of Shengqiao Group, backed by Tianqi Research Institute, dominating business worldwide.
Though Nolan was an aristocrat from Europe, compared to Shengqiao Group, it seemed he really didnโt measure up...
Nolanโs face instantly grew grim, a mixture of humiliation and resentment as his pride seemed to be ground into the dirt by Pei Ya.
The connection between Xiya and Shengqiao Groupโs CEO genuinely surprised him.
Herbert, for his part, didnโt even care what others thought. Awkwardly, he continued, "There seems to be a misunderstanding in this matter."
Qiao Yun let out a nonchalant "Oh," then pulled out a chair, seated herself calmly, crossed her arms, and spoke in a steady tone, "Go ahead."
Everyone: "..."
This face of yours, saying "Please, commence your performance"โwhatโs with that?
Nolanโs expression darkened further.
Whose turf was this, exactly?
In the middle of the confusion, Li Hanzhou couldnโt hold back a chuckle.
Little one always had a knack for casually infuriating people.
Li Hanzhou, feeling like a lackey just standing behind her, also pulled out a chair and sat down, throwing Herbert a "go ahead" look.
Pei Ya: "..."
Why did this scene feel so much like the Queen Mother and Jade Emperor seated atop their thrones, interrogating the masses?
Wasnโt this dynamic completely flipped?
Herbertโs smile stiffened as he suppressed his irritation and explained, "Earlier, I had asked Xiya if she was willing to marry Nolan, and she personally agreed. Now sheโs backing out against her word. Regardless of the reason, she shouldnโt irresponsibly walk away like this."
Feigning indignation, he sighed.
"Xiya, Iโm very disappointed. If you werenโt on board, you could have just told me directly. Why let him stir up trouble instead?"
The "him" was clearly Pei Ya.
Pei Ya sneered. "What a shameless thing to say."
Nolan pointedly jumped in, "Professor Qiao, is it? Your associate disrupted my engagementโsurely Iโm entitled to an explanation, or am I wrong?"
Han Wang opened his mouth as though to retort, but Qiao Yun raised a hand, signaling him to stay silent.
Her gaze was cold and indifferent as she calmly laid out the facts: "I know Han Wang well. She must have already rejected this arranged marriage. Itโs your coercion that forced her hand, driving her to rebel."
"Youโre her father, yet instead of supporting her, youโre attempting to morally manipulate her. Youโre not a good father."
Herbert flinched slightly, his conscience pricked.
Qiao Yun turned her eyes to Nolan. "My associate does what he wishes. He owes me an explanation, not you."
Nolanโs stunned face: Isnโt this a bit... rogue?
"Furthermore..."
Qiao Yun cast an unflinching gaze over Nolan, her tone matter-of-fact as she said, "Weak limbs, lackluster spirit, pallid complexionโsuch an incapable man, you arenโt worthy of her!"
Her closing statement was sharp and succinct: "I am opposed to this marriage."
After Qiao Yun finished speaking, subtle laughter rippled through the surrounding crowd. What she said wasnโt entirely off the mark.
Nolanโs lifestyle was certainly doomed to bring about his own decline.
If Herbert truly cared for his daughter, he would have severed ties with the scandal-ridden Andrew Family the moment Nolanโs disgrace came to light.
Instead, he blamed Xiya for the fallout.
In Herbertโs eyes, Xiya was probably nothing more than a tool.
Nolan, having received no satisfactory response and endured a thorough verbal thrashing, now faced the likelihood that his reputation for being "weak of constitution" would soon circulate widely.
His expression hardened with suppressed fury but faltered when he met Li Hanzhouโs half-smiling gaze. A sudden pang of alarm made him avert his eyes instinctively.
This man was no pushover.
Herbert, who initially sought goodwill from Professor Qiao, was now visibly irritated by her blunt dismissal. "Professor Qiao, she is my daughter. This is a family matter."
The implication was clear: Itโs none of your businessโwhat authority do you have to object?
Unruffled, Qiao Yun replied evenly, "Iโm her mentor. Sheโs my student. Sheโs one of the core pillars of Tianqi Research Institute."
Qiao Yun lifted her gaze, sharp and commanding: "You want to challenge me for her? You sure about that?"
