The venue lights snapped to full brightness, restoring the light. Ziye walked to the model of the Queen-type mecha and gave a slight smile. The Queen-type model was a piece she had meticulously crafted, and it was exquisitely detailed.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly heard a sharp shout from outside the door: "Hold it right there!"

Ziye started slightly and looked towards the entrance. She saw four staff members wearing Galactic Federation uniforms walking in through the main door. As soon as they entered, they split and stood on either side. A man with an arrogant expression strode in, head held high.

Their hands were empty, but many recognized him, causing a slight chill in their hearts: "Reinar is here. The Sprout Group really has influence."

Reinar was the Galactic Federation's foremost mecha designer, second only to Tang Wen, with numerous achievements to his name, though he was known for being somewhat proud and unapproachable.

In the past, major corporations had offered him significant sums to attend events, only to be refused every time. No one expected him to show up today for Ziye.

Reinar walked directly to Ziye, ignoring everyone else, and said coldly, "Designer, please postpone your mecha presentation for the moment."

The staff members of the Sprout Group exchanged bewildered glances. None of them had invited Reinar. What was he trying to do? It looked exactly like he was here to sabotage the event!

Black Beard started to move forward, but Ziye placed a hand behind her back and signaled for him not to approach. Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, she restrained her urge to lash out immediately and inclined her head slightly. "Is there an urgent matter?"

Reinar gave a cold sneer, his tone exceedingly haughty, "Secretary-General Bai Lanxue of our Galactic Federation will personally grace us with her presence shortly to offer congratulations. Please wait for her before proceeding with your explanation."

His voice was not loud, but it was just loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly. The guests in the venue were visibly shaken. The Galactic Federation was being exceedingly arrogant!

Ziye smiled faintly, replying calmly, "The press conference held by my Sprout Group today is a commercial event. It violates no laws, and furthermore, it is unrelated to the Galactic Federation and is not subject to its jurisdiction. However, it is an honor for the Sprout Group that Miss Bai Lanxue has found the time to attend. Nevertheless, time waits for no one. When she arrives, I will personally apologize to her."

Her words were reasonable and logical. The guests present were all CEOs, major suppliers, and large purchasers, along with designers who had come solely based on reputation; there were no political figures among them. Therefore, most felt the Galactic Federation’s actions were incomprehensible.

Reinar played stubborn on the spot: "She will be here in five minutes. Please wait."

The more Ziye listened, the angrier she became. Something felt wrong in her gut. People don't visit without a purpose. Reinar held no personal grudge against her—even if he did, he wouldn't be foolish enough to cause a public scene like this. Unless... unless he was waiting for something.

Ziye had a bad premonition. She immediately communicated mentally with Little Sprout, who hung motionlessly on her waist as an ornament. "DouDou, send a message to Black Beard to monitor the surroundings of the venue. Send a message to Big Head to watch the incoming and outgoing personnel. Send a message to Pervert to keep an eye on the villa. We absolutely cannot allow them to pull the rug out from under us now."

Little Sprout this time was compliant and didn't hop. It replied, "Understood!"

After giving her instructions, Ziye bypassed Reinar and addressed the guests: "Please enjoy the robot dance meticulously prepared by our group."

The light panels switched rapidly, and as the music started, the stationary robots on the T-stage all sprang to life, dancing in rhythm with the music. The guests, already irritated by Reinar's disruption, immediately had their attention captured by a performance more beautiful than any human dance, and they began watching with keen interest. Correspondingly, the display screens showed the production workshop for the robots, ensuring the guests had no visual void. For this, she had to thank Pervert. If not for Pervert’s strange hobby, she wouldn't have been able to have the robots perform today.

Just as the robot dance reached its crescendo, the image on the large screen abruptly changed. The screen showed three tall, burly men in security uniforms occupying the positions where the reception hostesses stood. The hostess frowned. "Excuse me, you're blocking my workstation." The man replied arrogantly, "My orders are to observe every single staff member belonging to the Sprout Group within the venue. None shall leave."

These few sentences were not spoken loudly, but when broadcast on the main screen, everyone could see and hear them clearly. Little Sprout communicated to Ziye through their mental link: "They just arrived. I switched the feed here as soon as I saw them."

Ziye looked at Reinar, her voice cold with suppressed anger: "How many of you have arrived? Why don't you all come out so we can see?"

Reinar hadn't expected there to be an "expert" monitoring the venue. He immediately broadcasted what was happening outside the door, hardened his resolve, and shouted, "Everyone, come out."

As soon as his words fell, several people in the audience and VIP seating stood up. There were nearly a thousand people present, and no one knew when these individuals had infiltrated the gathering. Several more people emerged from the main entrance and backstage, all staring toward Reinar. The assembled guests were stunned; this was far too much!

Ziye did not get angry but laughed instead: "Is this the grand reception for Secretary-General Bai Lanxue's personal visit?" This direct manner of disruption was truly characteristic of the Galactic Federation's wealthy, blunt, and forceful style! But on what grounds could he be so aggressive?

Reinar turned to the audience and announced loudly, "I did not wish to play the villain. However, the Sprout Group leaves me no choice but to act as one." He turned back to Ziye, the corner of one lip curving upward in a sinister smile. "Secretary Bai instructed me specifically to ascertain the exact nature of your collusion with Tang Wen—how you managed to pass off the Galactic Federation's latest creation, the Queen-type, as the Sprout Group's signature product?"

Upon hearing this, the guests were deeply stirred, and many let out surprised gasps of "Oh." Before attending the press conference, most had seen the advertisements for the Queen-type and had a general understanding of its capabilities. If they had been wondering how a mere young girl could independently design a mecha just moments ago, they now found the answer in Reinar's words. No wonder Ziye’s name sounded so familiar; it turned out she was the only apprentice Tang Wen had taken since his debut. Many wondered privately if Tang Wen was the ultimate owner behind the Sprout Group? A month prior, the Galactic Federation issued a termination notice, dissolving the employment relationship. Who could doubt that Tang Wen harbored resentment and would leak classified information to his apprentice for production? Humans are often like this: when they see someone more capable than themselves, they assume that person achieved success through improper means. However, they never expected the famous Designer Tang to commit an act that would ruin his own reputation—a lamentable situation.

Ziye did not answer immediately. Her hands rested naturally on the podium, and a thousand pairs of eyes were fixed upon her. The sleeves of her garment hung straight down, showing no movement, not even a twitch of her fingers. The guests, observing her composure at such a critical moment despite her youth, couldn't help but secretly admire her nerve.

Ziye waited until the murmuring subsided slightly, then lifted her face to look directly at Reinar: "Where is the evidence?"

Reinar countered, "You claim to be the designer of the Queen-type. What proof do you have?"

Ziye said coldly, "I know every single detail of the Queen-type."

Reinar nodded. "Good." He brought his hands together and clapped softly once. Moments later, two staff members in Federation uniforms quickly entered through the door carrying briefcases. They approached the stage, nodded slightly, and, wearing white gloves, produced a small chip, handing it to Reinar with both hands. It turned out that his reason for obstructing her explanation in Bai Lanxue’s name was to retrieve evidence?

Reinar held the chip high in one hand, looking triumphantly at Ziye: "The evidence is right here. Do you wish to see it?"

The guests were already leaning psychologically towards Reinar's side. A shill planted in the crowd called out, "If you don't look, how will we know who is right and who is wrong?"

Ziye stood tall, undaunted: "If there is even a shred of slander..."

Reinar interrupted, "Let's see it first."

Ziye watched him intently as he inserted the chip into his datapad and connected the datapad to the large screen in the center of the hall. The evidence was a short video clip, set in the Galactic Federation Research Institute. Tang Wen, Reinar, and two other design assistants were jointly designing and discussing the composition of the Queen-type—armor plating, auxiliary plating, structure... The drafts became richer, the mecha more complete, and finally, a Queen-type was born.

After watching the video, most guests were convinced by Reinar. The Galactic Federation's two top designers versus a young girl. Anyone would assume the work belonged to the two established designers!

Little Sprout messaged Ziye mentally: "Checking villa systems, no intrusion detected; checking venue systems, no intrusion detected; checking your datapad, no intrusion detected..."

Ziye remained composed until the video concluded before speaking: "Even so, this only proves the designs are similar. It's also possible that you copied mine."

Someone in the audience sneered, "You really think you’re a genius."

Ziye shot back, "Someone is already accusing Tang Wen of leaking secrets; it's perfectly normal to accuse him of plagiarism as well, isn't it!"

This calm tone once again swayed the guests toward Reinar. They thought her composure wasn't that of a fearless novice but simply ignorance of the true gravity of the situation! A few people wanted to speak up for her, but their voices were drowned out by the rising clamor.

Reinar waited for the noise to subside slightly and announced loudly, "I understand this assertion might not convince everyone. Next, please view—"

A staff member retrieved a sheet of A4-sized paper from his briefcase and handed it to Reinar. Reinar held it up with both hands before the camera so it could be projected onto the virtual screen.

The moment Ziye saw it, her face instantly drained of color. "As everyone knows, Designer Tang Wen prefers sketching concepts on paper. Look here, this is a manuscript drawing by Designer Tang himself. Do you see the date in the upper section? It’s the year 3031! And his personal signature is in the upper right corner!"