Chapter 590 Riddle
Families like the Jensons, the Rowses, the Colons, the Woodwards, even Rain, who was far overseas, countless citizens of Cetherland, and people of every race around the world were watching this livestream.
A conservative estimate put the worldwide audience at 800 million. And the number was still climbing fast. That was a terrifying figure. It showed just how shocking and exciting this breakthrough really was. Cetherland’s success in developing the 4nm chip lithography machine had stunned the entire world. No one dared look down on this nation that was slowly waking up.
Every member of the 4nm lithography project was awarded a medal.
The room filled with thunderous applause again. Russell, Sheldon, and other veteran business leaders were already tearing up. Their clapping was harder and louder than anyone else’s. They knew how hard it had been to bring this lithography machine to life. And before this news exploded online, not a single person or country had known about it. Back then, many Western nations thought Cetherland was hopeless. They mocked it, saying its tech was garbage and it was stupid to challenge advanced countries. They didn’t even think it was worth following.
But now, Cetherland had done it. They had finished what seemed impossible–even something their own citizens hadn’t believed in.
This research team felt like a gift from God to Cetherland. It marked a new beginning. It meant Cetherland could break stereotypes, rise above doubt, and create a miracle no one had expected.
Next came the speech from Dane, the core leader of the team. Everyone waited eagerly. Then the announcer’s voice broke in.
“Professor Kerrigan isn’t feeling well, so he won’t be speaking today. After discussing it with him, and with his recommendation and permission, the speech will be given by his junior. She helped him with the lithography machine research. Please welcome Professor Kerrigan and his junior, Ms. Tilda!”
The hall went silent. Nobody had expected this. It took a moment before the applause started. But Tilda’s name alone shook many people to their core. Russell and Wade almost jumped to their feet. Their eyes went wide. Only a shred of reason kept them from making a scene. The moment her name was spoken, it sent ripples through the room. Dozens of eyes turned toward Russell and Wade. Those looks carried curiosity, mockery, speculation–every kind of emotion. Everyone remembered the lawsuit between Russell and the daughter he’d found again after 19 years–Tilda.
Could this be the same Tilda? The name matched perfectly. Sheldon, sitting beside Russell, spoke in shock. “Mr. Jenson, what’s going on? Is Tilda connected to Professor Kerrigan? She’s giving his speech? Could she be the same person?”
“Uh… Mr. Oliveson, I honestly don’t know.” Russell was just as stunned.
“No, Dad, wait. We’ve seen Professor Kerrigan before! When we went to find Tilda, the man holding her hand… I just remembered! He looked exactly like Professor Kerrigan!” Wade smacked his forehead. No wonder Dane had always seemed familiar. He just couldn’t place him at the time. Back then, Dane and Tilda had walked out of the apartment wearing hats and masks.
But when Wade thought about Dane’s build, and especially those unforgettable eyes, he realized it. The man with Tilda had been Dane.
“That man…”
Russell started to remember, too. His face darkened. All this time… Tilda had someone that powerful by her side? Russell suddenly wondered how much he really knew about his own daughter.
She was a riddle. When she’d lived in the Jenson villa, she’d been weak, invisible, and easy to ignore. But after cutting ties with the Jensons, she became like a different person. She showed sides of herself that even the family had never seen. And now she was tied to Dane, the chief of the lithography machine project. She was also the mysterious anime artist “X,” and the hacker “X.” And now she had connections like this…
Tilda, how many secrets are you still hiding from us?