The shock that initially rippled through Veronica upon seeing Cullen had already dissipated like morning mist under the sun. As the crowd converged around Cullen and his entourage, he remained oblivious to her presence just yards away. The sea of people between them might as well have been an ocean.

Veronica stood there, exuding an air of tranquility that could easily fool a casual observer. But Dario knew better. Beneath that serene exterior was a woman of unwavering determination, someone who wasn't afraid to take calculated risks to pursue what she wanted.

In her professional endeavors, once Veronica became captivated by an idea or project, she would pour her entire being into it, diving headfirst into the depths of creation without concern for commercial viability. For her, innovation wasn't about market analysis or profit margins—it was about possibility. The only way to know if something could work was to build it with her own hands.

This same philosophy had governed her personal life. When she fell in love with Cullen, she hadn't held back, gambling her future on their relationship. She'd forsaken opportunities for advanced education to build a life with him, approaching marriage and family with the same dedication she showed her work.

Though the price she'd paid had been steep—years of her life invested in a relationship that ultimately crumbled—Dario had never detected even a flicker of regret in her eyes. So when she claimed to have moved on, ready to face whatever came next, he believed her without question.

"Want something to drink?" Dario asked with an encouraging smile.

Veronica's lips curved upward. "Sure."

Together, they navigated against the flow of guests, making their way toward the bar area where crystal glasses gleamed under soft lighting.

"How about some wine?" Dario suggested, scanning the selection.

"Okay. Just a little," she agreed. Although Veronica wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, she could hold her own when the occasion called for it.

They clinked glasses in a silent toast and retreated to a quieter spot, savoring their drinks as they observed the room's dynamics from the periphery.

Not long after, a distinguished-looking man approached them. "Dario, you're here too?" his voice carried surprise and warmth.

"Professor Mikael," Dario greeted him with genuine enthusiasm. "I was actually hoping to run into you. Been looking around but couldn't spot you."

Gareth Mikael's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Really? That's a bit hard to believe."

"It's true," Dario insisted. "I came specifically to introduce someone to you."

When Gareth's gaze shifted to Veronica, his expression transformed from casual interest to undeniable intrigue. Her striking features and the quiet confidence she projected made an immediate impression. Still, confusion crossed his face—why would Dario be so intent on this introduction?

If Dario hadn't been known for his straightforward character, Gareth might have suspected ulterior motives.

"You mentioned that language programming project hitting a roadblock recently," Dario said, gesturing toward Veronica. "This is Veronica, my junior colleague. She's nothing short of brilliant when it comes to language programming. I can personally guarantee she'll have insights for your problem."

"Your junior?" Gareth couldn't mask his surprise.

Dario's mentor, Malcolm Blair, was legendary in AI research circles nationwide. His students, though relatively young, had already established themselves as foundational figures in the country's technological landscape. Yet Gareth couldn't recall ever hearing Veronica's name mentioned among this elite group.

A knowing smile played on Dario's lips. "Yes, the Echo programming language? Her team developed it eight years ago."

The mention of Echo changed everything. Few programming languages carried such weight or commanded such respect in the industry.

"Really?" Gareth's skepticism dissolved into fascination.

"Absolutely. Spend five minutes talking shop with her, and you'll see for yourself."

Intrigued now, Gareth posed several technical questions to gauge Veronica's expertise. Her responses were thoughtful and precise, revealing a depth of knowledge that couldn't be faked. As they delved deeper into the specific challenges he was facing with his project, Gareth's excitement grew palpable. What had begun as a polite exchange rapidly evolved into an animated discussion of computational linguistics and algorithm optimization strategies.

Dario stepped back, content to sip his drink and observe the natural flow of their conversation. This was exactly what he'd hoped for—connecting two brilliant minds that could benefit from collaboration.

Just as he was contemplating getting another drink, Dario looked up to see Niall approaching from across the room. The moment their eyes met, she acknowledged him with a polite smile and slight nod.

Dario felt himself freeze, suddenly remembering Niall's position and what it might mean for her to be seeking him out. Before he could properly compose himself or speculate on her purpose, she had already closed the distance between them.

"Mr. Reid," she greeted, her tone carrying a formality that did little to ease his sudden tension.