Veronica and Morton engaged in an intellectual dance, exchanging theories and concepts with remarkable fluency. Their dialogue flowed with academic precision, each reference building upon the last in a seamless tapestry of knowledge.

Anyone observing could see the transformation in Morton's demeanor as their conversation progressed. His initial polite interest evolved into genuine enthusiasm, his eyes lighting up with each insightful point Veronica made. The more they delved into complex AI principles, the more animated he became.

At several junctures during their exchange, Morton paused, considering perspectives he hadn't previously entertained. These moments of realization seemed to delight rather than frustrate him.

"I knew my instincts were correct," Morton finally declared, his voice carrying across the elegant gathering. "Murray, you truly surpass me in this field."

His statement sent ripples of surprise through the nearby listeners. Morton Reyna wasn't just any figure in artificial intelligence—he was considered a visionary, a standard-bearer against whom others measured themselves. For someone of his stature to publicly acknowledge superiority in a woman as young as Veronica was unprecedented.

Dario observed from nearby, his lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile. He'd recognized Veronica's brilliance long ago, and witnessing others discover it brought him quiet satisfaction.

Niall stood silently at the periphery, absorbing every word of the technical conversation while maintaining her composed exterior.

Bonnie, however, fidgeted beside them, completely lost in the labyrinth of specialized terminology and abstract concepts. The extended dialogue between Morton and Veronica tested her patience.

"How much longer can they possibly talk about this stuff?" she muttered, taking another sip from her flute.

Niall offered no response, but her increasingly tight grip on her wine glass betrayed her inner turmoil. Her knuckles had turned white with pressure.

Ophelia had made impressive strides in artificial intelligence research recently. Professors like Gareth and Silas had earned recognition within national circles. Yet compared to international luminaries like Reyna and Preston, a significant expertise gap remained.

If Niall had previously dismissed Veronica's knowledge as superficial insights gleaned during her time with Dario at Coleman University's symposium, that misconception was now thoroughly shattered.

Veronica's expertise ran too deep, her understanding too nuanced. To engage with Reyna as an equal—even occasionally gaining the upper hand in their discussion—required years of dedicated study and practical application.

This revelation forced Niall to reconsider everything. Veronica's paper couldn't have been borrowed or stolen—it must genuinely be her original work. The implications stunned Niall: in terms of professional expertise, Veronica had surpassed her long ago.

The timeline made no sense. Veronica had barely completed university before becoming a secretary at Dennis Group. How could she have developed such extraordinary proficiency?

"Niall?" Bonnie's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. "Are you okay? You look pale."

Niall tightened her grip on the wine glass, took a deliberate sip, and remained silent, unwilling to voice the unsettling realizations forming in her mind.

Lester had always recognized Veronica's exceptional qualities, but tonight she had once again exceeded his expectations. As he observed her intellectual sparring with Reyna, a companion leaned toward him.

"I conducted that background check you requested," his friend whispered. "This Ms. Murray isn't Porter-born."

He continued with the findings: "Her parents divorced years ago, and her mother struggles with significant mental health issues. She relocated here with her uncle's family approximately twelve years back."

"Several years ago, her uncle's business suffered a major downturn. Nobody in their social circle offered meaningful assistance. They appear to have minimal connections in Porter."

"Recently, their business has shown signs of recovery, but within Porter's exclusive social hierarchy, they remain practically invisible."

Noticing Lester's sideways glance urging him to reach the conclusion, his friend smiled knowingly. "Regarding her marriage... that's where it gets interesting. The Murray family maintains such a low profile in social circles that despite extensive inquiries, I couldn't uncover anything definitive about her husband."