Chapter 76: The Choice Between Fifty Million and Five Million

A knock on the door revealed an elderly man in his sixties, with blond hair and green eyes, clearly a foreigner. The assistant beside him briefly explained, "This man named Smith is here to see the professor." Sienna Tang nodded in acknowledgment.

"You two clean up the desk and continue working. I have a guest," Sienna instructed Leon Chen and Stella Lin before inviting Smith into the office of the research lab.

"Who would've thought the professor would be dealing with him?" Stella remarked in surprise.

Leon glanced at her. "You know him?"

"Yeah, I met him once with my father at the 'IESD.' If I remember correctly, his name is Smith Williams, a space energy engineer from Stargate Corporation."

"What's IESD?" Leon asked, puzzled.

"The International Energy and Space Development Forum," Stella explained, her eyes gleaming. "It's a conference on survival space and energy regeneration."

Leon still didn't quite get it but decided it was one of those high-level research topics. "Why is he meeting with Professor Tang?"

"No idea. Maybe Stargate Corporation is interested in Professor Tang's 'Heavenly Realm' project. They seem to be conducting similar research," Stella speculated.

"Forget it, let's just help clean up the lab," Leon suggested.

In the office, Sienna sat regally on a single sofa, her cold gaze fixed on Smith, devoid of any previous allure.

Smith, the engineer from Stargate Corporation, appeared quite affable.

"Mr. Smith, what can I do for you?" Sienna asked directly.

"Miss Tang, I'm willing to offer thirty million dollars to buy the 'Primal Stone' from your recent archaeological discovery," Smith said bluntly.

"Hmm?" Sienna raised an eyebrow. The 'Primal Stone' was a unique crystal discovered by a joint expedition team at a desert site. Five pieces were found, and each team took one back for study. Because of its potentially society-altering properties, they had all agreed to keep it secret.

How did Stargate Corporation find out?

"One of the team members approached our company because their lab went bankrupt. Stargate Corporation found the 'Primal Stone' intriguing," Smith explained.

Sienna was wary of dealing with Stargate Corporation, knowing the American company had strong ties to arms and dubious methods. Yet, their technological prowess earned them the nickname "Umbrella."

"We discovered the stones were originally whole but split due to some reason. Comprehensive research requires them all to be together," Smith continued. "I'm here with sincere intentions to discuss this with you, Miss Tang, all for the future of humanity. Stargate Corporation possesses the world's top technology and will surely decode the mysteries left by the Heavenly Realm."

They even knew about the Heavenly Realm. That traitor had really sold them out.

Sienna didn't believe in the "future of humanity" rhetoric but acknowledged Stargate Corporation's strength. "What do the others think?"

"They've already sent their representatives. We expect success," Smith said with a warm smile.

Sienna smelled a conspiracy.

"I'm afraid I'll have to regretfully decline," Sienna said calmly.

"Why?" Smith was taken aback. "Is the price too low? Thirty million dollars, paid immediately! Or perhaps because Miss Tang's stone is the most valuable, the board might consider fifty million dollars."

"It is indeed a tempting offer," Sienna smiled, "but I've already promised to donate it to the country."

"What? Isn't this your personal research?"

"Yes, but at Hua University, research funds are directly allocated by the central government. I have to show them some results, don't I?"

Smith was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "I understand. The patriotism of the Chinese people is admirable."

"My apologies," Sienna said courteously.

Smith shook his head, looking relaxed.

After seeing him off, Sienna immediately made a phone call in French. "Michel, Stargate Corporation is interested in our Primal Stone. Have they approached you?"

A warm male voice answered, "Oh, my beautiful Miss Tang. Stargate Corporation? That disreputable company? How did they find out?"

"Someone betrayed our expedition."

"Dammit. Don't worry, dear Sienna. The Primal Stone is crucial evidence for your theory. I won't sell it to those dirty war profiteers."

"Don't call me dear; we're not that close," Sienna said bluntly. "Anyway, be careful. Stargate Corporation can be ruthless."

Michel fell silent at the mention of past events. "Understood."

"By the way, have you sold your stone to them?"

"No," Sienna replied disdainfully.

"Good. Be careful. They might retaliate."

"I'll handle it."

Ending the call, Sienna contacted her other colleagues from the expedition. These colleagues, passionate about the Heavenly Realm research like her, possessed equally rich knowledge and experience. However, two phones were off, and one colleague admitted to having sold their stone to Stargate Corporation.

This complicated matters, Sienna thought, frowning.

Meanwhile, Leon was searching for the elusive energy using his watch while organizing the lab. It was bizarre; the lost energy was supposed to be nearby but remained undiscovered.

Despite scanning all the instruments, furniture, and decorations, there were no energy readings. He was almost done scanning the entire lab.

"Leon, stop slacking off. Why do you keep looking at your watch?" Stella complained.

"Oh, I'm just checking the time."

"Got a date?" Stella asked weakly.

"Your watch is beautiful. Where did you buy it? I want one," Stella said, noticing the exquisite watch on Leon's wrist. She ran over, curious.

The watch was intricately made, with a precise fit of gears on the wristband, as if carved from a single crystal. The twelve time markers embedded in the crystal reflected a bright yellow halo at the edges, illuminating the transparent crystal beautifully.

"So lovely."

"It was a prize, specially made," Leon explained.

"Sell it to me. I'll pay a high price!" Stella said, enamored with the watch.

"It has sentimental value, priceless," Leon refused without hesitation.

"Stingy."

"What are you two doing? Slacking off while I'm gone?" Sienna walked in, seeing them playing around.

Stella explained about the watch.

Sienna looked at it, also impressed. "The craftsmanship resembles that of crystal skulls. It's beautiful. Whoever made it put a lot of thought into it."

"A lot of thought?" Leon asked.

"Did your girlfriend give it to you?" Sienna teased, pointing at the crystal surface. "There's a galaxy embedded in this crystal. The two brightest stars, Vega and Altair, symbolize something meaningful. Handcrafted, it's quite valuable. You wouldn't notice it at a glance..."

Leon was stunned.

"Really? I don't see it."

"I'm well-versed in astronomy. It's evident at a glance," Sienna said with a teasing smile. "So, Leon, who gave it to you? They must care a lot."

Stella mentioned the prize.

"Very special indeed," Sienna nodded.

It should be special, Leon thought, considering it was from the Heavenly Realm.

"By the way, Professor Tang, what did the Stargate Corporation engineer want?" Leon asked, trying to change the subject and avoid Sienna's sharp gaze on his watch.

"Nothing important," Sienna avoided elaborating. Looking at the nearly cleaned lab, she said, "Now, help me bring out the discoveries from the recent expedition. I believe we'll find something valuable."

"Sure," Stella said excitedly, eager to see Professor Tang's archaeological finds.

Outside H University, Smith walked along the campus paths, smiling at the vibrant environment. To outsiders, he seemed like a kind old man, not a war engineer from Stargate Corporation.

His special communication phone rang, and Smith answered via Bluetooth.

"Did she call to inquire?"

"Yes, she did. Since she rejected fifty million dollars, we'll have to settle this with five million... hahaha..."

Smith smiled at the campus, thinking it was a very peaceful place indeed.