After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Nora's lips parted slightly, but she quickly pressed them into a firm line. She gently pulled her hand away, her expression composed.

"Next time," she said coolly.

Alex's face fell. He stared at her for a long moment, his grip on his father's sleeve tightening instead.

But he didn't argue.

"...Okay." His voice was small, but he forced a smile.

Arnold watched the exchange in silence before finally speaking. “Alex, say goodbye to your mother

properly."

Alex turned back to Nora, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Then, with a soft sigh, he said, "Bye, Mommy."

Nora gave him a brief nod, then got into her car. Without another word, she drove off, leaving Alex standing by Arnold's side, watching until the car disappeared from sight.

The International Jewelry Design Exchange had been in full swing for two days, drawing together the world's finest minds in the jewelry industry. With nearly two hundred professional forums, exhibitions, and discussions, the event had become a magnet for top designers, skilled artisans, and luxury brandnoveldrama

executives.

Among the prestigious attendees was STARLINE Studio, one of the invited brands. As a rising force in the industry, STARLINE had garnered increasing attention, and its participation in the event was highly anticipated. The forum scheduled for the afternoon... was named *Innovative Materials and the Future of Jewelry Craftsmanship*

It was particularly relevant to both Nora and Leo, given their shared passion for cutting edge design techniques and sustainable materials.

After leaving the hospital, Nora arrived at the conference venue with Leo and several STARLINE Studio staff members. The grand hall was filled with industry professionals engaged in discussions, admiring rare gemstone displays, and exchanging business cards. The atmosphere buzzed with creative energy.

Nora and Leo took their seats in the front row as STARLINE's representatives, their expressions composed yet focused. For Nora, this event was not just another conference... it was an opportunity to solidify her position in the field, to prove herself among experts who had long dominated the industry.

Just as the forum was about to begin, a subtle shift in the air made Nora glance toward the entrance.

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After I left, Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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Arnold had arrived.

He walked in alongside Linda and Charles, their presence instantly drawing attention.

Linda's gaze flickered toward Nora briefly before she looked away, indifferent. Charles, on the other hand, showed a different reaction. He barely concealed his disapproval, his expression cool and detached.

*What is she doing here? *

To him, Nora's presence was unnecessary, as if she were merely here to spectate rather than contribute.

But Nora paid no mind to Charles' judgment. She had long grown accustomed to such looks.

The forum officially began with Colton taking the stage. An esteemed figure in the jewelry world, Colton commanded respect the moment he spoke. His knowledge of rare gemstones, innovative metal alloys, and intricate setting techniques was unmatched.

He delved into the complexities of combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, offering

insights that left the audience captivated.

When the presentation concluded, the room erupted into applause.

At that moment, Leo leaned slightly toward her and said, "What do you think?"

Nora turned to him, eyes alight with interest. "Brilliant. The way he analyzed the fusion of organic gemstones with high... tech materials... it opens up endless possibilities for design."

Leo nodded. "I agree. Especially the segment about heat... resistant composite metals. That could change the way we work with delicate settings."

Their discussion quickly deepened, moving seamlessly from theoretical concepts to practical applications in STARLINE's upcoming designs.

Their animated conversation didn't go unnoticed.

Slowly, other attendees began gravitating toward them, drawn by their analysis

and insights. Some initially approached out of curiosity, but as they listened, their interest grew.

"I didn't expect such an in... depth discussion outside the official forum," a middle... aged designer murmured to a colleague.

"Who is he?" another attendee asked, gesturing toward Leo.

"That's Leo," someone whispered. "A student of Mr. Colton's."

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A murmur of recognition passed through the crowd.

Leo's association with Colton only heightened the intrigue. More people stepped closer, eager to hear his perspective... and by extension, Nora's.

As the small gathering grew, some began asking questions. A few designers even took notes, intrigued by their fresh take on integrating modern materials with classic designs.

Leo tried his best to answer the flood of questions, his tone calm and measured, but it quickly became

overwhelming. He was only one person, and the sheer volume of inquiries made it difficult to address everyone thoroughly. Realizing this, he glanced at Nora and suggested, "Nora can answer some of these

too. She's just as knowledgeable in this field."

There was no hesitation in his voice, only confidence. He knew her capabilities well.

The crowd, initially drawn by Leo, turned their attention to Nora. Though some had underestimated her

at first, assuming she was merely a listener, they soon discovered otherwise. Nora's explanations were

clear, her knowledge deep, and her insights precise. She answered questions with patience, taking the

time to ensure her responses were well... understood.

"Miss Nora, what's your opinion on integrating composite metals with gemstone inlays? Won't it affect durability?" a young designer asked, his brow furrowed.

Nora nodded slightly before responding, "That depends on the type of composite metal. If we're talking about lightweight alloys, yes, there's a risk of compromising durability. But if the process includes high... pressure sintering with a protective resin layer, it can enhance both durability and aesthetics without sacrificing the integrity of the gemstone setting."

Her response was met with murmurs of agreement.

"She's right,” another industry expert chimed in. "It's all about controlling the material density and

expansion rate."

The discussion gained momentum, and in just ten minutes, more and more people gathered around.

Some took notes, while others listened intently, fascinated by the depth of expertise being displayed.

At that moment, someone in the crowd remarked, "Leo is already well... known in the industry, but

Nora's knowledge is just as impressive. Their expertise makes it feel like we're listening to a masterclass."

Another person added, "I never knew STARLINE had such capable designers."

Linda, who had been observing from a distance, felt her smile stiffen. Her fingers curled slightly around the program booklet in her hand, her nails pressing into the thick paper.

She didn't believe that Nora had achieved this level of knowledge on her own.

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She must have learned everything from Leo, Linda thought. It makes sense... Nora graduated from college at 18. She has the ability to absorb knowledge quickly, but that doesn't mean she's naturally

talented.

Glancing sideways, Linda studied Arnold's expression.

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After Left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret