Chapter 370 The Remarkable Catherine
Alkaid rose from his seat.
"Galactic Aurora Collective Lab, Alkaid. Most of you know me. I've represented Ms. Windsor at past summits. And now you know — Ms. Windsor is our leader."
The room froze.
The researchers who had been loudly demanding Catherine apologize to Alioth stared at her, wide-eyed. Just moments ago they had been pointing fingers; now they were realizing the person they were accusing was Alioth herself.
"I… you have to understand, Alioth is my idol! I didn't mean anything by it. Could I… maybe get your autograph later?"
Alkaid waved them off. "Ms. Windsor doesn't sign autographs. But today's an exception. Find me after the meeting."
"Yes, yes! This is the greatest day of my life!"
For those who worshiped Alioth, a signature from her was worth more than any academic award. The silence in the room could have lasted a century.
The Windsor family members looked as if their jaws had hit the floor.
Charles was the first to stand, his composure gone, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Catherine… are you telling me you're Alioth of the Galactic Aurora Collective?"
Catherine met his gaze. "Yes, Charles. I am."
Franklin clearly hadn't expected her to confirm it here, of all places.
"You're insane! Everything you've achieved is because of the Galactic Aurora Collective! You're biting the hand that fed you!"
The words only served to confirm her identity.
The founding leader of the Collective and its current leader locked eyes, neither willing to yield.
"You're wrong," Catherine said evenly. "Without the Galactic Aurora Collective, I would have lived a better life.
"If not for that program, my sister and I would have grown up in our own families. My friends would never have been turned into orphans."
Franklin's face flushed with rage. "If it weren't for me, none of them would be where they are today!"
Alkaid let out a bitter laugh. "Then let me thank you. Because of you, my entire family is dead — except me. Genius? What good is that?"
Other members of the Collective stared at Franklin with cold, unblinking eyes.
"Family makes you weak," Franklin spat. "You want to push the mind to its limits? Cut every tie. Burn every bridge. That's how you stand above the rest of humanity. You could have given everything to your country, to the world — and you chose a small, ordinary life instead?"
His voice had taken on the fevered edge of obsession.
Catherine glanced toward the Windsor family. She saw the worry in their eyes, the quiet ache. They had seen the footage of the experiments — the children subjected to them — and they had guessed what Catherine herself must have endured.
Releasing that footage now was like pouring salt into a wound.
They had once thought her worst suffering had been at Oliver's hands. But now they realized her past was far darker than they had imagined.
Catherine gave them a faint smile, a silent reassurance.
Turning to the guests, her voice rang clear, "Everyone here, aren't we all ordinary people?
"I used to believe feelings were a waste. But tell me, Mr. Morales — without them, are we even still human?
"Your plan made 'geniuses,' sure. But it killed something far more important — our humanity. Or maybe it wasn't an accident at all. Maybe it was your greed that made this nightmare.
"I'm Alioth. And for every member of the Galactic Aurora Collective — every so-called 'failure' you cast aside — I'm telling you now: Franklin's program is a disgrace. And it ends here."
She clapped once. Sharp.
The screen behind her changed — borderlands footage.
A row of people sat together in the dirt. Eyes glassy. Smiles that didn't belong to them.
Their names flashed up. Their stories.
Most were gone now — brains shattered, graves marked only by a stone and a number. The rest… breathing, but gone all the same. Minds locked in a child's fog.
Someone in the audience choked back a sob.
They should have been safe. Home. Loved. Some had been born into silk sheets and warm arms. Now? This.
On screen, the ones still aware lifted their middle fingers. Straight at the camera
Catherine continued, "Franklin, see you in hell. The children you killed are waiting for you there. Until you arrive, they will never leave. You want your masterpieces? You can admire them in hell."
The hatred in their eyes was absolute.
Catherine's voice rose, "Most of their families are gone — because Mr. Morales wanted geniuses with no ties. Even after he left the Galactic Aurora Collective Lab, the experiments continued. Now he wants to restart the program. I ask everyone here to do your part to stop him."
She didn't need to say more. The footage alone was enough to chill the blood.
Alexander was the first to stand, taking Catherine's hand in a firm grip. His voice was resolute.
"The Howard Group stands with Catherine. Mr. Morales's actions are inhumane."
The Windsor family members rose with Juniper beside them.
Charles took a deep breath. "If not for Mr. Morales's plan, Catherine would never have been taken from her family. As her family, the Windsor family will hold him accountable."
Alioth's supporters joined in, their voices swelling.
Franklin's hands trembled. For the first time, he felt the crushing weight of the world turning against him. He couldn't understand. His plan was perfect. He had given his life so that the world could be ruled by genius. Where had he gone wrong?
The doors at the back of the hall opened. Arabella stepped inside, wearing a simple dress, her presence commanding.
"Your greatest mistake," she said, "was thinking you were the only person who mattered — and that no one else was human."
"Arabella! You too? Don't forget, the Howard family owes its success to me!"
She gave a sharp, dismissive laugh. "You're nothing."
Then, with poise and precision, she continued, "I came today with evidence — to have a little chat with you.
"Years ago, Paloma learned the core secrets of the Collective after a failed experiment. You forcibly reprogrammed her to forget. She barely survived.
"Vivienne was murdered under your orders. Franklin, debts of blood must be paid in blood."
These were events buried under years of silence. Franklin had nearly forgotten them.
He had never imagined Arabella would dare to speak them aloud.
But as the words left her mouth, Franklin knew: his life's work, his reputation, everything he had built — was finished.
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