David Wood, despite being mentally prepared, was still in shock.
In his heart, Ellen Young was just a professor from Hadton.
It wasn't until his own son's trembling phone call that he began to realize the gravity of the situation. "Dad, you have to check the internet, that Laursen Seminar thing..."
He didn't immediately watch the live broadcast; someone else had to inform him. By the time he found out, Daniel Wood felt like the sky was falling.
The second daughter he had looked down on was, in fact, standing at a height they could never reach in their lifetimes.
As soon as David heard, he had an ominous premonition.
He didn't actually know what the Laursen Seminar was, but a simple search revealed the significance of the meeting.
He turned on his computer and saw the latest news pop up.
[Edgar winner makes her first appearance, the 24-year-old super-genius Ellen Young!]
When he saw this message, a dull pain throbbed in his heart.