Chapter 5 The G20 Summit Battlefield

On the day of the G20 Summit, I arrived at the venue two hours early.

I checked the simultaneous interpretation equipment three times. Not a single detail could be wrong.

"Ms. Quinn, you're here so early."

I turned to see Bailee standing at the door.

She was wearing a pink suit today, looking especially innocent.

"Part of the job," I said, continuing my equipment checks.

"Ms. Quinn, about our call yesterday, I wanted to explain..."

"No explanation needed." I put on my headset. "Let's focus on the work."

Bailee looked like she wanted to say more, but was interrupted by the staff entering.

"Ms. Quinn, the delegates are starting to arrive."

I nodded and entered the interpretation booth.

Through the one-way glass, I saw Jared already seated at the speakers' table.

He was wearing that dark blue suit I'd ironed so many times, looking confident.

But I knew underneath, his left leg was still bandaged.

The meeting began, and I switched into work mode.

Anglonish, Franlish, Derlish, Niponish, and other languages flipped through my mind like pages.

This was my battlefield.

Here, I was the undisputed champ.

During the lunch break, I stepped out of the booth and bumped into a few foreign delegates.

"Ms. Quinn, your interpreting was simply brilliant!" The representative from Franland gave a big thumbs up. "Especially that bit about the trade agreement, so precise."

"Thank you."

"We all admire that Zeonland has such an outstanding interpreter," the delegate from Derland added, walking over. "Your professionalism significantly improved our efficiency."

Just as I was about to respond, Jared walked up.

"Everyone, this is my wife, Kathy Quinn."

Wife?

I looked at him, my eyes icy.

"Mr. Stanley." The delegate from Franland looked confused. "You said this is your wife?"

"Yep," Jared grinned, looking completely natural. "We've been married for three years."

"Well, isn't that wonderful!" The Derland delegate looked from me to Jared. "With such a brilliant wife, you must be a very happy man."

"Absolutely." Jared reached out to put his hand on my shoulder, but I subtly moved away.

"Excuse me, everyone," I told the foreign delegates. "I need to go get ready for the afternoon session."

I turned and walked off, hearing Jared explaining something to the delegates behind me.

In the hallway, I ran into Robert.

"Ms. Quinn. Tough morning?"

"It was alright."

"Do you need a break room? I can arrange for a quiet space."

"Thank you, no." I looked at him. "Captain Walsh, can I ask you something?"

"Go on."

"If someone uses their position for personal reasons, and that jeopardizes a mission, how should that be handled?"

His gaze sharpened instantly. "If they were on my team? They'd be dismissed. Permanently."

"I see," I nodded. "Understood."

"Ms. Quinn, you..."

"It's nothing." I smiled and said, "Just a random question."

The afternoon session was more intense.

Countries were clashing over trade issues, and the atmosphere was super tense.

In my booth, I caught every single detail.

Suddenly, a reporter stood up.

"I'd like to ask Ms. Quinn a question."

All eyes turned to the interpreting booth.

I pressed the talk button. "Please."

"Ms. Quinn, we are all aware of your exceptional performance during the Mayland crisis. On behalf of all who admire you, may I ask, as a top-tier simultaneous interpreter, what is the professional principle you are most proud of?"