Chapter 105

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, spilling onto the metal lab bench.

Lillian Lopez stood to the side with her arms crossed, her gaze cold.

Several colleagues exchanged uneasy glances, the atmosphere growing tense.

Simon Lowell cleared his throat softly and leaned closer to Lillian. "Your data set won't be ready until tomorrow at the earliest. How about joining us for dinner?"

Lillian turned her face away without responding.

Simon added, "Professor Laurent rarely has free time. This is a rare opportunity."

At the mention of Professor Laurent, a flicker of interest passed through Lillian's eyes.

She glanced toward the tall, straight-backed figure by the window.

Alexander Laurent was adjusting his cuff, his profile sharp and severe.

Lillian finally relented. "Fine."

Simon let out a sigh of relief.

…

The bistro was filled with enticing aromas.

Zoe Langley excitedly flipped through the menu. "The Sichuan cuisine here is incredibly authentic!"

Simon warmly urged Sophia Sullivan. "Order anything you like. Professor Laurent is treating us."

Zoe teased with a laugh, "Simon isn't exaggerating this time."

Simon dramatically clutched his chest. "Zoe, give me some credit here!"

Everyone laughed.

Sophia offered a faint smile and picked up the glass of plum juice beside her.

Only Lillian remained silent, her expression cold.

Simon pushed the menu toward her. "They have a non-spicy braised fish. Would you like to try it?"

Lillian frowned. "I can order for myself."

But she took the menu anyway.

Zoe leaned closer to Sophia, lowering her voice. "Simon has been pursuing Lillian for a long time. Have you noticed?"

Sophia gave a slight nod.

"By the way, do you have a boyfriend?" Zoe suddenly asked.

Alexander Laurent, sitting nearby, paused slightly.

"No," Sophia replied succinctly.

Zoe looked surprised but tactfully didn't press further.

Dishes began arriving at the table.

Quincy Evans picked up a piece of scallion oil chicken and praised it enthusiastically. "This flavor is absolutely authentic!"

Simon also tried a bite and said to Lillian, "We can come back when you're not watching your weight."

Lillian shot him a glare. "Who said I'd come with you?"

Zoe turned to Sophia, curious. "How old are you? Twenty-two? Twenty-three?"

Sophia answered calmly, "Twenty-six."

The table suddenly fell silent.

A twenty-six-year-old graduate student?

Lillian raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "How many times did you take the entrance exam?"

Sophia's expression remained unchanged. "Once."

Lillian scoffed. "If it was so simple, why didn't you take it earlier?"

Sophia replied evenly, "I declined the combined Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. program after my undergraduate studies. I regret it now."

Lillian laughed outright. "MIT doesn't offer a combined Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. program except in Medicine."

She looked at Quincy Evans. "Professor Evans, isn't that right?"

Quincy hesitated. "To my knowledge... that is correct."

Lillian looked at Sophia triumphantly.

Sophia remained composed. "Not a combined Master's and Ph.D. program. A combined Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. program."

Lillian sneered. "Piling lie upon lie?"

Zoe Langley suddenly spoke up.

"A combined Bachelor's to Ph.D. program? MIT does offer that for some majors, but the bar is extremely high."

She looked at Sophia Sullivan.