Chapter 109
Qian Xuyang remained silent.
He chose to observe.
Lillian Lopez sneered.
"Some people need to know their place."
"A biology major, lecturing on physics data?"
"It's laughable."
Simon Lowell slammed the table.
His eyes lit up.
"Sophia Sullivan is right!"
Lillian's voice caught in her throat.
Zoe Langley and Qian Xuyang froze simultaneously.
Simon pointed excitedly at the screen.
"Not 50 and 71. It's 50.2!"
"That tiny deviation caused all anomalies after the seventh node."
Scientific research tolerates no error.
Qian Xuyang immediately stepped forward.
He recalculated.
With the corrected values, all anomalies vanished.
He exclaimed, "It really was the seventh node!"
Zoe confirmed it too.
Her gaze toward Sophia Sullivan completely changed.
Surprise, shame, and a hint of admiration.
She had chosen silence earlier.
Simon spoke fervently.
"Sophia, we owe you!"
"This data stalled us for three days."
"Without you, who knows how much more time we'd waste."
Sophia's expression remained calm.
As if the earlier doubts never happened.
"Just luck."
"Professor Qian would have found it soon anyway."
She wasn't being modest.
This team was highly capable.
Discovering the issue was only a matter of time.
Zoe's eyes were complex.
She had to admit she'd underestimated this girl.
The lab members possessed inherent pride.
Sophia only had a bachelor's degree, not yet in grad school.
Her major was biology.
They naturally looked down on her.
Plus, her unclear relationship with Professor Alexander Laurent.
It made people reluctant to get close.
Only now did Zoe realize her mistake.
Lillian was the most embarrassed.
Her earlier words were harsh. Now her face stung.
She never expected Sophia to be right.
How could an outsider correct a professional error?
It was absurd!
Sophia looked at Lillian.
Her tone was calm yet sharp.
"Thanks for the lesson, Senior."
"Research requires rigor, but also listening."
"Any correction should be verified before conclusions, not judged by personal feeling."
Each word pierced.
Lillian's cheeks burned.
…
The night was deep.
Sophia dragged her exhausted body home.
She collapsed on the sofa, hugging a pillow, falling into a deep sleep.
Under the same night sky.
Some slept. Some reveled.
Deafening music. Dazzling lights.
Young bodies swayed wildly on the dance floor.
Julian Winston held a glass, his gaze roaming.
Like a hunting black panther.
Charlie Lowell approached with a drink.
"Thought you were playing cards? Scared to lose?"
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Big brother never fears losing."
"Luck's good tonight. Several girls are my type. More fun than cards."
He blew a kiss to a girl in a black halter top.
Charlie shook his head.
"Careful you don't catch something."
"Relax. I know my limits." Julian took a sip.
"Is he still moping in there?"
Charlie sighed.
"You'd feel the pressure too."
Julian gloated.
"It's great! A ready-made kid delivered."
"My mom nags me daily for a grandson."
Charlie glared.
"If Ethan hears that, he might dump the kid on you. And the mother."
Julian's face paled.
"Don't! I wouldn't want that 'blessing' if you paid me!"
He wanted no part of a gold digger's trap.
Fun was fine, but no accidents.
If something happened, his father would break his legs.
Charlie started to say more.
The private room door opened.
Ethan Roscente walked out, carrying his coat.
"Charlie, get someone to drive me home."