Chapter 119
Sophia typed her reply.
"Okay. Someone infiltrated the monitoring room and implanted the virus into the internal network through the system."
"Who did it?" she asked.
Alexander replied.
"The person was masked. Their face wasn't visible."
"But it was definitely someone from inside MIT."
Sophia pressed her lips together tightly.
"We have to catch them. This time it's a virus."
"Next time, it could be something far more dangerous."
Alexander chuckled softly, holding his phone.
The IT technician beside him looked confused.
What was so funny about that?
This sudden laugh was... unsettling.
Alexander typed his response.
"Okay. I'll do whatever you say."
Sophia smiled.
She put her phone down and headed to the bathroom.
...
A pounding headache from last night's drinking made Ethan gasp.
He sat up and looked out the window.
It was already dark.
He had slept the entire day.
A dull ache pulsed in his stomach.
He reached for the bedside drawer with practiced ease.
He pulled out the bottle of stomach medicine.
He swallowed the pills with a glass of cold water.
The icy liquid slid down his throat.
It sent a shiver through his entire body.
"You shouldn't always rely on medicine. All medicine has some toxicity. Dietary therapy is best... Get up and drink this bowl of longan, red date, and yam soup..."
"Too sweet? Next time I'll use fewer red dates..."
"Can I drink less tonight? I've been nurturing your stomach for so long. One night of drinking ruins all my effort..."
"Ethan, please don't drink so much anymore. I worry about you..."
"If you come home this drunk again, I will be very angry!"
"It's radish and mutton soup today. You have to finish it... Mmm! You always use this trick when I make you drink soup. Silencing me won't work... Mmm!"
"Ethan, I'm angry. Kissing me won't help!"
...
"Stop drinking."
...
"Ethan Roscente, I don't like you when you're drunk."
...
"The congee is in the pot. I'm going to sleep first."
...
Memories of his time with Sophia flooded Ethan's mind.
She had always been against his drinking.
At first, she would get anxious and worried.
She would nag him like a little old lady.
But after the nagging, she would always bring him a steaming bowl of stomach-nourishing soup.
When he was in a good mood, he enjoyed the attention.
He would find ways to make her stop talking.
When he was in a bad mood, he found it irritating.
They would often have huge arguments.
Gradually, she stopped nagging him.
Every time he came home from a business dinner, she would be waiting on the couch.
Then she would hand him a bowl of hot soup or congee.
Ethan thought she had finally become sensible.
He even felt somewhat relieved.
What man doesn't have business dinners?
How can you have a business dinner without drinking?
Are you supposed to drink soda?
If you don't drink, but others do, you're not losing a drinking contest.
You're losing face.
Looking back now, Sophia wasn't being sensible.
She was just disappointed.
She couldn't be bothered to say anything anymore.
He looked at the pile of empty medicine boxes in the drawer.
Ethan couldn't remember the last time he had tasted her soup.
One day, two days...
Three months, half a year...
He missed her.
It made his heart ache.
It drove him insane!
The door opened quietly.
Isabella entered, carrying a tray.
Seeing he was awake, she smiled gently.
"Ethan, you've slept all day. You must be hungry."
"I made some oatmeal porridge and a few light side dishes..."
She walked to the bedside, about to set the tray down.
"Who said you could come in?" Ethan's voice was cold.
The woman froze.
"I... I was worried about you..."
"Get out."
"Ethan..."
"I said get out! Are you deaf?!"
Isabella bit her lip hard.
Her whole body trembled.
There wasn't a trace of tenderness on the man's face.
"From now on, you are not to enter this room without my permission."
"Why?" Isabella looked up, her eyes welling with tears.
"This is the master bedroom. It should be our room. Why can't I come in?"
"Heh, 'our' room?" The man's smile was cruel.
"Do you think you're worthy?"
Isabella swayed, barely able to stand.
Ethan made no move to steady her.
His gaze was mocking, as if watching a play.
"Get out!"
The woman turned away, utterly dejected.
"Wait..."
Hope flickered in Isabella's eyes.
The next moment, Ethan spoke.
"Take your garbage with you."
Isabella picked up the tray.
She left the master bedroom in disgrace.
The housekeeper approached.
"Young Madam, is the young master still not eating?"
Isabella quickly composed herself.
She sighed with concern.
"Yes, he has no appetite. My劝说 were useless."
"Please dispose of this. I'll go keep him company..."
"Of course. You go ahead. I'll handle this."
"Mm." Isabella nodded, satisfied.
She turned and went upstairs, one hand supporting her lower back.
The moment her back was turned, the smile vanished from her face.
She glanced toward the master bedroom.
She swore—
She would live in that room eventually!
That night, Ethan unusually stayed in.
He only asked Martha to bring a meal to his room at nine.
Isabella stayed in the guest room next door.
Hearing Martha come and go, she pressed her lips together.
In his eyes, was she really lower than a servant?
Her phone suddenly rang.
It was her roommate.
Isabella answered—
"Hello, Madison."
"Bella, are you okay?" Madison's voice was full of concern.
Isabella didn't hear concern.
She found it strange.
Who calls and asks if you're okay first?
Were they that close?
"I'm fine. Why?"
"You haven't been to class lately. You don't answer calls. We couldn't reach you at all."
"We thought something happened to you. We were so scared!"
Isabella stroked her still-flat stomach.
Her tone was leisurely.
"What could possibly happen to me?"
Even if something did happen, it would be good news.
Madison continued.
"When are you coming back to class? You've missed several roll calls for specialized courses."
"The teacher has already contacted the counselor. You don't answer your phone either..."
"This can't go on, Bella. Final grades depend on participation points. Too many absences will mean failing..."
Isabella interrupted impatiently.
"I know. But I have important matters lately. I can't attend class."
"Can you cover for me during roll call?"
"How can we do that? The teacher doesn't do verbal roll call anymore."
"They use an app for photo check-ins now. We can't help even if we wanted to."
Isabella frowned.
"Fine, whatever. I gave you such expensive perfume last time."
"You can't even do this small favor for me..."
She hung up directly.
The roommates looked at each other.
What had happened to her?
After hanging up, Isabella thought for a moment.
Then she dialed another number.
The call was answered quickly.
A cold voice spoke.
"What is it?"
"You..." She bit her lip.
"Can you get me that kind of medicine?"