Chapter 15

Assistant Moore dropped Sophia Sullivan off at the entrance of her residential complex.

She thanked him softly and stepped out of the car.

Instead of going straight home, she turned towards the nearby grocery store.

Twenty minutes later, she walked towards her building, carrying two full bags of ingredients.

The setting sun cast long shadows.

A tall figure approached, bathed in the evening glow.

Alexander Laurent wore a light grey trench coat, his steps measured.

His gaze behind the gold-rimmed glasses was focused and clear.

"Professor Laurent," Sophia spoke first.

He looked up at the sound of her voice and gave a slight nod. "What a coincidence."

"I just bought some groceries. Would you like to join me for dinner?"

Alexander initially intended to decline, but then he remembered her clear broth noodles.

The memory on his tongue made him nod.

This was Alexander Laurent's first time entering her rented apartment.

Tulips bloomed vibrantly on the balcony. Two red carp swam leisurely in the fish tank.

The white sheer curtains fluttered gently in the evening breeze. The cherrywood dining table gleamed with a warm luster.

The entire space was tidy and cozy.

Graduate entrance exam practice problems were spread across the glass coffee table. He glanced at them.

The multiple-choice questions were almost all correct.

"Would you like something to drink?" Sophia asked.

"Warm water is fine."

She handed him a glass. The water temperature was perfect.

"Thank you."

"Let's have hot pot tonight. I bought fresh beef."

She took vegetables and handmade meatballs out of the bags.

"This question is wrong." Alexander suddenly pointed to the test paper.

Sophia followed his gaze. "This question involves biophysics. I don't quite understand the dynamics part yet."

"The choice of potential directly affects the molecular trajectory," he stated concisely.

Sophia paused, then her eyes lit up. "I see!"

Alexander was slightly surprised. "You understood that?"

"Most of it," she answered honestly. "I saw your research notes in the library."

"Those are old notes from my undergraduate days," he said, clearing his throat lightly. "They contain many errors and omissions."

Sophia couldn't help but smile.

Quite a few, indeed.

"You're very bright. The entrance exam shouldn't be difficult for you."

Her eyes curved into a smile. "Thank you for the kind words, Professor."

...

The lights were just coming on outside the SKP mall.

Ethan Roscente walked ahead, carrying a jewelry bag. Charlie Lowell followed behind.

He carried jewelry worth nearly seven figures casually in his hand, the paper bag swinging.

Charlie watched with trepidation.

The store clearly offered secure delivery, but Ethan insisted on carrying it himself.

Unfortunately, they hadn't run into the person he hoped to see.

"Shall we get dinner first?" Charlie suggested.

Ethan gave a noncommittal grunt.

Charlie chose a well-known Cantonese restaurant.

The private room on the second floor had an open view and an elegant atmosphere.

The server presented the menu. There was a wide variety of Cantonese dishes, especially soups.

Charlie was overwhelmed by the choices.

"I heard this place is very authentic. Anything you feel like having, Ethan?"

"Whatever." Ethan fiddled with his lighter, distracted.

The image of Sophia Sullivan brushing past him indifferently kept replaying in his mind.

She dared to pretend not to know him.

Since she moved out of Olivia's place, why hadn't she come back?

How long was she going to keep this up?

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Charlie ordered purple basil duck, sweet and sour pork, and a seafood dish.

The dishes arrived one after another, filling the air with aroma.

Charlie, starving, dug in enthusiastically.

He looked up to see Ethan picking at his food listlessly, pushing grains of rice around.

"Sophia might still be angry. She'll come around in a while."

Charlie hesitated. "You did break up with her on the spot that day. It was humiliating. Just give her some time to cool off, then smooth things over."

Ethan's face was cold. "Who's thinking about her? Mind your own business."

"...Okay." Charlie inwardly rolled his eyes.

Ethan's phone vibrated suddenly.

He opened the message. A photo popped up.

In the blurry pixels, a woman stood sideways. A man was reaching out as if to touch her face.

He instantly recognized Sophia Sullivan and Daniel Anderson.

Ethan's eyes turned icy.

Charlie's heart sank. "What's wrong?"

The phone was slammed onto the table.

"This is what you call 'coming around'? Her audacity knows no bounds!"

She dared to see Daniel Anderson again.

Charlie glimpsed the photo and immediately felt a headache coming on.

Daniel certainly knew how to seize an opportunity.

"Her taste has certainly deteriorated since leaving me," Ethan sneered. "To think she'd settle for that."

Did she think he cared?

...

Sophia was completely unaware of all this.

Her life was filled with studying, simple and fulfilling.

She traveled daily between her apartment and the library. In her spare time, she cooked for herself, occasionally sharing with neighbors working late.

Though her material life wasn't as lavish as before, the air she breathed was free.

"Sophia, are you studying?" Olivia Lopez called right on time.

"Yes." She moved to a corner and lowered her voice.

"It's Friday. Come out for dinner?"

"But..."

"No buts. Even a workhorse needs a break. You need balance."

"Alright."

They agreed to meet at a Japanese restaurant.