Chapter 165

Sophia's fingertips turned cold.

Stone spoke with a heavy tone. "Your mother has been severely held back all these years."

A tightness gripped Sophia's chest.

Stone expressed his desire to speak with Isabella face-to-face.

Sophia explained softly that her mother was in a neighboring city.

Her contract with Editor Moore hadn't expired yet.

She didn't want to affect her mother's creative mindset prematurely.

Upon hearing "contract," Stone immediately requested an electronic copy.

"I need to study this contract first."

"Keep in touch."

"I'm signing your mother."

Sophia was stunned.

Stone only signed works, not people.

She must have misheard.

David, noticing his daughter's grave expression, set down the spatula.

"Mimi, what's wrong with Mom?"

"Minor issue. It's being handled."

"Please don't tell Mom yet. She gets affected easily."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

The video call ended.

Sophia finished cleaning the kitchen and went downstairs to take out the trash.

The early summer evening breeze was moist and gentle.

She took a solitary walk to aid digestion.

The sky gradually darkened.

Remembering the previous stalking incident, she hurried home.

After her shower, she sat at the desk.

She opened her thesis and began taking notes.

Her phone suddenly chimed.

A message from Sebastian.

[Still busy?]

Sophia replied, asking what he needed.

He responded instantly.

[Can't I just message you?]

Sophia hesitated.

Another message popped up.

[Is a phone call convenient?]

Sophia straightened up.

[Yes.]

The call connected.

Sebastian got straight to the point.

"They caught the creep who was stalking you."

"The evidence is solid. He's facing years in prison."

Sophia was surprised.

"How did you catch him?"

Sebastian chuckled lowly.

"If I want something done."

It gets done.

His tone was arrogant, yet matter-of-fact.

"Even though he's caught, you still need to be careful."

"Try not to go out late at night."

Sophia agreed softly.

"Understood."

She paused, then added.

"Thank you."

Sebastian sounded exasperated.

"Why is it always 'thank you'?"

Sophia mumbled under her breath.

"It's all I know how to say."

"You know how. You just don't want to."

"Then why ask?"

Sebastian laughed in frustration.

She was quite defiant.

Sophia yawned.

"Was there anything else?"

Drowsiness was setting in.

"Yes."

[?]

"About Professor Murphy. It's complicated over the phone. Let's discuss it in person tomorrow."

In person?

Sophia frowned.

"I have to go to the lab tomorrow…"

"I know. You must have a lunch break, right?"

"Is fifteen minutes enough?"

"Fifteen? That short?"

Sebastian shrugged.

"An hour or two would be better. I don't mind more time."

Sophia sighed.

"Fifteen minutes it is."

"See you tomorrow."

The call ended.

Sophia turned off the light and went to sleep.

She slept soundly through the night without any dreams.

She woke up early and made breakfast.

She also prepared lunch to take with her.

She arrived at the lab by seven-thirty.

There was movement in the break room.

Alexander walked out.

Their eyes met.

Both were momentarily stunned.

Alexander recalled his abrupt departure yesterday.

He looked slightly uncomfortable.

Sophia remembered pretending to sleep and the scene she'd accidentally witnessed.

She felt a bit awkward too.

"Morning," he spoke first.

Sophia nodded.

"Morning."

She quickly slipped to her lab station and buried herself in work.

She even forgot to put her lunch in the fridge.

Alexander reminded her gently.

"I'm heading to the break room. I can put it away for you."

Sophia's ears felt warm.

"Thank you, Professor."

Lunchtime arrived.

Sophia walked out of the Maxwell Dworkin Building.

Sebastian leaned casually against a tree.

His shirt collar was slightly open.

His suit pants accentuated his long legs.

He looked both lazy and debonair.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"Just got here."

"What about Professor Murphy?"

The man handed her a file folder.

"Professor Murphy asked me to create a reference answer key for the final exam."

"He's too lazy to grade. He'll have the master's students grade based on it."

The old man wasn't doing any work.

He pushed it all onto him.

The most outrageous part was—

"After I finished the problems, he said he wasn't confident and wants you to check them."

The questions were the ones he'd gotten from Sophia last time.

Benjamin Murphy was utterly unapologetic.

"Is there a problem with her checking them?"

Sebastian initially wanted to argue.

Then he suddenly changed his mind.

"You're right. Sophia is the most suitable person for this."

"You're so busy. I'll take it to her."

Benjamin was puzzled.

"There's an electronic version. Can't you just send it?"

"No."

[?]

"Face-to-face communication is more convenient."

"But… what needs to be communicated?"

Sebastian picked up the materials.

"I'll personally deliver it to her tomorrow."

He left cheerfully.

Benjamin was left full of questions.

The kid was being far too agreeable today.

Something was definitely up.

…

Hearing the explanation, Sophia's mouth twitched.

First, he freeloaded the questions.

Now, he wanted to freeload the answers.

Typical Professor Murphy.

Never missing an opportunity to get something for nothing.

She checked the time.

"Is the reference answer inside?"

"Yes."

"It'll take over ten minutes to review now."

"Okay, let's go to that pavilion. It's shaded."

Sophia was curious.

"Men are afraid of getting sun too?"

Sebastian nodded.

"Afraid."

In reality, they had only been standing for two minutes.

Sophia had looked up at the sky five times and frowned ten times.

Sebastian had noticed all these small mannerisms.

Alexander was returning from the cafeteria.

His steps suddenly halted.

His gaze shifted towards the pavilion across the way.