Chapter 168
The three of them walked out of the restaurant.
The night breeze was gentle.
Olivia sniffed the air.
"Brother, have you been drinking?"
"Yes."
"Where's the car?"
"I didn't drive."
"Perfect. I'll take you both."
The car was parked at the mouth of the alley.
The alley was too narrow to enter.
Sophia Sullivan and Alexander Laurent got out.
Moonlight spilled onto the cobblestones.
The faint sound of a cat meowing could be heard.
Alexander's steps faltered slightly.
He had stepped on a bag of trash.
The alcohol hit him, and he swayed.
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry, had a bit too much."
He took half a step back.
Maintaining his distance.
Afraid the smell of alcohol would bother her.
Sophia was taken aback.
She thought of Ethan Roscente.
He often got drunk, but never apologized.
People really are different.
She used to think all men were like Ethan, Charlie Lowell, and Julian Winston.
Indulging in pleasure, playing the field.
Or like David Sullivan, plain and steady.
Until she met Alexander Laurent.
He stood at the top, yet was humble and composed.
True excellence doesn't need to show off.
Restraint is harder than indulgence.
"Even professors need to socialize for work?"
"It's a society of connections. Interactions are unavoidable."
"Alcohol is a medium. Tea, art, poetry, and books work too."
"Even children visiting relatives counts as socializing."
"Change the method to tea or fishing, and it doesn't feel like work socializing?"
"The essence remains the same."
Sophia blinked.
"Does tonight's dinner count as work socializing?"
Alexander chuckled softly.
"Yes, and no."
"Having my teacher and friends here was enjoyable."
"Unfamiliar people pushing drinks was tiresome."
"Half pleasure, half burden."
He turned to look at her.
His gaze was gentle.
"I hope you can experience it this way too."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat.
Before she could ask what he meant, they reached her door.
"Goodnight, Professor."
"See you tomorrow."
She lay in bed.
Remembering the way he spoke.
Powerful. Composed.
Do you need to stand that high to be so calm?
For the first time, she felt a yearning.
That emotion is called admiration for strength.
…
Olivia made a U-turn towards the bar.
As she parked, her car jolted violently.
Bang!
A Maserati had rear-ended her.
Olivia was furious.
She stormed out of the car.
"Are you blind? Don't you know how to drive?"
The car door opened.
Julian Winston stepped out with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Lopez."
"Small matter. Don't be angry."
He inspected the rear end.
It was a mess.
"Was going a bit too fast. Didn't notice."
Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Full responsibility. Fix the car."
"Since when does the Lopez family lack cars?"
"Save your breath."
She tossed him her keys.
Turned to leave.
Suddenly, a woman rushed out.
Slap!
A sharp crack echoed as her palm connected with Julian's face.
Olivia froze.
Julian licked the corner of his mouth.
"I don't hit women."
"Scum! You bastard!"
The woman was both crying and laughing.
She threw herself into his arms.
"Can't we not break up?"
"Not getting married is fine too…"
She wore a professional suit skirt.
Her makeup was impeccable.
But now she was hysterical and disheveled.
Julian remained unmoved.
"Not satisfied with the settlement?"
The woman stiffened.
Her eyes shifted from love to hatred.
"You don't understand love. You only know how to use money."
She wiped her tears.
Took a step back.
"One day, you'll meet someone money can't buy."
"You'll taste the bitterness of unrequited love."
"Tossing and turning, constantly on edge."
"Trampled on, just like I was."
"I curse you—to love but never obtain, to gain and then lose, to regret painfully for the rest of your life!"
"You don't deserve happiness."