Chapter 174
Sophia Sullivan pulled out a chair and sat down.
Alexander Laurent glanced up at her. "No need to be so formal."
He picked up his soup bowl and gently tapped it against hers.
The fried chicken wings were golden and crispy, perfectly cooked on the outside and tender inside.
He took a bite. The juices burst forth.
"You can't find this flavor anywhere else."
Sophia's eyes curved into happy crescents. "Should I give them all to you?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Sure."
It was already two o'clock after the meal.
They cleaned up the kitchen together.
Alexander was heading to the lab.
Sophia planned to go to the library.
They walked together for a while.
At the fork in the road, Alexander turned left.
Sophia instinctively followed him for a few steps.
She suddenly stopped.
There was no need to go to the lab anymore.
Alexander chuckled softly.
The tips of Sophia's ears turned pink. She hurried off toward the library.
...
The next day, Sophia went to the lab.
She brought cupcakes she had baked herself.
Zoe Langley opened the box and gasped.
"Sophia, you made these? They're exquisite."
"I can't bear to eat them."
"The Hello Kitty and Jerry ones are so cute!"
Simon Lowell leaned over to look.
He noticed the Stellalou pattern.
"Can I have this one?"
Sophia nodded in agreement.
Zoe smiled knowingly. "For Lillian, right?"
Simon scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
Quincy Evans had already started eating.
"The sweetness is perfect, not cloying at all."
He usually disliked sweets, but he finished the whole cupcake.
Sophia set down the paper box.
"My thesis is finished. I won't be coming to the lab anymore."
Zoe had expected this, just not so soon.
Quincy was a bit reluctant to see her go.
It was rare to find someone to discuss mental math with.
Simon smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"We can still meet for meals later."
Sophia softly agreed.
Lillian Lopez glanced at the cupcakes on the table and pursed her lips.
Finally, she's leaving.
...
That evening, Alexander treated everyone to dinner.
They chose a five-star Michelin restaurant.
It featured a Chinese-inspired courtyard design with a charming small bridge over flowing water.
Sophia wore a lilac-purple maxi dress.
Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, looking fresh and tidy.
She paired it with a pair of slim-heeled sandals.
The cobblestone path at the entrance was a bit slippery.
Her foot slipped, and she started to fall backward.
Alexander quickly steadied her by the waist.
He let go once she was balanced.
"Be careful."
Sophia's ears flushed red. "Thank you."
She lifted the hem of her dress and walked more carefully.
Quincy offered his arm.
"Hold onto me. I promise you won't fall."
Lillian stared at Sophia's waist, her expression darkening.
During the meal, Simon noticed Lillian wasn't eating.
"Upset stomach? These dishes are all quite mild."
He placed a piece of fish on her plate.
Lillian pushed his hand away.
"Leave me alone."
Simon paused. "I was just worried about you..."
The others were used to this and continued their meals.
Alexander gave Simon a cool glance.
Sophia was focused on enjoying the exquisite food.
The five-star Michelin lived up to its reputation.
...
After that, Sophia never went back to the lab.
On a weekend afternoon, she received a call from her father.
"Sweetie, fantastic news!"
Sophia played along. "What's the good news?"
"Our old house is being demolished! The compensation is over a million!"
Sophia feigned surprise. "That much?"
"Good thing we never sold the old place. Remember our neighbor, Auntie Linda Moore?"
Of course Sophia remembered.
Linda Moore had destroyed the wisteria in the yard.
"What about her?"
David Sullivan's tone was gleeful.
"She listened to some agent's smooth talk and sold her house cheap."
"The very next day, the demolition news broke."
Linda Moore was filled with regret.
She dug out the sales contract and suddenly noticed—
The buyer's name was exactly the same as the agent's.
The agent had handled all the paperwork back then.
She never paid attention to the contract details.
The agent had bought her soon-to-be-demolished property at a low price.
Linda Moore was so angry she nearly fainted.