Chapter 225
Alexander Laurent gave a light cough.
"Professor Evans wants you to visit the lab when you have time."
Sophia Sullivan looked up. "When did Professor Evans say that?"
"A week ago."
"So you waited until now to tell me?"
Alexander turned and walked away.
Sophia watched his hurried retreating figure and couldn't help but smile.
The sunlight was perfect.
The breeze was gentle.
She decided to do a deep cleaning of her apartment that afternoon.
Her recent coursework had been heavy, and a thin layer of dust had accumulated.
Taking advantage of the clear weather, she would wash what needed washing and air out what needed airing.
Then she would cook herself a lavish dinner.
Just the thought lifted her spirits.
But that good mood vanished completely when she reached the school gate.
Ethan Roscente stood there holding an enormous bouquet.
His tailored suit looked completely out of place on campus.
The blue roses glittered with an expensive sheen under the sun.
Passing students turned to stare.
"It's him again!"
"He switched to blue roses this time. So romantic…"
"If someone pursued me like that, I'd have said yes ages ago."
Sophia frowned deeply.
She had made herself perfectly clear.
She thought he had given up long ago.
Yet here he was again.
So annoying.
She withdrew her foot from stepping outside the gate and turned toward the library.
The deep cleaning could wait for another day.
Right now, she just wanted to avoid that man.
Ethan waited for an hour.
Finally, he smiled bitterly.
The blue roses in his hand seemed to mock his futile efforts.
He walked toward a trash can.
"Such beautiful flowers. Isn't it a waste to throw them away?"
Fiona Valentine stood nearby, smiling.
Her long hair and white dress gave her a gentle, moving appearance.
Ethan looked up coldly.
"What's it to you?"
Fiona's smile stiffened.
She had dressed up specially today.
Most guys would give her a second look.
But this man remained completely indifferent.
It only piqued her interest more.
"Feeling it's a waste has nothing to do with you either."
Ethan scoffed.
He threw the flowers into the trash can right in front of her.
"If you like them, you can fish them out."
He turned and left.
Fiona stared at his retreating back, then at the flowers in the trash, rooted to the spot.
...
The monthly research symposium was held at the end of the month.
Twenty-six research groups took turns presenting their academic progress.
Professor Eleanor Watson was still abroad, so Sophia's group had no advisor present.
They were scheduled right after Professor Victoria Lowell's group.
Caleb Watson stood to report on their group's progress this month.
When he mentioned Ashley Lowell publishing an SCI paper as first author, he paused briefly.
Applause echoed through the conference hall.
Ashley stood up gracefully.
"Thank you to my advisor, Professor Lowell."
Victoria Lowell smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Jude Granger whispered in awe.
"Ashley published an SCI? But she's always out having fun."
He nudged Caleb.
"Caleb, did you submit your paper?"
"I'm not submitting it."
"Why not?"
"There were issues with the data. I have to start over completely."
Jude fell silent.
Shane Holloway spoke up loudly.
"Next group, hurry up! Don't waste time!"
He looked directly at Sophia.
Sophia stood up.
"Last month we applied for lab access, purchased our own dynamometer, finalized our research direction. We are currently progressing as planned."
Shane snorted dismissively.
"That's all? Well, I guess without any results, that's all you can say."
Ashley chuckled lightly.
"Shane, give them some face."
"I'm just stating facts."
Sophia sat back down in silence.
Hannah Morse clenched her fists.
Marcus Lawrence paled.
Suddenly, the Vice President answered his phone.
Five minutes later.
He put down the phone, his gaze intense as he looked toward Sophia.