Chapter 227

Her words silenced the entire hall.

Sophia Sullivan, however, smiled.

She looked directly at Ashley Lowell. "What kind of cheating are you referring to?"

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Such as paying off connections, or hiring a ghostwriter."

Hannah Morse immediately ran to the front row and grabbed a microphone.

She hurried back and handed it to Sophia.

Go get her, Sophia!

It's time for a showdown!

Sophia tested the microphone.

It was loud enough.

"Ashley, you overestimate me. I don't have the money to bribe the editorial board of 'Science', nor the connections to make a senior researcher break the rules for me."

"As for a ghostwriter, I have no idea what could possibly motivate someone capable of writing for 'Science' to be my ghost."

"You seem quite familiar with these underhanded tactics. Perhaps you could teach me?"

Ashley instantly bristled. "What nonsense are you talking about! When did I ever hire a ghostwriter! Do you have any proof!"

Sophia looked puzzled. "I didn't say you hired a ghostwriter. Why are you so quick to defend yourself? Feeling guilty?"

Ashley was immediately speechless.

Her face flushed bright red.

Sophia's lips curved faintly. "You demand evidence from me. Then please present your evidence as well."

Ashley had nothing to say.

She could only sit back down awkwardly.

Sophia's gaze deepened.

Shane Holloway wanted to speak.

But seeing the microphone in Sophia's hand.

He chose to remain silent.

Professor Victoria Lowell suddenly looked towards the leadership on stage.

"President Truman, does this paper have a corresponding author?"

Sophia was the first author.

Who was the corresponding author?

President Truman nodded. "Yes."

Victoria pressed further. "Who?"

Everyone assumed it was Professor Eleanor Watson.

President Truman: "Professor Alexander Laurent."

The hall erupted in murmurs.

So Alexander Laurent was involved.

No wonder Sophia could produce such a high-quality paper.

The corresponding author is the overall project leader.

The first author is the primary executor.

With Alexander involved, everything made sense.

Including the timeline and the level of expertise.

But why was Alexander willing to be the corresponding author?

Considering his relationship with Eleanor Watson.

It seemed perfectly reasonable.

Victoria had just started to relax.

Hearing Alexander's name made her tense up again.

Wasn't this still because of Eleanor's connections?

She felt her face burn with humiliation.

...

The monthly symposium ended.

People gradually left the auditorium.

Shane and his group slipped away quickly.

They hunched over and scurried along the wall.

It was utterly humiliating.

Being publicly shamed in front of the entire faculty and student body.

Hannah's eyes sparkled. "Sophia, you were so cool!"

Marcus Lawrence lifted his chin. "Let's see who dares to look down on our group now."

Hannah giggled. "Next time I see Shane, I'll look down on him with my nostrils!"

Just thinking about it felt satisfying.

Even better than collecting rent.

"Sophia, can we have more of these showdowns?"

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Do you think this is a game?"

"I want to hit you!"

He was such an old man who didn't know how to play along!

...

Amelia Roscente returned home in a daze.

Victoria Roscente was holding a bowl of bird's nest soup.

She almost spilled it.

"Amelia, why are you so distracted? We have a meeting with Luo Jun tomorrow afternoon at The French Laundry."

"He's a top graduate from Stanford, published a ton of SCI papers, just missing 'Nature' and 'Science'..."

Amelia suddenly spoke. "Sophia Sullivan published in 'Science'."

Victoria froze. "What science?"

"'Science'. The one Luo Jun hasn't published in yet."

Victoria was completely stunned.

...

Early morning.

Sophia prepared to go to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Opening the door, she ran into Alexander Laurent.

They were both surprised for a moment.

Sophia smiled. "Good morning, Professor."

"Morning. Heading to school?"

"Yes, to the cafeteria first."

"Together?"

"Okay."

They walked downstairs.

Alexander turned his head. "The school sent out a congratulatory notice. Congratulations on your successful publication in 'Science'."

"Thank you, Professor. Without your lab and your status as corresponding author, my manuscript might not have been accepted."

Alexander was a regular contributor to 'Science'.

There was always some goodwill there.

"I only provided the opportunity. The ability was yours."

The morning sun shone on both of them.

Quiet and beautiful.

Since their last conversation.

He no longer avoided Sophia.

As for whether those dreams still occurred.

Only Alexander and the sheets drying on the balcony knew.