Chapter 36

"Finally came around?" Julian Winston sprang up from the couch.

"Done playing monk?"

Ethan Roscente didn't look up.

His fingers tapped the sofa armrest.

"Just playing a part."

Julian clapped.

"I'll arrange it for you right away. Absolutely clean."

The call ended.

Five minutes later, an address arrived.

[Golden Jade Palace 1080]

[Been watching her. Untouched. A gift for you.]

Ethan smirked.

He grabbed his jacket and left.

The night was thick as ink.

A night of pleasure was worth a fortune.

The next noon.

Julian emerged from the next room, ruffling his hair.

His bathrobe hung loosely.

Golden Jade Palace was a Winston family property.

This exclusive suite was larger than a standard apartment.

He was desperately thirsty.

Pouring a glass of red wine, he paced the living room.

He encountered a woman's slender back.

Her snow-white shoulders and neck were marked with ambiguous red traces.

Her gaze at Ethan was sorrowful and heartbroken.

The man remained unmoved.

He handed her a check and sent her away.

Ethan looked up.

He met Julian's teasing eyes.

Julian leisurely lit a cigarette.

"That look would melt any heart. How could you be so cold?"

Ethan scoffed.

"Payment settled. No pity needed."

"True." Julian raised his glass.

"Want some?"

"No."

Drinking in the early morning.

Only Julian would do that.

The tobacco glowed.

Ethan took a deep drag.

His features were indifferent amidst the swirling white smoke.

A night of indulgence.

Yet no sense of release was found.

Julian leaned in.

"Not afraid Sophia Sullivan will cause a scene?"

Ethan frowned.

"Just an ex-girlfriend. Is she worthy?"

Hiss!

So they really weren't back together.

"What about Isabella Langley? Fresh and right in front of you, yet you go for outsiders?"

That girl's figure and looks weren't bad.

Though her气质 couldn't match Sophia's.

She was young and tender.

But he.

Preferred wild game.

Ethan blew a smoke ring.

"Good girls are trouble."

Julian laughed.

"Why weren't you afraid of Sophia being trouble back then? She seemed the type to take things seriously."

Ethan froze.

After a long moment.

"Yeah. That's why it took six years to shake her off."

Julian burst out laughing.

"Only you would say that."

...

Mid-October.

Sophia Sullivan received an email about her SCI preliminary review passing.

Olivia Lopez shrieked.

"Oh my god! Miaobao, you're amazing! That's SCI!"

Sophia sighed.

"It's just the preliminary review. There's a long way to go."

"With your level, the re-review will definitely pass. Don't worry."

"Well... To celebrate passing the preliminary, let me treat you to a meal?"

Sophia smiled.

"I should be treating you."

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

"Sisters don't keep score. It's settled. I'll pick you up right away."

The call ended.

Sophia opened her wardrobe.

She chose a V-neck floral dress.

Two months had passed.

Her hair had grown to her collarbones.

The weather was hot.

She tied it up with a matching hairband.

Half an hour later.

A message from Olivia said she was downstairs.

Changing shoes and grabbing her bag, she went down.

The car was parked at the alley entrance.

While waiting, she glanced up unintentionally.

She saw Alexander Laurent approaching.

A boy with a crew cut walked beside him.

His backpack looked sunny.

The two were talking softly.

Alexander nodded occasionally.

After finishing, the boy turned and left.

Olivia waved.

"Bro!"

Alexander looked up.

His gaze behind his glasses was calm.

"What are you doing here?"

"Taking Mia out to eat. That just now... your student?"

That boy was handsome and gentle.

His dimples when he smiled hit all her aesthetic points.

Alexander glanced at her.

"A graduate student from another school. Came to ask some questions."

She wanted to ask more.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Sophia had arrived.

Alexander adjusted his glasses.

"You guys eat. I'll head out first."

Olivia tried to stop him.

"Join us?"

"Need to get back to the lab."

He had come back to retrieve something.

Sophia hadn't reached the first floor yet.

But she had already heard Alexander's voice.

After their last meeting, he had been buried in the lab.

It had been a month since they last saw each other.

In the stairwell.

Alexander stood on the third step.

Sunlight filtered through the diamond-shaped wall patterns.

Dappled light fell around him.

His cool eyes seemed warmed.

Their eyes met.

Sophia said softly,

"I washed your jacket a long time ago. Just haven't had a chance to return it."

The floral dress made her skin seem whiter than snow.

Nude high-heeled sandals.

Fresh and clean.

Alexander was momentarily dazed.

Then he remembered that jacket.

His voice was slightly hoarse.

"I've been staying at the lab recently. Came back today to get something."

Sophia noticed his tiredness.

"Go ahead with your work then. Remember to rest."

"Okay."

As they passed each other.

Sophia hadn't worn heels in a long time.

She missed a step.

Her body lurched forward.

Alexander swiftly steadied her.

His hand supported her waist.

Sophia, startled, patted her chest.

Belatedly, she caught a scent of pinewood.

It was his unique fragrance.