Chapter 363
Sophia Sullivan stood at the kitchen doorway.
She watched the two flustered individuals.
She couldn't help but laugh.
"I'll cook today."
"You two can assist."
Marcus Lawrence and Hannah Morse both sighed in relief.
They exchanged a glance.
A weight lifted from their shoulders.
Sophia was meticulous in her research.
She was equally precise in cooking.
Meat and vegetables had to be washed separately.
Wilted leaves were carefully removed.
Meat had to be sliced along the grain.
Every step had its own method.
Hannah and Marcus never cooked at home.
Now they were being ordered around.
But they had no complaints.
Instead, they found it novel.
Two hours later.
The meal was finally ready.
Hannah placed her hands on her hips.
Her face beamed with pride.
"I contributed to this feast."
She eagerly pulled out her phone.
She took several pictures of the dining table.
She quickly posted them to her social media.
Her father was the first to like it.
Relatives gradually flooded in.
Likes and comments instantly filled the screen.
Hannah grinned from ear to ear.
Marcus looked at her.
The corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
...
Two days later.
Sophia's foot injury had fully healed.
Her mobility was restored.
She handed the Keten seeds to the professor.
She successfully received 20 points.
They were the only group to find the rare plant.
Other groups had either given up.
Or found the wrong plant.
The pod Alexander Laurent gave her.
Sophia kept for her own collection.
Life returned to normal.
School, lab, home—the same three points.
The only hassle was the commute.
The lab was in the suburbs.
The round trip by subway took over an hour.
The last train ended early.
It was often impossible to get a taxi at night.
Sophia decided to buy a commuter car.
It didn't need to be expensive.
Just functional.
She had just entertained this thought.
The next day, a car was delivered to her.
"Miss Sophia Sullivan?"
"I'm Easton Shaw, a salesperson from Golden Glory 4S."
"Someone ordered a car for you."
"It's currently parked at the alley entrance."
"Please come with me to sign for it."
The man in a black suit presented his credentials.
His face was plastered with a polite smile.
Sophia only opened the door a crack.
Her expression was calm.
"Who ordered it?"
The salesperson maintained his smile.
"Customer privacy prevents me from disclosing that."
Sophia nodded.
"Then I don't want it."
"You can drive it away."
She made to close the door.
The salesperson hurriedly stopped her.
"It's the latest Maserati model."
"Limited to 50 units worldwide."
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
Sophia's tone was indifferent.
"Something of unknown origin."
"The more expensive it is, the more suspicious."
The salesperson refused to give up.
"It really is a Maserati."
"Come down and see for yourself."
He glanced at the old residential building.
Then he looked at Sophia's face.
He secretly speculated.
Some wealthy man must have taken a liking to her beauty.
Trying to win her over with a car.
Someone actually refusing such good fortune.
It was truly unbelievable.
"Miss Sullivan."
"Playing hard to get is fine."
"But don't overdo it."
"Know when to quit while you're ahead."
He hinted that Sophia shouldn't pretend to be so noble.
Sophia snorted coldly.
She had already guessed who sent the car.
"Step aside."
"I'm closing the door."
The salesperson, seeing her stubbornness, finally grew anxious.
"It was sent by Mr. Ethan Roscente!"
"The CEO of a listed company!"
"Consider yourself lucky he's interested in you!"
Suddenly, yelling came from downstairs.
"Who blocked the alley with a car!"
"Think you're something special driving a Maserati!"
"I'll report you right now!"
Sophia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Here, no matter what car you drive."
"Block the road and you'll get yelled at."
The salesperson was dumbfounded.
"You really don't want it?"
Sophia was resolute.
"Drive it away."
The door slammed shut.
The salesperson stood outside.
His face full of disbelief.
Someone actually refused a free Maserati.
Was this woman too full of herself?
He had just left.
Ethan Roscente's call came through.
"Why didn't you accept the car?"
The man's voice was low.
Suppressing anger.
Sophia countered calmly.
"What is our relationship?"
"What right do you have to send me a car?"
"And why should I accept it?"
Ethan was speechless for two seconds.
He gritted his teeth.
"We are friends."
"Can't I give a friend a gift?"
Sophia's tone remained calm.
"If you give a gift, be prepared for rejection."
She hung up directly.
Ethan was so angry he nearly threw his phone.
Outside the door.
Fiona Valentine heard the commotion.
She waited quietly for a moment.
Then she raised her hand and knocked.
"Come in."
Ethan had already regained his composure.
Except for his reddened eyes.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Fiona pushed the door open.
Her smile was gentle.
"Borrowing your study."
"I made oatmeal porridge as thanks."
"Martha said you liked it."
"It's cooled down a bit."
"Eat it while it's warm."
Ethan grunted in acknowledgment.
His expression was unreadable.
"You go out first."
"I still have matters to attend to."
Fiona put down the bowl of porridge.
She nodded obediently.
The moment she turned around.
Her smile vanished completely.
Jealousy flashed in her eyes.
A Maserati.
Far more expensive than her Chanel and Hermès.