Chapter 373
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."
Isabella Sullivan's voice was apologetic.
"The publisher just notified me they're doing another print run of 'Seven Days'."
"Three huge boxes of title pages arrived for signing. I simply can't get away."
Her new book was already on its third printing.
The mountain of title pages waiting for signatures filled her study.
A sweet burden for a bestselling author.
Sophia Sullivan's eyes curved into happy crescents.
"My mom is a famous author now. It's only normal for her to be busy!"
Her tone was playful, filled with a daughter's particular pride.
Isabella laughed.
"A few days ago, a reader somehow got my number."
"They immediately asked for a personalized signed book. Offered a hundred thousand."
David Sullivan was drinking tea nearby.
He nearly choked.
A single written blessing was worth that much?
This world...
"Wow!" Sophia was astonished.
"Then what?"
"Your mother was too stunned to respond."
"The other party thought she was refusing and directly doubled the offer to two hundred thousand."
David still found it unbelievable.
"Did you agree?"
"We signed it."
"But we didn't take the money. We heard they were also from Kyoto."
After hanging up, Sophia saw a package pickup notification.
She struggled out of her warm blankets.
She slipped on her slippers and drew the curtains.
It had snowed again last night.
The world outside her window was blanketed in white.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Sophia ran to answer it.
Pop!
Colorful streamers flew through the air.
Tiny glittering specks settled in her hair.
Olivia Lopez stood there in a sharp black suit with a red bow tie.
Her hair was elegantly coiffed.
"Ready, princess? Your knight has arrived to escort you."
Sophia instinctively covered her mouth.
She knew Olivia was coming, but she hadn't expected this.
"Surprised? Shocked?"
"Thank you!" Sophia pulled her into a big hug.
"The handsomest Knight Vivi!"
Olivia patted her back gently.
"Don't get emotional yet. This is just the beginning~"
She checked her watch.
"Twenty minutes enough?"
"Plenty!" Sophia dashed back to her room to wash up and change.
Twenty minutes later, she was in Olivia's car.
Downtown, at a top-tier steakhouse—
The door opened.
A single beam of light cut through the dim restaurant.
Crystal chandeliers flickered on one by one.
A silent ceremony welcoming the guest of honor.
Olivia bowed gracefully.
"After you, my princess."
The spotlight moved, perfectly illuminating Sophia.
She followed its path to a window-side table.
Olivia pulled out her chair with impeccable gentlemanly风度.
Then she produced a gift.
"Happy birthday. Want to open it?"
Sophia took the box.
A classic Cartier bracelet lay inside.
Four pink diamonds sparkled.
The initials S.S. were engraved on the inner band.
A symbol of eternal friendship.
"It's beautiful! I love it."
"Here, let me put it on you."
The bracelet slid over her slender wrist.
It contrasted beautifully with her fair skin.
"This piece really suits you!"
Sophia couldn't stop admiring it.
Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"Is that it?"
"Hmm?" Sophia looked up.
There was more?
Olivia smiled mysteriously and nodded to a waiter.
The joyful notes of "Ode to Joy" began to play.
To the music, Alexander Laurent approached, pushing a cake.
A fondant figurine stood atop the pink and white frosting.
Its large, spirited eyes were unmistakably a cartoon version of Sophia.
It was surrounded by delicate pink pearls.
Simple and exquisite.
"Professor?" Sophia was surprised.
The corners of Alexander's lips lifted slightly.
The music swelled.
Warmth filled the air.
In the flickering candlelight, his smile was dazzling.
Sophia was momentarily mesmerized.
Until—
"Happy birthday." He stopped before her and offered a bouquet of blue irises.
Sophia snapped back to reality.
"Thank you, Professor. The flowers and the cake are both so beautiful…"
Blue iris meaning: elegance, vitality, hope, admiration, and enchantment.
Olivia chuckled softly.
"Clara, look a little closer?"
Sophia lowered her gaze to the flowers.
Her eyes stopped—
A small silver box, edged in pink, was nestled among the blooms.
Under their watchful eyes, she opened it.
A necklace glittered inside.
"This is…?"
Olivia: "My brother's birthday gift to you."
The outer band resembled planetary orbits.
Nine diamonds were set along the "orbits" like stars.
Looking closer at their color…
"Fancy color diamonds?!"
They weren't a single hue.
Each diamond shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors under the light!
Sophia drew a sharp breath.
"Do these occur naturally?"
Alexander shook his head gently.
"Not under natural conditions."
"Then these are…?"
Olivia jumped in.
"My brother synthesized them himself!"
Sophia lifted the necklace toward the light.
It truly was a mix of colors!
"How?" She looked at Alexander, her eyes full of curiosity.
Alexander: "There are two primary methods for lab-grown diamond synthesis—HPHT and CVD."
"A ceramic container uses hydraulic pressure to create extreme pressure."
"Electrical power generates intense heat, causing carbon to form crystals around a natural diamond seed."
"Typically…"
Olivia stood to the side, her head starting to ache.
A romantic gift-giving moment had turned into an academic seminar?
The two principals seemed completely unaware.
One explained with professional detail.
The other listened with rapt attention.
Olivia looked skyward in exasperation.
Have you two forgotten something?