Chapter 463

Sophia Sullivan: This Isn't Right

Sebastian Evans's meaning was clear.

Defeat the young ones, and the old one arrives.

This old one was even more troublesome than the young.

He was warning Caleb Watson to prepare early.

"...The Croix family's most urgent task right now is getting Connor and Sebastian Croix out. They don't have time for revenge yet. Once Vincent Croix realizes he can't save his sons, all his fury will be directed at you."

Caleb's heart tightened.

He was silent for a moment before asking quietly, "Connor and Sebastian Croix are already in. Could the entire Croix family fall too?"

Alexander Laurent paused, telling the truth. "Not necessarily. The existing evidence is enough to convict the Croix brothers. But Vincent Croix... it's hard to say."

What if the father and sons had clear boundaries?

What if Vincent Croix was prepared?

What if...

There were too many variables.

Alexander Laurent couldn't guarantee anything.

Caleb smiled bitterly.

He had thought winning today would mean it was all over.

Reality was far more complicated.

Sebastian Evans spoke. "Don't overestimate the Croix family. They can only throw their weight around in this village. Outside this town, they're nothing."

"Avoiding Vincent Croix's revenge isn't exactly difficult, but it's not simple either."

Caleb looked up. "What do you mean, Mr. Evans?"

"Move."

The Croix family's influence didn't extend beyond the village.

If the Watson family moved to the county seat or the city, Vincent Croix would be powerless.

Staying in the village meant constant harassment.

Mrs. Watson's health required better medical care.

Chloe Sullivan Watson should be starting high school soon.

The city had better educational resources.

"These are just suggestions. The decision is yours."

Caleb smiled bitterly. "I understand the logic..."

But where would the money come from?

Houses in the city weren't cheap.

Renting cost money too.

Mrs. Watson's medical treatments required money.

The Watson family's income only came from Caleb's part-time job and that orchard.

If they moved to the city, what about the orchard?

They had opposed the Croix family to protect their home.

Now they were supposed to abandon it?

But the Croix family's revenge... He didn't dare gamble.

Caleb was caught in a dilemma.

Sebastian Evans didn't press further.

Everyone had their own choices to make.

That night, Caleb didn't sleep.

Sophia Sullivan, Marcus Lawrence, Hannah Morse, Alexander Laurent, and Sebastian Evans stayed at a hotel in town.

The conditions were average.

They were more concerned about Caleb's decision.

Sophia sat at the front desk, staring out at the night sky, lost in thought.

Alexander Laurent's voice broke her reverie.

"Still awake?"

"Professor Laurent," she snapped back to reality and smiled. "You're not resting either?"

Alexander Laurent: "Couldn't sleep."

Sophia Sullivan: "Because of Caleb?"

"You too?"

She nodded gently.

Alexander Laurent asked, "You were quiet earlier. Did you have other thoughts?"

Sophia was silent for a moment.

Just as Alexander thought she wouldn't answer, she spoke—

"I think it's wrong."

The man was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

Sophia Sullivan: "We're all thinking about how to avoid the Croix family's revenge. But why should we avoid it? The Croix family is clearly in the wrong. Why should the victims run?"

She felt there was a problem with Sebastian Evans's line of thinking.

Moving away seemed like the optimal solution.

But... it was too humiliating!

Alexander Laurent: "Sometimes avoiding isn't running away. It's giving the bullet time to fly."

"Is that it?" Sophia was stunned.

Sebastian Evans had just said to her—

"Whether the Croix family falls or not isn't important. Darkness always breeds in places like this. Without the Croix family, there would be the Shaw Family, the Li family... We can't change the现状, we can only protect ourselves first."

"You might think I'm cold, but that's the reality. The Watson family will have to leave eventually. It's just a matter of time."

"I'm only suggesting he choose the most correct path."

Sophia still felt it was wrong.

But she couldn't pinpoint why.

People shouldn't bow their heads easily.

They shouldn't let the storms dictate their direction.

Alexander Laurent's words enlightened her.

"Thank you, Professor! I understand now!" She turned and went upstairs to her room.

Alexander Laurent sat where he was: "?"

What did she understand?

…

The light in the Watson family's main room stayed on all night.

Early the next morning, Alexander Laurent and the others returned to the Watson home.

Mr. Watson and Caleb seemed to have reached a decision.

"Professor Laurent, Mr. Evans, my father and I have decided—"

Caleb.

Sophia Sullivan spoke suddenly.

Her voice was soft, yet it silenced everyone present.

Caleb turned to look at her.

Her expression was calm.

Before you decide, there's something you should know.

Caleb nodded seriously.

The compensation structure at Aetheria Labs is comprehensive.

Salaries vary from Research Assistant to Senior Research Scientist.

Both title and research output impact earnings.

Caleb listened quietly.

The lab can advance you a decade's salary.

An initial estimate puts it at four million.

The actual amount could be higher or lower.

But the advance is capped at that figure.

Caleb's head snapped up.

His father was also stunned.

They never imagined research could pay so well.

Sophia continued.

This money can solve your current difficulties.

But it's not a gift.

An advance means you must remain at Aetheria Labs for ten years.

You'll need to meet annual research quotas and pass title evaluations.

This wasn't charity.

It was Sophia's investment.

It was also the lab's method of retaining talent.

Caleb was worth the price.

Caleb and his father exchanged a look.

They had already decided not to leave.

The village at least had the cherry orchard for sustenance.

Moving to the city would make even eating a problem.

If the Croix family sought revenge, they would have to endure it.

They never expected a way out.

Four million.

Enough to buy a city apartment, cover medical bills, fund Chloe Sullivan's education, and start a small business for his father.

If it were a direct handout, Caleb would refuse.

But this was an advance on his salary.

He could accept it with a clear conscience.

Do I need to sign a contract? Caleb asked.

Sophia nodded.