Chapter 467

Alexander Laurent was different.

The man froze.

Then he chuckled softly. "Why do you ask?"

Sophia Sullivan looked at him intently. "I think it was you. So, was it?"

After a moment of silence, Alexander nodded. "Yes."

A smile touched Sophia's lips. "I knew it... No wonder you said to let things play out. You had it all planned?"

"I considered it, but wasn't sure it would work."

That's why he hadn't mentioned it beforehand.

He didn't want to raise hopes for something uncertain, only to cause disappointment.

"I have a question for you too," Alexander said.

Sophia blinked. "What is it?"

"Why were you so sure it was me, and not Sebastian Evans? Did you ask him?"

"No. I only asked you."

"Then why were you certain?"

Sophia paused. They had reached her doorstep.

"Because—" She met his gaze directly, her words clear. "I believe you could see the hardship the Watson family faced. You could sense the village's backwardness. You couldn't bear to just stand by."

Sebastian had seen it too. He had told Caleb what to do.

But he stopped at giving advice. He didn't intend to interfere with someone else's fate.

In his view, it was their path to walk, not his to alter.

Alexander was different.

He saw, he knew what needed to be done, and he understood Caleb couldn't achieve it alone.

So Sophia had helped Caleb with the money, but changing the reality of Lower Dam Village was beyond her power.

"The news also mentioned government plans to build roads and develop agricultural side industries... Was that your suggestion too?"

Alexander nodded. "In a way. Is it... acceptable?"

Sophia laughed. "It's more than acceptable! It's perfect!"

The man rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.

"Professor, have you had dinner?"

Alexander replied, "Yes, I have."

"Then how about some late-night snacks?"

His eyes lit up. "Is this... an invitation?"

"If you think it is, then it is." Sophia took the shopping bag from him and turned to open the door.

Alexander followed her inside, expertly changing his shoes. "Well, I can't refuse such hospitality. Don't mind if I do."

They cooked together again, ate together, cleaned up together.

As he was leaving, Alexander asked, "Are you going to the lab tomorrow?"

Sophia nodded. "Yes."

"Shall we leave together then?"

"Okay."

The next day, Sophia got up early to make soy milk and fry some dough sticks.

She handed a portion to Alexander at the door. "Breakfast."

"Thank you."

They walked to the garage to get their cars.

Alexander said, "I have a meeting at the main auditorium today. It's near the eastern suburbs. Would you like to have lunch together?"

Sophia agreed. "Sure."

...

It was Sunday. Neither Hannah Morse nor Marcus Lawrence had come in.

Sophia changed into her lab coat and started working.

When she looked up again, it was already eleven.

She stretched her stiff neck and went to get some water.

Her phone rang abruptly.

"Hello? Grandma."

"Clara, it's Sunday! Don't forget to come for lunch. The food is almost ready!"

"!!"

"Clara? Are you there? Is the signal bad...?"

"Grandma, I'm here," she responded quickly. "Lunch..."

"Yes, have you left yet? Should I ask A-Yan to pick you up?"

"N-No need..."

Heavens! She had completely forgotten!

Last week, the old lady had called about lunch. Sophia, busy testing a model, had casually said, "I'm busy this week."

The old lady immediately suggested, "Next week is fine too."

Sophia thought she wouldn't be busy next week and realized it had been a while since she visited them, so she agreed.

And then...

She forgot all about it!

"Grandma, I—"

"Old man, watch the stove for me. It's been stewing for three hours, just needs reducing. It's noisy in here, I'll go outside to talk to Clara..."

The old lady moved to the living room. The range hood noise faded.

"Clara, can you hear me now? What were you saying?"

"Nothing... I'll be there on time. Sorry for making you cook so much."

"No trouble at all! No trouble!" The old lady happily hung up.

Sophia put down her phone and immediately called Alexander. It was still early; he probably... hadn't left yet?

The phone rang twice before Alexander answered.

"Sophia?"

"Professor Laurent, I'm so sorry, today I might—"

Before she could finish, her tablet chimed with a permission request. The screen showed the feed from the camera outside her door.

Who else could it be but Alexander?

"Sophia, I'm outside. Did you get the entry request?"

Sophia: "..." He was here already?!

Alexander came in and noticed Sophia wasn't in the lab area. Her workstation was tidy.

"Professor, I'm sorry..."

"What's wrong? Why the sudden apology?" He looked surprised.

"I forgot I promised Grandma I'd go home for lunch today... I'm so sorry to cancel on you. I was just calling to tell you, but I didn't expect..."

Alexander was taken aback, then understood. "That's all? It's nothing to apologize so seriously for... Go spend time with your grandmother. I can manage lunch on my own."

Thinking he had declined a colleague's invitation specifically to have lunch with her, and now she was backing out, Sophia felt terribly guilty.

"Professor, why don't you come with me to my grandparents' for lunch?"

The old couple knew Alexander and thought highly of him. They would likely welcome him.

"Would that... be appropriate?"

A family meal... Was it right for an outsider to be there?

The more Sophia thought about it, the better the idea seemed. It solved both problems. "It's settled then!"

Alexander said, "Then... I'll accompany you to visit them. It has been a while."

As they were preparing to leave, they ran into Caleb Watson emerging from the break room.

Or rather, floating out.

His steps were soundless. Dark circles hung under his eyes. He looked utterly drained, yawning as he walked.

Seeing Sophia and Alexander, he froze for a second.

Then, snapping to attention, he hurriedly greeted them. "Sophia, Professor Laurent, you're here?"

Alexander gave a slight nod.

Sophia stared at him, her gaze scrutinizing.

Caleb scratched his head. "Well... I'll get to the lab then."

Watching his unsteady gait, Sophia's frown deepened. "Did you pull another all-nighter last night?"

Caleb: "..."

Just as she thought!

Sophia was genuinely angry now. "You were up late the night before last, and another all-nighter last night. Have you even slept four hours total? Are you doing research or trying to kill yourself?"

Caleb was stunned by the scolding, rooted to the spot like a confused goose.

He used to work at this intensity all the time. No one had ever said anything.

No one had ever gotten angry with him over how few hours he slept.

Along with the discomfort and strangeness, a warmth and gratitude he'd never felt before bloomed in his chest.

"Sophia..."

"Don't say another word. Go get ready. You're coming home with me for lunch."

Caleb: "?!"