Chapter 472

The substitute teacher was unfamiliar.

He was slightly balding and around forty years old.

His teaching consisted of mechanically reading from the PowerPoint.

The class was dull and lifeless.

The students began to lose focus.

"Where's Professor Laurent?" Hannah Morse whispered to Marcus Lawrence.

Marcus shook his head. "If you don't know, how would I?"

Hannah shot him an exasperated look.

Marcus looked down at his phone. "I sent a message to Sophia…"

"Did she reply?"

"Not yet."

Hannah completely gave up on talking.

At that moment, Sophia Sullivan was on a flight to Shanghai with Professor Eleanor Watson.

Their plane landed at Pudong Airport at two in the afternoon.

A private car picked them up, and they arrived at The Peninsula Hotel fifty minutes later.

A large display board stood at the hotel entrance.

It read: "The 13th National Interdisciplinary Academic Summit Forum."

Staff guided them through the VIP check-in channel.

Sophia was accompanying Professor Watson to the academic summit.

She hadn't had time to tell Hannah or Marcus.

She had woken up to a call from her professor, telling her to pack her bags and head to the airport.

She only learned their destination after boarding.

During the trip, she had to take care of herself while also constantly watching over Professor Watson.

The elderly woman had been hospitalized last month and hadn't fully recovered.

This summit covered multiple interdisciplinary fields.

It wasn't just biology experts; scholars from other related disciplines were also attending.

Sophia could only attend thanks to Professor Watson's recommendation.

They finished checking in at the front desk and were heading to the elevators when they ran into someone familiar.

"Professor Watson! Sophia!" Alexander Laurent greeted them with a smile. "You're here too?"

Professor Watson was delighted to see him. "Alexander! I didn't expect you to arrive today."

The summit lasted three days. Day one for registration, day two for lectures, and day three for activities and a banquet.

Alexander smiled. "I came early to prepare."

"You're always so diligent." Professor Watson nodded approvingly.

A woman beside Alexander spoke up. "Hello, Professor Watson."

"And you are?" Professor Watson looked at her.

"I'm Lillian Lopez, a researcher in Professor Laurent's lab."

Professor Watson gave a slight nod.

Lillian turned to Sophia. "Sophia, you're here too?"

Sophia offered a polite smile. "We're heading up now. Don't let us keep you."

Alexander nodded in acknowledgment.

Lillian watched them leave, a smile on her face but a dark look in her eyes.

Sophia Sullivan got to attend a summit of this caliber?

Everyone here was a top scholar in their field, at least at the researcher level.

What could a mere graduate student possibly understand?

She was just here for the show.

"...Lillian, your ID."

Lillian snapped out of her thoughts and hurriedly searched for her identification.

Alexander had already gotten his room key and was walking toward the elevator.

He showed no intention of waiting for her.

She rushed through the check-in process and chased after him. "Professor! Wait for me!"

They went up to the seventh floor and entered their respective rooms.

Just before Alexander closed his door, Lillian suggested, "Professor, shall we have dinner together?"

Alexander checked the time. "I have an online meeting. Please go ahead without me."

The door closed softly.

Lillian stood rooted to the spot.

The door suddenly opened again.

Her eyes lit up.

"Professor…"

"Lillian, this is a rare opportunity. I hope you make the most of it."

Alexander closed the door again.

Lillian forced herself to maintain a smile.

Simon Lowell was supposed to come.

But something came up with his family last minute, and he recommended Lillian take his place.

Alexander wasn't aware of the specifics.

He had said what needed to be said.

…

Professor Watson hadn't fully recovered. Tired from the journey, she rested early.

Sophia helped her unpack and placed a glass of water by her bedside.

Then she quietly left the room.

Back in her own room, she took a shower and unpacked.

She made a cup of herbal tea and sat on the balcony rocking chair.

She admired the view while replying to messages.

She fell asleep without realizing it.

She woke up in the evening.

She first checked on Professor Watson. The elderly woman was sound asleep.

The water glass by the bed was half empty. Sophia refilled it.

She gently closed the door behind her as she left.

She ran into Alexander from across the hall.

They were both surprised.

"What a coincidence?" Alexander smiled.

Sophia pointed to the next room. "Professor Watson is in this one."

"Have you eaten?"

"I was just about to go."

"Let's go together. We can take a walk along the Bund afterward."

"Okay, let me just grab my bag."

Sophia went back to her room for her belongings.

She waited for the elevator with Alexander.

A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them.

"Professor!"

They both turned around.