Chapter 474

Sophia Sullivan put away her phone.

She didn't check the comments section.

It was getting late, so they headed back to the hotel.

Lillian Lopez stood in the lobby.

"Professor, Sophia."

Her smile was strained.

Her gaze fell on the two approaching side by side.

Alexander Laurent was elegant and scholarly.

Sophia Sullivan was strikingly beautiful.

They spoke in low tones, their rapport effortless.

Lillian's nails dug into her palms.

Alexander gave a slight nod.

Sophia offered only a faint curve of her lips.

They walked straight toward the elevators.

Lillian was left behind.

Her carefully planned 'chance' encounter had become a joke.

It was all Sophia's fault!

Lillian's eyes darkened.

Securing a spot at this summit hadn't been easy.

She had accompanied Simon Lowell on a trip to Lijiang.

She was the picture of gentle devotion, patient and attentive throughout.

Simon was deeply moved.

He even bought a diamond ring and proposed.

Lillian had intended to refuse.

But for the summit spot, she gave a vague acceptance.

While Simon was lost in visions of their future, she sighed softly.

"You attended the summit last year. I'm so envious."

Simon comforted her, saying there would be other opportunities.

Lillian lowered her eyes.

"Even if there is a chance, it won't be my turn. You and Dr. Zoe Langley are both ahead of me."

Simon was silent for a moment.

"I'll recommend you next year for sure."

Lillian looked up.

"Next year it might still be you. If I take your spot, would you really be okay with that?"

"You're my girlfriend. What's mine is yours. I'd be thrilled to see you succeed."

"Then let me have it this time, okay?"

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Simon was stunned.

He studied her carefully.

Lillian regretted her haste.

"I'm sorry, that was selfish of me."

Simon quickly shook his head.

"No, Lillian, I understand. You just don't want to miss this opportunity."

He even made excuses for her.

Lillian seized the opening.

"Simon, only you understand me. I never used to care about ambition, but being with you... I've started to feel insecure..."

Simon was shocked.

Lillian felt insecure because of him?

A tremor of excitement ran through him.

This wasn't his one-sided fantasy.

Lillian loved him too!

"Okay," Simon said, taking her hand. "I'll help you get whatever you want."

The day after they returned to the city, Alexander notified Lillian to prepare for the summit.

Lillian didn't know how Simon managed it.

She only cared about the three days she would spend with Alexander.

For the past six months, Alexander had been deliberately keeping his distance.

In group settings, it was manageable.

But he always found a way to avoid being alone with her.

Lillian panicked.

If this continued, Alexander would drift further away.

She had to seize this opportunity.

Lillian stared toward the elevators, her fists clenched.

A look of grim determination flashed in her eyes.

...

The summit officially began the next day.

It was held in the conference hall adjacent to the hotel.

Guests started arriving at eight in the morning.

The forum commenced at nine.

After a brief opening by the host, the lecture session began.

Alexander Laurent was the youngest discipline leader in the country's physics community.

Last year, he was named the top young scientist by "Nature."

The organizers scheduled him as the second speaker.

Preceding him was Academician Ding Suiqian, a member of both academies.

This order sparked discussion.

Sophia overheard the murmurs around her.

"Alexander Laurent is too young to speak second, isn't he?"

"Academic achievement shouldn't be about seniority, but basic courtesy matters."

"Academician Ding first is fine, but Alexander second... There are still esteemed seniors like Academician Zhu and Academician Wang after him."

"The new generation surpasses the old. It's not good if the old guard gets left behind."

The sour grapes were plentiful.

Alexander was too young, his achievements too great.

He had碍ed some people's eyes and blocked some people's paths.

Being targeted with gossip was inevitable.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Professor Eleanor Watson whispered, "Ignore them. They're just jealous. They wouldn't dare say any of that to his face."

Sophia couldn't help but smile.

She looked at the man on stage, precise and composed.

A light shimmered in her eyes.