Chapter 475
Sophia Sullivan's gaze held admiration, envy, and yearning.
When would she stand at such a height herself?
To be discussed for her ability, to attract attention through her own skill.
She sighed softly.
She still wasn't working hard enough...
Alexander Laurent was outlining his research direction for the next decade.
A new type of quantum entanglement source.
Quantum light interference in free-space channels.
Three-dimensional imaging with quantum light.
His voice was steady, low and pleasant.
The content was specialized but not obscure.
He used accessible language understandable across different fields.
At this moment, Alexander was radiant, his charm utterly compelling.
Sophia sat in the audience.
Her prepared notebook finally came in handy.
She listened and took notes.
Fully focused, completely absorbed.
Not far away, Lillian Lopez watched Alexander in his suit on stage.
She listened to his eloquent speech, already mesmerized.
Staring at his handsome profile, she couldn't process his words.
Knowledge flowed like water, entering one ear and exiting the other.
Nothing remained.
She was lost in her infatuation, completely forgetting she was at an academic summit.
Only at times like this could she look at him freely.
Think of him.
Reveal her true feelings.
Each presentation was followed by a thirty-minute Q&A session.
This was often the most exciting part of the forum.
Because debates frequently erupted.
Like now.
The质疑 came from Professor Harrison, an expert in biophysics from Columbia University.
"Following your logic, physics is a specialized discipline requiring specialized research."
"Does this imply interdisciplinary studies lack purpose?"
"Should this interdisciplinary academic summit not even be held?"
Professor Harrison's criticism was challenging.
He didn't attack the professional content.
Instead, he seized on a perceived flaw in Alexander's wording.
It felt like...
He was picking a fight for no reason.
That was Sophia's opinion, at least.
Alexander had expected a blockbuster question.
This was disappointingly case.
But the atmosphere was charged, the stage set.
Not playing along would disappoint the audience.
Alexander raised a brow slightly.
He leaned into the microphone and spoke clearly.
"Since Professor Harrison is a leader in biophysics."
"And I am, in your view, a specialized 'extremist'."
"Any answer I give may lack persuasion."
"Perhaps..."
He paused, a slight smile touching his lips.
"I should invite a biology student to answer."
"Let's see, from a student's perspective, outside the scholar's role."
"Is my 'specialized research' the same as your 'rejection of interdisciplinary studies'?"
His gaze swept the audience, landing precisely on one spot.
"You, Sophia Sullivan."
The named person froze for two seconds.
Then she quickly collected herself.
She set down her pen and notebook.
Took a deep breath.
Rose calmly.
Accepted the microphone from the host.
"In my view, Professor Laurent's emphasis on 'specialization' is not wrong."
"Professor Harrison's insistence on interdisciplinary concept is also not wrong."
"Since neither is wrong, why the debate?"
Alexander raised a brow. "Could you elaborate on the reason?"
"It's simple. Different understandings, a deviation in perceiving these two concepts."
"But perception is inherently subjective..."
Sophia finished and prepared to sit.
Alexander posed another question.
"Could you combine research practice in biophysics to expand on your opinion?"
Sophia was surprised.
Even Professor Eleanor Watson glanced at Alexander twice.
Combining research practice to expand her opinion?
This was...
Undoubtedly giving Sophia a public platform to elaborate on her own research topic.
Such an occasion, such an opportunity...
Something many would crave, offered to Sophia so casually by Alexander.
Now the question was—
Take it?
Or not?
Emotions flickered in Sophia's eyes.
She looked at Alexander again.
Their eyes met.
She saw encouragement in his gaze.
And... trust?
He believed in her, hence giving her this chance to shine.
Since that was the case...
A slight curve touched Sophia's lips.
Her gaze turned resolute.
She wouldn't let him down.
"Of course. My research focuses on biological data model construction and..."
"In practice, I discovered..."
"From this, I derived..."
"Leading to the deduction..."
Every moment spent in the lab found its value now.
Every experimental step, every set of conclusion data, every parameter adjustment.
Sophia recalled them all, effortlessly.
She organized her thoughts with clarity.
Articulated the experiment with logical flow.
Concluded with concise precision.
She finished right as the session ended.
A "Thank you" accompanied by a slight bow.
She calmly returned the microphone to the host and resumed her seat.
Two seconds of silence.
Then thunderous applause erupted.
Even the critical Professor Harrison couldn't help but nod.
"A student? Which university?"
"Sitting next to Professor Watson, remembered by Alexander Laurent... MIT, right?"
"Sophia Sullivan... that name sounds familiar. Have I... heard it somewhere?"
"Wait! Now that you mention it, I have an impression... Ah! I remember!"
"That 'Boundless Lab' newly ranked in the national key laboratory list this year, know it?"
"I know. Only six papers from China in Nature Biotechnology last year, that lab took two."
"What does that have to do with that student?"
"Sophia Sullivan is from the Boundless Lab!"
"Huh? Isn't she from MIT? How is she connected to the Boundless Lab?"
"Let me tell you, there's quite a story there!"
"Oh?" A whiff of gossip?
"..."
Soon, whispers rose from the audience.
Words like "MIT administration," "fire safety rectification," "self-established lab" peppered the chatter...
Yet Sophia, at the center of the议论, remained calm, detached.
Professor Watson was the same, even radiating a sense of shared pride.
Lillian Lopez sat in a corner.
She watched Sophia speak eloquently.
Exchange glances with Alexander.
Finally cause a sturr and discussion.
First, she anticipated a good show.
Then, she was stunned by Sophia's performance.
Finally, it turned into deep jealousy.
Why her?