Chapter 480

Sophia Sullivan offered a polite smile. "While I don't mind conversation, our academic fields are quite different."

"Yesterday at the forum, you said the charm of research lies in the symphony of interdisciplinary collaboration. If I recall correctly?"

"...You're not wrong."

The man chuckled, a low, deliberate sound. "You spoke very well. It left quite an impression."

The forced magnetism of his laugh grated on Sophia's ears.

Alexander Laurent's laugh was so much more pleasant...

She pulled her thoughts back. "Professor Song, I've been out too long. My advisor will be looking for me."

She turned to leave.

"Sophia Sullivan—" Song Wei called out directly, stopping her. "Who is your advisor? Professor Gao Qingxu? Professor Moore Kaizhou? Or is it Alexander Laurent?"

He named the senior professors.

All connections of Professor Eleanor Watson.

Sophia frowned. "What are you implying?"

"I saw everything." Song Wei's lips curved into a smirk.

"?"

"Last night at The Celestial Residence. You seemed to be having a very good time with them."

He emphasized the words "good time," his suggestive expression leaving little to the imagination.

Sophia's gaze turned icy. "Please show some respect."

"Playing innocent? Isn't it their doing that you're even here? I didn't expect them to be so willing to share."

Song Wei looked her up and down. "Young and beautiful. A rare sight in these circles. Since you can't be exclusive, why not be generous? It would be good for you too."

"Marvelous! Truly marvelous!"

He laughed again.

Sophia finally understood why his laugh was so irritating.

The man was just vile.

"Professor Song, please show some respect."

"Oh? Am I wrong? Wasn't it them who brought you in?"

Sophia gave a cold laugh. "Why couldn't I have come in on my own?"

"Haha... On your own? What status? What qualifications? Do you even have an invitation?"

"I do." Her tone was flat.

Song Wei scoffed. "Impossible!"

His disbelief lasted until Sophia pulled a red invitation from her bag. Her name was clearly printed in the guest section.

Song Wei's face changed dramatically. "Who pulled strings to get you that invitation?"

Sophia only responded with a colder laugh.

She saw no point in further words.

"Stop— Did I say you could leave?" Song Wei's voice dropped, turning harsh.

Sophia didn't look back. "Do I need your permission to leave? What are you? Just a mangy old dog!"

"You—"

Furious and humiliated, Song Wei lunged after her. His hand was about to grasp her shoulder when a cold, sharp voice cut through the air—

"Song Wei, dare to lay a finger on her and see what happens?!"

Alexander Laurent hadn't been able to find her inside and grew restless.

He'd asked a server and finally tracked her down.

Approaching, he saw Song Wei reaching for her. The words burst out in urgent anger.

Song Wei froze mid-action.

Sophia was startled, then smiled and walked towards Alexander.

"Professor—"

Alexander looked her over carefully, relaxing only when he confirmed she was unharmed. "Why did you come out? Isn't it cold?"

His tone was gentle, a complete contrast to his earlier shout at Song Wei.

"It was stuffy inside. I came out for air. Ran into a rabid dog. Wish I hadn't."

She looked thoroughly disgusted.

She might as well have pointed directly at Song Wei.

Song Wei gritted his teeth in anger.

He suddenly let out a cold laugh. "I wondered whose student could be so insolent. Professor Laurent's. That explains it."

"It's been a while. When did you take on such a pretty female student, Professor Laurent? She must be very... agreeable to teach."

"Then again, you're never short of beautiful women around you. Quite the enviable luck."

Song Wei's tone turned snide, dripping with insinuation aimed at Alexander.

Earlier in the year, they had competed for a national-level project. Song Wei lost to Alexander.

He lost again during the Outstanding Young Scholar selection.

The grudge was firmly set.

Song Wei was based in Hong Kong, Alexander in Boston. They rarely crossed paths.

Now, with an opportunity handed to him, Song Wei wasn't about to waste it.

His eyes swept between them. "I thought you, Professor Laurent, were truly above such temptations. Turns out you just prefer them young and pretty."

"Since we're all old friends, why don't we... share the fun?"

"Shut your mouth—"

As Alexander raised his fist, Sophia's slap was faster.

Smack!

The crisp sound froze the air.

Several seconds later, Song Wei stared in disbelief. "You— You dare hit me?"

"I hit you because you deserved it. Should I check my calendar first?"

"You bitch— An academic seductress who sleeps her way to the top, and you dare raise your hand?!"

He lifted his hand to strike back, but Alexander intercepted his wrist mid-air and shoved him away.

Song Wei staggered back two steps.

Sophia: "Pathetic— So weak!"

"You—"

"Professor Song, this slap is to teach you to watch your mouth, especially regarding women. As a university professor, an expert scholar, how can you say such things? Where is your integrity? Your breeding? Your basic morality? Did you feed it all to the dogs?"

"Who do you think you are? Lecturing me?"

"Yes, I am lecturing you. Can't you tell?"

"Don't you dare say you didn't rely on a man to get that invitation? To attend this summit?"

Alexander: "Bullshit—"

Seeing Alexander's anger, Song Wei subtly pressed a button on his phone.

"Admit it. Sophia Sullivan is your little mistress. To be precise, a shared mistress."

"Alexander Laurent, you play a wild game! Pretending to be a righteous gentleman, but you're actually this kind of trash."