Chapter 489

Late May, Isabella Sullivan flew to the city for an IP film launch event.

It was the weekend. David Sullivan accompanied his wife and brought a large package of sliced marinated beef and six jars of handmade pickled vegetables for Sophia.

"All natural, no additives! Remember to share some with Alexander. Don't eat it all yourself."

He left in a hurry.

The organizers covered all accommodations. Since the launch venue was far from the Atlante family home, the couple chose to stay at a hotel.

They still set aside an afternoon to visit Isaac and Florence Atlante and have dinner with them.

The elderly couple knew their daughter was busy, and their son-in-law... was equally busy. They didn't insist they stay overnight.

In a few days, after Isaac finished some tasks, the old couple would leave for a nearby city to escape the summer heat.

They lived in the same neighborhood. There would be plenty of chances to meet.

Sophia watched her father's retreating figure, then looked at the pile of marinated beef.

She divided half into another bag and added three jars of pickled vegetables, waiting for Alexander Laurent to return so she could give it to him.

By eleven at night, she had finished reading three research papers and was ready for bed. There was still no sound of a door opening across the hall.

Worried she might miss him, she went over and knocked.

"Professor, are you home?"

No answer.

He was probably pulling another all-nighter at the lab.

Sophia wasn't concerned. She spent plenty of time in the lab herself these days. Caleb Watson practically lived there.

Hannah Morse had joked, "Just add a couple of wardrobes. If Sophia brings some cooking utensils, it'll be just like home."

A few days later, Caleb actually found a second-hand wardrobe and placed it in the break room.

"It's neater this way. The clothes won't be as messy."

He never used to care about such things.

So what if it was messy? As long as the clothes were wearable.

But now there were two women in the lab, and Marcus Lawrence was particularly fastidious. He felt he shouldn't be too sloppy.

As time passed, Hannah noticed—

"Has Caleb become more handsome?"

It was simply washing his hair more often, changing clothes regularly, and smiling more.

Caleb had decent features to begin with. With a little effort, his natural presence emerged.

Marcus Lawrence heard this but said nothing.

The next day, however, he showed up with a new hairstyle and a rare trench coat.

Hannah exclaimed, "Did you get a perm?"

Marcus nodded. "Yes."

"The classic fuckboy look!"

"??"

Caleb passed by and casually added, "Fuckboy perm."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "I know."

He then walked away calmly.

The next day, he quietly returned to his original hairstyle.

Hannah nodded. "This looks much better."

The corner of Marcus's mouth lifted slightly. He thought to himself: This will be the hairstyle from now on.

Caleb looked at the ends of Marcus's hair, secretly envious.

All that styling must have cost a fortune.

Back to the main point. Sophia had to move the marinated beef to a corner of the living room for easy retrieval later.

For seven full days, Sophia spent three nights at the lab and four at home, but never saw any sign of Alexander.

Even his parking space in the garage remained empty.

Sophia frowned.

Had his old condition flared up again? Was he back in the hospital?

She immediately texted Alexander—

[Professor, my father brought some marinated beef. There's a portion for you.]

[When will you be home? I'll give it to you.]

[Image]

Alexander replied promptly—

[Please thank your father for me. I've been staying at the lab recently.]

Sophia felt slightly relieved. At least he wasn't hospitalized.

[The air sample analysis report is out.]

She sent the file directly to Alexander.

This time, there was no immediate reply.

After her shower, Sophia saw a WeChat message from ten minutes ago.

She opened it—

Alexander: [It largely matches the police report. No hallucinogenic or aphrodisiac components were detected.]

This was also the main reason the police investigation concluded with "no case to answer."

The police indeed did not file a case.

Alexander had waited several days before firing Lillian Lopez, precisely to await the police response.

If a case had been filed, Lillian would have faced more than just dismissal.

This was what puzzled Sophia.

Alexander's reaction that day was definitely not feigned. Yet the component analysis showed nothing. There was only one explanation—

Certain aphrodisiac components had dissipated before the samples were collected.

And they had dissipated to a degree undetectable by current technology.

Such drugs simply didn't exist on the market.

Sophia: [Is a phone call convenient to discuss details?]

A moment later, Alexander called.

Sophia answered and outlined her theory: "...This person has access to new drugs. They must have connections and resources. Professor, you must be careful."

"Okay."

With the serious matter concluded, silence fell between them.

"...Professor," Sophia spoke first, "Are you not coming home to stay these days?"

There was a brief silence on the other end: "...No."

"Alright. Get some rest. Don't stay up too late. Goodnight."

Although Alexander's reaction seemed normal, not obviously avoiding her like last time, Sophia still sensed a certain evasiveness in his words.

She walked onto the balcony, letting the cool night breeze wash over her. A smile touched her lips, not fading.

Though she wondered why the man was avoiding her, Sophia never bothered herself with such worries.

To be precise, after going through that emotional ordeal with Ethan Roscente, she no longer felt anxious over men.

Even if she guessed Alexander might be shy or embarrassed;

Even if they had shared such an ambiguous moment;

Even if she herself felt... a strange flutter of emotion for Alexander;

Even if she saw the hidden admiration in his eyes;

So what?

If a man doesn't take the initiative to confess, should a woman lower her head and declare her love?

The old Sophia never would.

The current Sophia was even less likely.

A flower blooming in place naturally attracts bees and butterflies. If one doesn't come, others will.

Sophia remembered a line she saw online that felt quite right—

Anyone standing under a cherry blossom tree looks beautiful. Honey tastes sweet to anyone who tries it.

So, no need to overthink it. What is meant to come will come.

Right now...

Sleep was the most important thing!

She slept soundly through the night and woke at dawn.

Sophia got up and immediately started packing. For the next half month, she would be stationed at the lab.

Not just her. Hannah, Marcus, and Caleb all needed to go into seclusion. The reason—

A new research project had arrived!

By the time Alexander finished his week-long stay at the lab and returned, resolved to face Sophia, she was already long gone.