Chapter 72

Sophia Sullivan's lips curved into a faint smile. "It's fine."

Despite her words, the air grew slightly tense.

Olivia Lopez's end suddenly became noisy. "Clara, I have to go. The family dinner is starting. My mom is looking for me."

"Okay."

The call ended. Her phone vibrated repeatedly.

It was a message from Sebastian Evans.

The international lawsuit and the acceptance receipt. Documents requiring her signature.

International litigation procedures were complex. The speed of this progress surprised Sophia.

She downloaded the files, signed them online, and sent them back.

He replied instantly, his tone teasing.

[Trusting me so much? Not afraid I'll sell you out?]

Sophia: [You wouldn't.]

Sebastian chuckled softly, his fingers tapping the screen.

[Relax. They're just necessary documents. Nothing more than filing the lawsuit.]

Sophia raised an eyebrow.

She had, of course, scrutinized the documents carefully.

If Sebastian truly wanted to scheme against her, he wouldn't use such clumsy methods.

Her phone vibrated again—

Sebastian: [Happy New Year's Eve. Hope your wishes come true next year.]

Sophia placed her phone face down on the bed.

His wishes had nothing to do with her.

"Clara, the dumplings are ready. Come eat—"

Isabella Sullivan called for her from downstairs.

She answered and went down.

At eight, the New Year's Gala began.

Sophia ate dumplings, sitting on the sofa with her parents, watching the show.

Her mother occasionally fed her a cherry.

Warmth overflowed.

At midnight, the countdown began.

Fireworks bloomed outside the window, dazzling and brilliant.

In the yard, David Sullivan prepared to set off firecrackers.

Isabella covered her ears, urging, "Be careful…"

The crackle of firecrackers erupted, heralding a smooth new year.

Sophia watched her parents. Her phone suddenly vibrated.

An unknown number. Area code: Kyoto.

She answered.

"Happy New Year."

A deep, mellow voice came through.

Sophia's lips curved into a smile as she watched the fireworks in the night sky. "Happy New Year, Professor Laurent."

…

Alexander Laurent guessed from Olivia's words that Sophia had returned to her hometown.

After the family dinner, he returned to his study to calculate data.

His pen paused. His gaze fell on his phone.

He dialed that familiar number.

The number they exchanged during their first meeting.

He had never initiated a call before.

The dial tone rang. His heartbeat quickened slightly.

The call connected. He blurted out, "Happy New Year—"

A soft response came from the other end, carrying a faint hint of laughter.

Alexander imagined her smiling face.

Fireworks illuminating her profile.

It must be beautiful.

…

On the first day of the new year, Sophia slept until eleven.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains.

She opened her eyes. Tree shadows swayed outside the window.

The sky had cleared.

She pulled open the curtains. Distant snow reflected the sunlight.

David and Isabella were basking in the sun in the yard.

Hearing the window open, David picked up his teacup. "Your mother spoils you. Sleeping this late. What about your stomach?"

Isabella stuffed a piece of orange into his mouth. "It's the new year. Stop nagging."

She looked toward the window. "There's breakfast on the table. Just heat it up."

Sophia smiled and replied, "Got it."

The sunlight was perfect. She joined them for tea.

"Dad, this tea is fragrant."

A light jujube aroma, sweet and mellow.

"Aged white tea. A gift from Ryan." David took a sip. "Quite good."

Ryan Sullivan, her cousin.

"You never liked tea before."

Sophia chuckled softly. "People change."

She once tried to replace alcohol with tea to help Ethan Roscente quit drinking.

He never quit, but she grew to love tea.

Isabella shot her husband a look and changed the subject. "The doctor told you to drink less tea. Yet here you are, drinking it every day."

David touched his nose and said nothing.

Before Sophia could finish laughing, Isabella turned to her. "A young lady shouldn't always stay cooped up at home. Go out for a walk."

Sophia was pushed out the door.

Standing at the alley entrance, she didn't know where to go.

She chose a quiet path.

Aimlessly, she wandered, stopping and going.

Without realizing it, she arrived at No. 2 High School.

Her former high school. The school where her father taught.