Chapter 15: Chapter 15
890 words<html><head></head><body><p>Assistant Moore dropped Sophia Sullivan off at the entrance of her residential complex.</p> <p>She thanked him softly and stepped out of the car.</p> <p>Instead of going straight home, she turned towards the nearby grocery store.</p> <p>Twenty minutes later, she walked towards her building, carrying two full bags of ingredients.</p> <p>The setting sun cast long shadows.</p> <p>A tall figure approached, bathed in the evening glow.</p> <p>Alexander Laurent wore a light grey trench coat, his steps measured.</p> <p>His gaze behind the gold-rimmed glasses was focused and clear.</p> <p>"Professor Laurent," Sophia spoke first.</p> <p>He looked up at the sound of her voice and gave a slight nod. "What a coincidence."</p> <p>"I just bought some groceries. Would you like to join me for dinner?"</p> <p>Alexander initially intended to decline, but then he remembered her clear broth noodles.</p> <p>The memory on his tongue made him nod.</p> <p>This was Alexander Laurent's first time entering her rented apartment.</p> <p>Tulips bloomed vibrantly on the balcony. Two red carp swam leisurely in the fish tank.</p> <p>The white sheer curtains fluttered gently in the evening breeze. The cherrywood dining table gleamed with a warm luster.</p> <p>The entire space was tidy and cozy.</p> <p>Graduate entrance exam practice problems were spread across the glass coffee table. He glanced at them.</p> <p>The multiple-choice questions were almost all correct.</p> <p>"Would you like something to drink?" Sophia asked.</p> <p>"Warm water is fine."</p> <p>She handed him a glass. The water temperature was perfect.</p> <p>"Thank you."</p> <p>"Let's have hot pot tonight. I bought fresh beef."</p> <p>She took vegetables and handmade meatballs out of the bags.</p> <p>"This question is wrong." Alexander suddenly pointed to the test paper.</p> <p>Sophia followed his gaze. "This question involves biophysics. I don't quite understand the dynamics part yet."</p> <p>"The choice of potential directly affects the molecular trajectory," he stated concisely.</p> <p>Sophia paused, then her eyes lit up. "I see!"</p> <p>Alexander was slightly surprised. "You understood that?"</p> <p>"Most of it," she answered honestly. "I saw your research notes in the library."</p> <p>"Those are old notes from my undergraduate days," he said, clearing his throat lightly. "They contain many errors and omissions."</p> <p>Sophia couldn't help but smile.</p> <p>Quite a few, indeed.</p> <p>"You're very bright. The entrance exam shouldn't be difficult for you."</p> <p>Her eyes curved into a smile. "Thank you for the kind words, Professor."</p> <p>...</p> <p>The lights were just coming on outside the SKP mall.</p> <p>Ethan Roscente walked ahead, carrying a jewelry bag. Charlie Lowell followed behind.</p> <p>He carried jewelry worth nearly seven figures casually in his hand, the paper bag swinging.</p> <p>Charlie watched with trepidation.</p> <p>The store clearly offered secure delivery, but Ethan insisted on carrying it himself.</p> <p>Unfortunately, they hadn't run into the person he hoped to see.</p> <p>"Shall we get dinner first?" Charlie suggested.</p> <p>Ethan gave a noncommittal grunt.</p> <p>Charlie chose a well-known Cantonese restaurant.</p> <p>The private room on the second floor had an open view and an elegant atmosphere.</p> <p>The server presented the menu. There was a wide variety of Cantonese dishes, especially soups.</p> <p>Charlie was overwhelmed by the choices.</p> <p>"I heard this place is very authentic. Anything you feel like having, Ethan?"</p> <p>"Whatever." Ethan fiddled with his lighter, distracted.</p> <p>The image of Sophia Sullivan brushing past him indifferently kept replaying in his mind.</p> <p>She dared to pretend not to know him.</p> <p>Since she moved out of Olivia's place, why hadn't she come back?</p> <p>How long was she going to keep this up?</p> <p>He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.</p> <p>Charlie ordered purple basil duck, sweet and sour pork, and a seafood dish.</p> <p>The dishes arrived one after another, filling the air with aroma.</p> <p>Charlie, starving, dug in enthusiastically.</p> <p>He looked up to see Ethan picking at his food listlessly, pushing grains of rice around.</p> <p>"Sophia might still be angry. She'll come around in a while."</p> <p>Charlie hesitated. "You did break up with her on the spot that day. It was humiliating. Just give her some time to cool off, then smooth things over."</p> <p>Ethan's face was cold. "Who's thinking about her? Mind your own business."</p> <p>"...Okay." Charlie inwardly rolled his eyes.</p> <p>Ethan's phone vibrated suddenly.</p> <p>He opened the message. A photo popped up.</p> <p>In the blurry pixels, a woman stood sideways. A man was reaching out as if to touch her face.</p> <p>He instantly recognized Sophia Sullivan and Daniel Anderson.</p> <p>Ethan's eyes turned icy.</p> <p>Charlie's heart sank. "What's wrong?"</p> <p>The phone was slammed onto the table.</p> <p>"This is what you call 'coming around'? Her audacity knows no bounds!"</p> <p>She dared to see Daniel Anderson again.</p> <p>Charlie glimpsed the photo and immediately felt a headache coming on.</p> <p>Daniel certainly knew how to seize an opportunity.</p> <p>"Her taste has certainly deteriorated since leaving me," Ethan sneered. "To think she'd settle for that."</p> <p>Did she think he cared?</p> <p>...</p> <p>Sophia was completely unaware of all this.</p> <p>Her life was filled with studying, simple and fulfilling.</p> <p>She traveled daily between her apartment and the library. In her spare time, she cooked for herself, occasionally sharing with neighbors working late.</p> <p>Though her material life wasn't as lavish as before, the air she breathed was free.</p> <p>"Sophia, are you studying?" Olivia Lopez called right on time.</p> <p>"Yes." She moved to a corner and lowered her voice.</p> <p>"It's Friday. Come out for dinner?"</p> <p>"But..."</p> <p>"No buts. Even a workhorse needs a break. You need balance."</p> <p>"Alright."</p> <p>They agreed to meet at a Japanese restaurant.</p> </body></html>