Chapter 103
Sophia Sullivan had a plan.
She just needed to wait for the right moment.
Everything would proceed smoothly once the contract expired.
...
Early in the morning, Sophia prepared to go to the library.
She had just stepped out of her building when she ran into Alexander Laurent.
He had been busy with a new research project, pulling all-nighters, and was just returning from the lab.
"...Professor Laurent, good morning," Sophia greeted him with a smile.
"You can call me by my name in private," Alexander said gently.
"There's something I wanted to ask you. Do you remember the research project I mentioned before?"
Sophia nodded.
Of course she remembered.
That project aligned perfectly with her research interests.
It was a shame such a meticulously designed project had been abandoned midway.
Alexander asked, "Have you thought about it? Would you like to continue?"
Sophia didn't hesitate. "I want to continue. But I don't have access to a lab. I can't complete the data section..."
All conclusions required data support.
And data came from repeated experiments.
She lacked the necessary materials and equipment.
Alexander said, "You can use my lab."
He paused. "Free of charge."
His lab was newly established, but it had advanced equipment and was fully stocked.
"Really?" Sophia's eyes widened.
She couldn't believe such good fortune had fallen into her lap.
Alexander asked, "Do I look like I'm joking?"
She hesitated for only two seconds before nodding eagerly.
"That's wonderful! Thank you!"
The corners of Alexander's lips lifted, his eyes smiling.
The lab was located on the eighth floor of the Maxwell Dworkin Building.
Lab resources at MIT were tight, with limited spots available for each research group.
But Alexander's lab was special.
It was a direct collaboration with a corporation, funded entirely by the company.
The university only provided the space, while the academic成果 belonged to the school.
This directly impacted the university's rankings.
Financial independence, combined with academic advantages, meant Alexander's lab occupied an entire floor with first-rate facilities.
Many research groups had requested to use it, but were all refused.
Some professors even offered to pay to share the space, but he firmly declined.
Now, he was inviting Sophia to use it for free.
Sophia was unaware she was receiving special treatment.
She simply thought Professor Laurent was a very kind man.
...
On her first day at the lab, Sophia arrived promptly at eight.
Alexander came to greet her personally.
"Good morning."
Sophia smiled. "You're even earlier."
He had been sleeping at the lab for the past few days.
The break room was equipped with a shower.
Alexander's shirt was crisp and clean. Though he looked tired, his eyes were clear and alert, with no hint of dishevelment.
"I brought you breakfast."
Crab roe buns and soy milk.
Offering his lab for free and personally greeting her made her breakfast gift seem insignificant.
But it was the thought that counted.
Alexander didn't mind these things.
He took it with a smile. "Thank you."
...
At eight-twenty, Alexander took Sophia to change into a lab coat and register her fingerprint and iris scan.
After this, she could come and go freely.
The metal doors slid open to both sides.
Sophia followed him inside, looking around curiously.
Alexander said, "Lab hours are flexible. No need to clock in. Just come whenever you have time."
Sophia needed to study Professor Watson's thesis materials, keep up with the latest research, and now she had this new project. She was very busy.
But Alexander believed she could manage her time well.
He explained the lab rules and precautions in detail.
Different labs had different requirements. Sophia listened carefully and took notes.
"...Currently, only my research group uses this lab. Besides me, there are four other members. I'll introduce you when I get the chance..."
Before he could finish, a bespectacled middle-aged man emerged from the break room.
He was tall and muscular, like a sturdy black bear.
He held a thermos cup with goji berries floating in it, steam rising.
"Oh? Alex, a new member?" The man's gaze fell on Sophia, curious but restrained.
Polite and measured.
Alexander said, "This is Quincy Evans, a colleague and member of my group. He teaches Fundamental Physics at MIT."
"Hello." The man smiled warmly and extended his hand. His square face gave him a honest, good-natured appearance, as if 'reliable' was written all over him.
Sophia was slightly surprised, then shook his hand. "Professor Evans, hello. I'm Sophia Sullivan. I'm Professor Laurent's..."
She hesitated.
"Friend."
Quincy raised an eyebrow, glanced at Alexander, then back at Sophia.
He had never seen Alex bring a 'friend' to the lab before...
"Don't be nervous. Just call me Quincy. We don't stand on ceremony here. We're all friends, haha..."
Sophia still addressed him politely. "Professor Evans."
By nine, the other three members had arrived.
Zoe Langley arrived first, wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers—a casual outfit.
Sophia thought she was around her own age, but learned through conversation that Zoe was 38, with a son in elementary school.
After getting her PhD, Zoe stayed on at the university. She originally researched Applied Physics as a postdoctoral fellow before joining Alexander's group.
Her life revolved around three points: family, school, and the lab.
Her only hobby was watching shows on her tablet while waiting for data.
A few days ago, her son had a fever. She went home to care for him for two days before rushing back.
Simon Lowell arrived next, yawning as he entered.
He had been modifying data and needed assistance from a computational experimental group downstairs. He spent two days there and had just returned with the results.
His own lab was still the best.
The environment downstairs was poor, with shared restrooms and unpleasant odors.
He paused upon entering. "Oh, a new member?"
The man was in his early thirties, about 180cm tall, with handsome features. His eyes showed a flash of admiration upon seeing Sophia. He extended his hand. "Hello, Simon Lowell. Welcome aboard. Everyone in the group is easy to get along with. Feel free to ask if you have any questions."
Sophia shook his hand warmly. "Thank you."
The sound of high heels announced the arrival of the final member.