Chapter 104
A pair of long legs entered her field of vision first.
A camel coat paired with a white knit sweater.
Tall boots hugged slender ankles.
She carried an elephant gray Hermès Picotin Lock Bag.
Every detail exuded refinement.
Lillian Lopez's eyes lit up when she saw Alexander Laurent.
Good morning, Professor Laurent.
Morning. Alexander gave a slight nod.
Lillian, this is our new team member, Sophia Sullivan. Simon Lowell introduced her.
She's two years younger than you.
Lillian finally noticed the extra person in the lab.
Her smile vanished instantly.
Before Sophia arrived, she was the youngest in the group.
Everyone doted on her.
She had the credentials to be spoiled.
A Columbia University master's graduate.
Currently a Ph.D. candidate at MIT.
Her academic credentials were impressive.
Her ability to join Alexander Laurent's research team spoke volumes about her talent.
Sophia extended her hand in greeting.
Lillian raised an eyebrow.
Her fingertips barely brushed Sophia's before pulling away.
The dismissive attitude was obvious.
Sophia sensed the underlying hostility.
Zoe Langley's gaze shifted between the two women.
She remained silent.
Alexander corrected them.
Sophia is not an official team member.
She has her own independent research project.
She is just borrowing lab space.
Borrowing space?
Simon looked surprised.
Professor Laurent never lent out his lab.
He was making an exception?
Zoe and Quincy Evans exchanged a look.
Lillian frowned deeply.
…
Alexander led Sophia to a separate lab bench.
This will be your station from now on.
Request anything you need directly.
Or write it on the blackboard.
Logistics replenishes supplies daily.
Sophia nodded.
A blackboard was embedded in the upper left wall.
A chart for clocking in and notes.
Six blank spaces.
One of them already had her name written in it.
Lillian spoke up suddenly.
Which postdoctoral fellowship are you at, Sophia?
Sophia answered frankly.
I'm just starting my first year of graduate school in September.
You just got into grad school?
Lillian couldn't hide her surprise.
An independent project right after undergrad?
And Professor Laurent made an exception for her?
What's her background?
The surname Sullivan…
Influential families in the area…
None of the major academic dynasties were named Sullivan.
What gave her the right?
Lillian wanted to press further.
Zoe grabbed her arm.
She shook her head slightly.
A silent warning to drop it.
That lab bench was empty anyway.
Professor Laurent had the right to decide who used it.
The lab was Alexander Laurent's personal domain.
They had no right to question his decisions.
Lillian lowered her eyes.
Alexander wore his lab coat.
His figure was tall and slender.
His profile looked gentle in the light.
But she knew that was an illusion.
Alexander's mind held only space for research.
Nothing else.
Lending lab space was a trivial matter.
He wouldn't pay it any mind.
Even if she asked.
Alexander might not even respond.
He brought her here.
He lent her the bench.
The others had no grounds to object.
…
Sophia didn't notice any of this.
She quickly got to work.
She re-planned her workflow based on early data.
Selected her controlled variables.
She was so focused she ignored the footsteps around her.
The lab was quiet.
Everyone was immersed in their work.
Occasional conversation murmured.
It soon faded back into silence.
Alexander broke the silence that afternoon.
It's been a while since we had a group dinner.
My treat tonight.
Zoe and Simon exchanged a glance.
This was unbelievable.
Workaholic Alexander Laurent was initiating a social gathering?
Was the sun rising in the west?
Their eyes swept over Sophia.
Her arrival was the only change today.
This Sophia Sullivan was not simple.
Zoe's husband was back from his business trip.
Someone could watch the kids.
She agreed readily.
Perfect for a welcome dinner for Sophia.
Quincy smiled and agreed.
Zoe's right.
We'll definitely come if you're buying.
Simon nodded excitedly.
A rare treat from Professor Laurent.
We can't miss it.
Lillian closed her laptop.
Her voice was cold.
I have data to process.
Working late.
I won't be going.
Sophia looked up.
A shadow fell over Lillian's pretty oval face.