Chapter 106
"Sophia, what was your undergraduate major?"
"Bioinformatics."
"School of Life Sciences?" Zoe turned to Simon Lowell.
"You should know. Does that major have a combined program?"
All eyes, including Lillian Lopez's, focused on Simon.
Simon put down his chopsticks.
"Generally speaking, no…"
Lillian shot to her feet.
She glared coldly at Sophia Sullivan.
"Now what do you have to say for yourself?!"
Zoe noticed Simon's wording.
"What do you mean, 'generally speaking'? Are there exceptions?"
Simon nodded.
"Every year, the School of Life Sciences has one or two 'conditional admission slots' for gold medalists from the International Science Olympiad."
"What's a 'conditional admission slot'?"
"It means gold medalists can negotiate terms with the school. Things like scholarships, guaranteed grad school admission. The school will consider any request, but whether they agree is another matter."
Zoe pressed, "So a direct Ph.D. admission could be negotiated?"
Simon replied, "In principle, yes. But it's very difficult. In the last twenty years, the School of Life Sciences has only granted two direct Ph.D. admissions."
"One was for Caleb Watson, a student of Professor Victoria Lowell. The other was a female student of Professor Eleanor Watson. She won gold medals in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics—a grand slam. The school offered her a fast track, but she declined. She took the entrance exam instead and got in as the top science scorer that year."
"A student that exceptional, the school would agree to almost any condition she proposed."
The possibilities narrowed immediately.
Caleb Watson was male, so Sophia Sullivan could only be Professor Eleanor Watson's student…
But was that possible?
Four gold medals. Top science scorer. Combined Bachelor's to Ph.D. program. The school's favorite…
None of these identities seemed to fit Sophia Sullivan.
Lillian snorted lightly.
"Speechless now, I see?"
Sophia Sullivan truly had nothing to say, because she was rendered speechless.
Alexander Laurent set down his chopsticks.
He spoke calmly.
"Sophia Sullivan is Professor Eleanor Watson's student."
Silence fell over the table.
Simon swallowed hard.
"No way…" He looked at Sophia Sullivan.
"You're really that student of Professor Watson's?!"
Sophia Sullivan sighed.
"Do I need to call Professor Watson right now to verify?"
"No, no, no…" Simon waved his hands hurriedly.
"It's not that I don't believe you! I'm just shocked! I never thought the legendary prodigy was right here beside me…"
Zoe excitedly grabbed Sophia Sullivan's hand.
"Tell me, how did you get four gold medals? My kid complains non-stop just studying for one math Olympiad."
Sophia Sullivan looked slightly embarrassed.
"Well… you just do the problems. A lot of them. And get them all right."
Zoe was speechless.
Humblebrag! Such a humblebrag!
Quincy Evans hadn't expected such a big revelation over dinner.
"So you're the female student Professor Watson always mentions with 'lingering regret'! Who did you choose as your graduate advisor this year?"
Sophia Sullivan answered, "Professor Eleanor Watson."
Quincy clapped his hands together.
"The old lady will be over the moon!"
Lillian remained standing.
The smug look on her face had frozen into awkwardness.
Simon quickly offered her a way out.
"Lillian, sit down first. What would you like to eat? I'll get it for you. The vegetarian dishes are all on my side…"
"Thank you," Lillian said, sitting down.
Simon looked at Sophia Sullivan with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, Sophia. Lillian can be a bit… meticulous. But she means no harm. You'll understand once you get to know her better."
No harm?
Sophia Sullivan raised a delicate eyebrow.
She could only hope so.
Simon continued, "I apologize on her behalf. Please don't take it to heart."
"Who said you could apologize for me?!" Lillian stomped hard on his foot under the table.
Simon's face turned red with suppressed pain.
Zoe gave him a sympathetic glance.
Sophia Sullivan spoke evenly.
"I won't take it to heart."
Simon nodded, relieved.
"That's good. I'm curious, why did you give up the guaranteed admission and choose to take the entrance exam? You ended up at MIT anyway. Since the destination was the same, why not take the easier path?"
Sophia Sullivan thought for a moment.
"Maybe… because I spent three years in high school? Wanted to test my exam-taking ability?"
"That's it?"
"…Do I need another reason?"
Simon was speechless.
Alright then. She just took the exam for fun.
With the misunderstanding cleared, the atmosphere relaxed.
Everyone chatted and laughed as they ate.
Quincy noticed a slight upward curve on Alexander Laurent's lips.
Suddenly, he understood.
Alexander hadn't stepped in because he already knew Sophia Sullivan could handle it herself.
Lillian had no appetite.
Seeing everyone chatting happily with Sophia Sullivan, she pursed her lips tightly.
She was about to say something when Zoe subtly patted her hand.
"Alright, let's not talk about unpleasant things. Don't waste Simon's thoughtful gesture…"
Simon quickly placed two pieces of fish into Lillian's bowl.
"This is delicious. It won't make you gain weight, and I've picked out all the bones."
By the time they finished, it was dark outside.
Alexander checked the time.
"It's late. We all have work tomorrow. Time to head back."
Simon and Lillian were going the same way.
They had both drunk beer and couldn't drive.
Simon said, "I called a ride. It'll be here soon. I'll see Lillian home. Zoe, you—"
Zoe waved him off.
"Don't worry about me. My husband is picking me up."
Quincy said, "I live nearby. Just a ten-minute walk."
Alexander nodded.
"Good. Everyone message when you get home."
"Don't worry. Same as always, we'll check in." Quincy smiled.
A valet brought Alexander's car around—a black Volkswagen.
Alexander took the keys.
He looked naturally at Sophia Sullivan.
"Get in."
They lived close by, and Alexander often gave Sophia Sullivan a ride.
Sophia Sullivan was used to catching rides with him.
She opened the passenger door and got in.
The car pulled away and merged into the main road.
Those left behind stood stunned, as if they'd seen a ghost.