Chapter 123
Ethan's gaze swept over her.
A cold smirk tugged at his lips.
"Stomachache? You look perfectly fine to me."
Sophia felt uneasy under his scrutiny.
His eyes seemed to see right through her.
Her little act was completely transparent.
"When you're not home, I have no one to talk to..."
"It's so lonely."
Ethan cut her off sharply.
"If you're bored, go read a book."
"Aren't you a student? Don't you have classes? What about grad school?"
"If you're this free, go help Martha with her work."
Sophia was momentarily speechless.
Ethan's expression turned even colder.
He'd seen this cheap trick too many times.
He turned to leave.
A soft body suddenly pressed against his back from behind.
Arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
"Ethan, don't go."
"I've missed you so much."
"Even if you hate me, think of the baby..."
Ethan violently shook off her hands.
His eyes filled with disgust.
"Get away from me!"
"Don't use the child as an excuse."
"I told you to get an abortion, but you went behind my back and contacted my mother."
"We still have that score to settle!"
Sophia's eyes darted away.
"I'm sorry, I just..."
"Behave yourself, or I'll throw you out right now!"
He turned and went upstairs.
His retreating figure was resolute.
Sophia clenched her jaw.
She took a deep breath.
Telling herself she had to endure this.
Marrying Ethan was her only way out.
She had already sacrificed too much.
She couldn't lose now.
She couldn't afford to lose.
Three seconds later, she was calm again.
She remembered Ethan liked oatmeal porridge.
She had smelled alcohol on him earlier.
He must have drunk a lot last night.
This was her chance.
Master Bedroom—
Ethan drank the hangover remedy.
He still felt terrible.
He soon fell asleep again.
When he woke up, it was already 2 PM.
A sharp pain twisted in his stomach.
He went downstairs irritably.
"Martha, is there anything to eat?"
No one answered.
He called out again, more impatiently.
"Martha—"
"Ethan, you drank last night."
"I made some oatmeal porridge, have some..."
Sophia hurried out obsequiously with the bowl.
Before she could finish, he knocked the bowl from her hands.
"Ah—"
She cried out in shock.
The scalding porridge spilled onto the carpet.
A few drops splashed onto her hand.
"Who told you to take matters into your own hands?"
Ethan's gaze was icy.
Full of mockery.
Sophia lowered her head,sad.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I was just worried about you."
"Your stomach was hurting..."
She exposed her pale neck.
Looking pitiful and delicate.
Ethan remained completely unmoved.
"Stop with the pathetic act!"
"Your acting skill is terrible."
"If you want to play the victim, at least do it convincingly."
"I provide for you, not so you can play games with me!"
"That's not it, I love you—"
A fierce darkness swirled in Ethan's eyes.
The sound of her voice alone annoyed him.
He kicked the broken bowl aside.
It shattered with a loud crack.
Sophia trembled in fear.
"Stop fucking pretending in front of me!"
"Get back to your room in three seconds!"
He pointed upstairs.
His expression was terrifying.
Sophia didn't dare stay any longer.
She scurried upstairs, shaking.
...
After that meal.
Sophia Sullivan grew closer to everyone.
It was largely thanks to her cooking skills.
Now she made extra food every day.
So others could easily share.
Zoe Langley and the others returned the favor.
Often helping her with experimental questions.
The biggest change was in Quincy Evans.
Ever since Sophia Sullivan learned his mental math techniques.
The way he looked at her changed.
He often pulled her aside to discuss calculation problems.
Sophia learned quickly.
She could soon apply the concepts fluently.
Quincy became even more enthusiastic.
He practically treated her as his protégé.
The two discussed whenever they had free time.
Always surrounded by scratch paper and pens.
"Quincy, taking on a disciple?"
"Professor Evans, I want the same treatment!" Simon Lowell raised his hand jokingly.
Quincy waved him away.
"Go away, work on your report."
Everyone laughed.
Sophia Sullivan also smiled slightly.
She didn't even hear Alexander Laurent calling her.
"Sophia? Sophia Sullivan?"
"...Huh? Professor Laurent, you called me?"
"Yes, come here for a moment."
"Okay."
...
The next day, Quincy couldn't smile anymore.
Zoe saw his troubled expression.
"What's wrong, Quincy? Did the boss say something?"
Quincy smiled bitterly.
He patted the stack of materials beside him.
"Said I had too much free time, gave me a new project."
"Won't have time to discuss mental math with Sophia anymore."
Sophia Sullivan was smart and learned quickly.
No teacher would dislike that.
But the new project was more important.
He had to prioritize work.
Zoe patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"This project needs you specifically, good luck!"
Quincy let out a long sigh.
It couldn't be helped.
...
Another Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye.
Finally, time to rest.
Sophia Sullivan had just gotten home.
She hadn't sat for long when she got a call from Olivia Lopez.
"Clara, my cousin is getting married."
"Mom wants me to go gift shopping with her."
"But I'm swamped with this new project."
"You have great taste, could you go with my mom?"
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'm free, but will your mom be okay with it?"
"She'd love it!"
"Says my taste is out of sync with hers."
"Loves your aesthetic sense."
"Wishes she could adopt you as her daughter."
"Sure." Sophia Sullivan agreed with a laugh.
...
Alexander Laurent had worked through the entire night.
The sky was already bright when he got home.
He had caught a cold from the changing seasons.
His head was throbbing badly.
He only came back to rest because he couldn't take it anymore.
He took out his keys to open the door.
Suddenly, the door across from his also opened.