Chapter 134
Sophia Sullivan's eyes stung.
She understood Eleanor Watson's choice.
Scientific research was the most important thing in Eleanor's life.
She didn't care how long she lived.
She only cared about how far she could go in her field.
Even if it consumed her life.
Even if the path ahead was difficult.
She was willing to immerse herself in the long river of science.
To become a foundation for future generations.
To light the way forward.
"Why are your eyes red again?"
Eleanor hated emotional scenes.
Sophia rubbed her nose. "I'm not crying. I wouldn't cry."
"Alright, you're not crying." Eleanor shook her head with a smile.
"Let me give you a massage."
Sophia stopped trying to persuade her.
She sat down and gently pressed Eleanor's calves.
Soon, Eleanor felt much more relaxed.
"Your rheumatism is worse because of the erratic weather. I ordered medicinal packs. The delivery should arrive soon. Remember to soak your feet daily."
"I know."
Eleanor pointed to the desk. "Take that number."
"?"
"Do you remember Benjamin Murphy?"
Sophia exclaimed, "Professor Murphy?!"
"Yes. He found out you're back for grad school. He's angry I didn't tell him. I can't calm him down. You call and soothe him. He listens to you."
Sophia fell silent. Professor Murphy's temper... How could she possibly calm him down?
Bioinformatics required using computers to process biological data.
It demanded high proficiency in information science.
Programming was frequently used.
That's why, back when Ethan Roscente was kicked out and they lived in a basement, Sophia could write programs to help him earn his first startup capital.
During her undergraduate years, Eleanor had arranged a computer science mentor for her—Benjamin Murphy.
After ensuring Professor Watson soaked her feet, took medicine, and making her a meal, Sophia finally went home.
At home, she took out the slip of paper and dialed.
First call: hung up.
Second call: same.
Third call: finally answered.
"Hmph! Who is this?" An old man's voice, full of pride.
Sophia couldn't help but laugh. That "hmph" gave everything away.
She deliberately said, "Sorry, wrong number. Goodbye—"
"Sophia Sullivan!" he immediately broke character.
"Professor Murphy..."
"Don't you dare hang up!"
"...I wouldn't. I'm sorry."
"You came back and only went to see Eleanor? Am I not your mentor? Why didn't you apply for my program for grad school?"
"Professor Murphy, my undergrad was in bioinformatics..."
"So what? You have talent in computing too. What's wrong with changing fields? Isn't it allowed?"
"...It's allowed."
"Hmph!"
After finally coaxing the old man, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief.
He suddenly asked, "Have you forgotten everything I taught you all these years?"
"Absolutely not."
"Words aren't enough. I need proof."
Sophia: "?"
The old man kept her coding all night.
As dawn approached, Benjamin said, "Ahem! That's enough for today. I've got this semester's test questions and answers now. Good."
Sophia: "??" Doesn't your conscience hurt?
She dozed for an hour. When she opened her eyes, it was already 8 AM. She hurriedly got ready and rushed to the lab.
Alexander Laurent was surprised to see her half an hour late, looking displeased. "Didn't sleep well?"
Sophia shook her head. "Not 'didn't sleep well.' Didn't sleep at all."
Alexander raised an eyebrow but didn't ask further.
Sophia patted her cheeks, forcing herself to focus.
Time to work!
After lunch, Sophia was yawning incessantly.
Noticing this, Alexander said, "Don't push yourself too hard. Go nap in the lounge?"
Too exhausted to refuse, Sophia agreed.
Alexander continued working. Two hours later, passing the lounge, he remembered Sophia was inside. He knocked first. No response. "...Sophia? Are you okay? I'm coming in?"
Worried something was wrong, he gently pushed the door open. The girl was curled up in a ball, breathing evenly, just sleeping very soundly.
He breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile.
Just like a little kitten.
Quiet and beautiful.
...
Isabella Langley stayed in the hospital for two days and couldn't stand it anymore, demanding to be discharged.
The nanny couldn't make the decision. She called Ethan Roscente, but he hung up immediately.
She had to call Victoria Roscente.
Victoria launched into another tirade over the phone. "...Don't think being pregnant lets you do whatever you want. If you want to die, keep acting up. You'd better pray nothing happens to that baby, or you'll regret it!"
Isabella listened, gritting her teeth, not daring to talk back.
Finally, Victoria agreed to the discharge but warned, "This is the last time. Take good care of that stomach!"
Returning to the Beverly Hills mansion, the staff had just enjoyed two peaceful days. The plague was back.
They wanted to cry!
Especially Martha!
When Isabella walked in, Martha jolted awake from her small bed in the storage room, looking utterly defeated. "I just fell asleep!"
Isabella had barely arrived home when the family doctor arranged by Victoria showed up.
He strictly set a schedule and created a special diet. It was bland, nothing but bland.
She wanted to rebel but didn't even have the courage to make a phone call.
"I'm going out! Now!" she yelled at the servants, venting her frustration.
The driver was ready quickly. She got in the car, and two nannies followed.
"What are you doing?"
"Madam's orders. We are not to leave your side, Miss Langley. To ensure you and the baby's safety."
Isabella was going insane.
She had the driver stop at a mall entrance, rushed in, grabbing the most expensive items she saw, swiping Ethan's secondary card wildly.
She bought clothes and bags, things she usually couldn't afford or dare to buy.
She threw all the bags to the two nannies to carry. "Come on, aren't you supposed to stick close? Hurry up!"
The two nannies complained internally but resigned themselves to carrying the numerous bags and following.
At that moment, they just wanted to say: Martha, we feel your pain.
In the conference room, Ethan listened to the department manager's quarterly summary.
His phone on the table vibrated incessantly.
Everyone glanced at him, intentionally or not.
Ethan picked up his phone and scanned it. All spending alerts.