Chapter 157
Sophia Sullivan suddenly remembered Zoe Langley's warning.
A pervert had been spotted near MIT.
He specifically targeted female students.
Especially at night.
Some girls had already been assaulted.
The police hadn't caught him yet.
Sophia's breath hitched.
She quickened her pace.
The footsteps behind her sped up too.
Her hand instinctively closed over her bag.
She often walked with Alexander Laurent.
But their busy schedules didn't always align.
Living alone, she always carried pepper spray.
She never thought she'd actually need it.
The footsteps closed in.
A shadow nearly fell over hers.
Sophia held her breath.
Her fingers found the cool canister.
She whirled around, spray ready—
"Sophia Sullivan!"
A familiar voice called out.
She looked up.
Sebastian Evans stood a few steps away, holding an umbrella.
One hand was in his pocket.
His gaze was sharp, fixed on something behind her.
The footsteps stopped abruptly.
The man hesitated for a second.
Then he turned and fled in panic.
Sebastian strode forward.
His stern expression softened instantly. "Are you okay?"
Sophia let out a long, shaky breath.
Only then did she realize her back was soaked with cold sweat.
Her limbs felt weak.
Sebastian steadied her with a light touch.
He pulled out his phone and made a call. "A-Chao, there's a creep following girls near the campus... Yeah, let me know immediately if you find anything."
Sophia was still trembling.
She couldn't speak.
Sebastian raised a hand as if to pull her close.
But he let it drop.
"Are you alright?"
If Charlie Lowell were here, he'd be shocked.
Sebastian Evans, being this gentle?
Sophia shook her head lightly. "I'm fine... Thank you."
Noticing her clothes were drenched, Sebastian took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Come on, I'll walk you home."
Sophia didn't refuse.
She pulled the jacket tighter.
The black suit jacket held his residual warmth.
A faint scent of mint lingered around it.
Sebastian shared his umbrella with her.
He slowed his pace.
They walked in silence.
Sophia gradually calmed down.
"What are you doing here?"
"It's late. It wasn't safe for you to walk back from the lab alone."
"Were you waiting for two or three hours?"
"Mhm," he raised an eyebrow. "Turns out my wait wasn't in vain."
He chuckled softly. "No wait, no heroic rescue. Fair's fair. You reap what you sow."
Sophia couldn't help but laugh.
She was lucky he was here today.
"Thank you." She meant it.
Sebastian: "Always with the thank you. How about something else?"
"Like what?"
"Like 'You're so handsome,' 'I'm crazy about you,' 'Let's give dating a try,' 'Be my girlfriend'..."
"You're getting more and more ridiculous." Sophia laughed.
"I'm a man of action."
"Just keep dreaming."
Sebastian acted like he didn't hear. "Think it, then do it."
"It might not work out." She poured cold water on his idea.
"At least I tried. No regrets. What if it does work?"
Sophia fell silent.
They reached her staircase.
Sebastian stopped. "Go on up."
"Thank you."
"Call me if you need anything. I'll be there."
"Okay."
"Such a perfunctory answer. You're probably thinking: 'I'll agree now, but I won't actually call him if something happens.'"
The corner of Sophia's mouth twitched.
"I know you're independent. But when you need help, I hope you'll think of me. I don't need to be your first choice, but can I at least make the list?"
Sophia smiled. "Okay."
"Go on."
He watched her climb the stairs.
He waited until her light turned on.
Then he turned and left.
...
Isabella Langley had been resting at the Beverly Hills mansion for half a month.
Her pregnancy had stabilized.
She had servants to attend to her.
Ethan Roscente never came home.
No one insulted or humiliated her.
Life was comfortable.
After the morning sickness passed.
Her complexion became rosy.
She even gained five pounds.
Victoria Roscente worked like a slave.
She also had to endure Isabella's antics.
She hadn't lost weight.
But she looked haggard.
Her hair was falling out.
She couldn't sleep at night.
Isabella summoned her on a whim.
No matter if it was the middle of the night or early morning.
Victoria had to come running.
This happened so often.
That Victoria developed neurasthenia.
She often woke up from nightmares.
And couldn't sleep the whole night.
Isabella ate and slept well.
She shopped and swiped her card without restraint.
Victoria was annoyed.
She finally left Isabella at the mall.
And returned to the mansion alone.
Isabella came back to find Victoria sprawled on the sofa eating watermelon.
She immediately sneered. "You left me alone at the mall while you enjoy yourself? Some grandmother you are! What if something happened to me? You don't care about me, but what about your grandson?"
Victoria hadn't even swallowed her watermelon.
She was speechless. "The mall is full of security, and Martha was with you. What could happen? Paranoia much?"
"I'm doing this for my grandson, not for you. You want me to be at your beck and call 24/7? You're not worth it."
She finished with a contemptuous snort and an eye roll.
She couldn't be bothered to deal with her.
Isabella was furious.
She gritted her teeth.
Then she suddenly relaxed.
She lazily told the housekeeper to wash the cherries.
She prepared to go to the backyard to sunbathe.
"Oh, Martha, bring me my sunscreen."
The doorbell suddenly rang.