Chapter 178
She froze in place.
Alexander Laurent was actually in her house.
He was sitting on the living room sofa with David Sullivan.
A chessboard was set between them.
The game was in full swing.
David frowned deeply.
Alexander appeared completely at ease.
That familiar desk calendar notebook lay open beside him.
"Is that Sophia?" David looked up.
Alexander's gaze followed.
Amusement flickered in his eyes. "Surprised?"
Sophia changed her shoes and entered. "Professor, you didn't go to the lab today?"
David answered first. "We ran into each other in the elevator this morning after I bought groceries."
He had chatted with Alexander for a bit.
Unexpectedly, they found they had much in common.
He simply invited him home for a game of chess.
David sighed appreciatively. "Alexander even knows the intricacies of growing roses."
Alexander replied modestly, "Just a passing knowledge."
The conversation later turned to physics.
David mentioned several cutting-edge research topics.
Alexander was somewhat surprised.
These topics had only recently emerged.
Yet David discussed them with great familiarity.
He could even describe the specific experimental methods from a particular paper.
Alexander couldn't help asking, "Do you often read research papers?"
"A couple a day. It's a form of leisure for me."
Alexander opened the desk calendar notebook.
Sure enough, he found David's predictions from years ago.
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Dad, you understand this stuff?"
David waved a hand dismissively. "Just idle speculation."
Alexander said earnestly, "Your father is quite remarkable, Sophia."
Sophia looked at her father.
David cleared his throat softly. "That was so many years ago."
A thoughtful look crossed Alexander's eyes.
He finally understood where Sophia's talent came from.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
After Sophia returned, Alexander took his leave appropriately.
David saw him to the door.
He came back still praising him. "Alexander is truly impressive."
Isabella teased him gently. "How many times have you said that now?"
Sophia joked, "Dad, you were practically gazing at him with adoration."
David glared. "Nonsense! My heart belongs only to your mother!"
Sophia clutched her chest.
The sudden display of affection was unexpected.
The next day, the family of three visited The Louvre Museum.
Sophia had booked the tickets in advance.
Isabella changed into ornate royal robes for photos.
The photographer praised her repeatedly. "Your aura is absolutely perfect!"
The developed photos were indeed stunning.
That night, Sophia slept in her mother's room.
She fell into a deep sleep surrounded by the familiar scent.
She checked her email in the morning.
A reply from the journal requested additional references.
Sophia decided to go to the library.
"I'll be back by noon," she said.
The weather was clear when she left.
In less than two hours, the sky changed dramatically.
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
Isabella grew worried. "It's going to rain. Sophia didn't bring an umbrella."
David stood up immediately. "Let's go pick her up."
They ran into Alexander Laurent just as they stepped out.
"Going out, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan?"
"We're taking an umbrella to Sophia at the library."
Alexander glanced up at the sky.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
"The library's layout is complex. I can show you the way."
David declined politely. "We couldn't trouble you."
Alexander said naturally, "It's no trouble. I need to stop by the lab to pick up some materials anyway."
The three of them set off together.
Raindrops began to fall.