Chapter 195
Sophia Sullivan and David Sullivan sat outside the coffee shop.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, they couldn't hear the conversation.
Isabella Sullivan's expression shifted from dazed to serious, then to apologetic.
Clearly, the talk was not going well.
Stone Macmillan had already stood up, ready to leave.
Isabella suddenly looked up and said something.
Stone's entire demeanor brightened.
He sat back down.
The two continued their discussion.
This time, Isabella was clearly speaking more.
Her previously wooden expression regained its spark.
When it ended, Stone extended his hand again.
"Professor Sullivan, I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
Isabella stood and shook his hand.
"Thank you. The conversation would have been much smoother if you had shown me the proofread manuscript from the start."
Stone shook his head.
"Words are sacred. They can tell stories, express emotions, and celebrate beauty. But they should not be used as a tool for moral coercion."
Isabella sighed softly.
"You are a good editor. I hope this time..."
She would not misjudge someone again.
On the way home, Sophia asked for her impression.
"Down-to-earth, sincere, genuine."
"Did you reach an agreement?"
"Yes. I had originally given up hope. But his sincerity made it hard to refuse. It can't get worse than now. We should give each other a chance."
After arriving home, Sophia looked over the contract.
She suddenly gasped.
Isabella looked over.
David immediately moved closer.
"Is there a trap?"
Sophia shook her head.
Not only was there no trap, the contract was quite equitable.
It even leaned in Isabella's favor.
Most importantly—
This contract was for the person, not the book.
Stone broke the convention of signing works, not people.
He had signed Isabella Sullivan.
Her parents only relaxed after everything was explained.
Sophia sent Stone's profile to Isabella.
It covered everything from basic info to signed works and hit IPs.
Isabella was stunned after reading it.
"...He's that impressive?"
Sophia only replied with four words.
"Top of the industry."
The next day, Isabella received the copyright payment.
David counted the digits.
"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands... Two million?!"
This was just the print royalty for four books.
There would be additional shares for reprints or derivative copyright sales.
Isabella hadn't expected Stone to move so fast.
It was as if he was afraid she would change her mind.
Sophia was also surprised.
"Mom, you're amazing?"
Isabella blushed.
"I didn't expect it either…"
She didn't think she was worth that much.
They had agreed on one million yesterday.
The amount had doubled.
Just then, Stone called.
"Professor Sullivan, did you receive the money?"
"...Yes. Why is the amount different?"
"One million is the print royalty. Another five hundred thousand is what I negotiated for. The remaining five hundred thousand is the adaptation share for 'The Lantern' short series."
"Short series adaptation? The copyright was sold before the book is even published?"
"Yes. This is your influence."
Isabella had never considered that she had influence.
She thought Stone was just being polite.
That night, Sophia's bank account received two million.
She stared at the balance notification, stunned.
She immediately threw off the covers and ran to her parents' bedroom.
"Mom, why did you transfer money to me?"
Isabella and David exchanged a look.
It was as if they had anticipated this reaction.
"Your father and I discussed it. You spent so much money on the villa. We couldn't help before. Now we can. It's not enough, but it can help a little."
"I don't need the money!"
"I know." Isabella's voice was warm and smiling. "It's not because you need money. The villa is for your father and me to live in. It's only right to share the cost when we have extra money."
"We're family. We don't need to split things so clearly."
"I agree with that. So why are you splitting it so clearly now?"
Checkmated, Sophia was speechless.
"But…"
"Enough." David cut her off. "Listen to your mother's arrangements. Would you refuse us if we needed money in the future?"
Sophia pressed her lips together.
"...No."
"Then it's settled. It's late. You have to catch the high-speed train tomorrow. Go to sleep."
"...I'll keep the money for now. Take it whenever you need it."
"Okay, go on."
Sophia turned and went back to her room.
Isabella sighed softly.
"That silly girl is definitely overthinking it."
David shook his head.
"I don't think Sophia cares about that money…"
He had an inkling his daughter controlled considerable funds.
He hadn't asked for the exact amount, but it was no less than eight figures.
Isabella said seriously, "No matter how much she has, it's hers. No matter how little we give, it's our intention. It's not about the amount. We didn't let our daughter live in a villa when she was young. Now we're benefiting by living in a nice house. That's not taken for granted."
David sighed.
"It's my fault…"
"You are useful."
"Honey…" David was suddenly moved.
"Without you, I couldn't have had a child alone. There would be no Sophia."
"?"
The next morning at nine.
Sophia took her parents to the high-speed train station.
She stood at the gate and watched them walk away.
She didn't leave until their figures were completely out of sight.
Back home, she ran into Alexander Laurent.
He was holding a stack of materials and about to knock.
"Professor." Sophia finished climbing the last step.
Alexander looked up.
"Is your father home?"
"My parents left today. Did you need something from him?"
"The paper he asked me to find last time. I printed it out." He patted the materials in his hand.
"Ah? They just left…"
"It's fine. I have the electronic version. I'll send it to you to forward to him later."
"Thank you, Professor! Sorry for the trouble!"
"Don't mention it. Your father… is a very interesting man."
Except for one thing—insisting on becoming sworn brothers.
With her parents gone, Sophia's life returned to its two-point routine.
She went between home and the library every day.
Time passed quickly.
Soon, it was September.
The day for graduate school orientation arrived…