Chapter 247
This was Sophia Sullivan's revenge.
"Professor, are you done?"
Sophia's voice snapped Alexander Laurent back to reality.
He flinched and averted his gaze.
"Done."
"Thank you."
Alexander couldn't help but glance at her waist again.
It wasn't for any inappropriate reason.
It was just...
She was so thin.
Did she ever eat?
...
Ethan Roscente sat at his vanity.
From dawn till dusk.
And into the next day's first light.
He wasn't refusing to sleep.
He simply couldn't.
Memories flooded him like a relentless tide.
There were sweet moments from the past.
And moments where he was a complete jerk.
Only when the morning sun was fully bright did he finally break free from the memories.
8 AM.
Rush hour.
He changed his clothes.
Drove to the bakery on Westbrook Road.
A trip that usually took thirty minutes.
Took an hour today.
"One mango mille-feuille, please."
The clerk paused. "Whole cake or slices?"
"Whole."
"You're in luck. It just came out of the oven. Two minutes later and we'd be slicing it."
Ethan gave a slight nod.
The clerk boxed it up, making small talk. "Buying cake this early?"
"My ex-girlfriend liked it."
Seven words.
The clerk's mind instantly conjured a dramatic soap opera.
Ethan took the cake.
Turned and left.
The clerk watched his sports car drive away.
Tsk.
Even more like a TV drama.
...
Morning classes ended.
Hannah Morse and Marcus Lawrence headed to the lab.
Walking out of the lecture hall, Hannah smacked her lips. "So thirsty."
Marcus stayed silent.
Hannah continued, undeterred. "Let's grab a drink before the lab? My treat!"
Marcus was quiet.
"Don't want one."
"Marcus, you're such a buzzkill!"
"I can go with you."
"No! You have to pick something!"
"I'm on a fitness plan."
"Get zero-calorie sweetener!"
"It's all fake."
"Could you stop talking about weight? You're skinny, big deal!"
"Then why don't you lose weight?"
"Losing weight means no eating or drinking. No eating or drinking means no happiness. No happiness means death. So losing weight equals death. You think I dare?"
Marcus had no retort.
"So, are you drinking or not? If not, I won't invite you next time!"
Marcus sighed. "Let's go."
Hannah's eyes lit up. "You'll have something?"
"I'll have something."
Hannah grinned.
Her dimples showing.
She linked arms with Marcus and pulled him along.
Marcus tried to free his arm.
Hannah held on tighter. "Don't be shy! We're besties!"
Marcus: "..."
How was she so strong?
They had just exited the campus gates.
They saw Ethan get out of his sports car.
Holding the cake box.
Hannah was puzzled. "Why does he always park right at the school entrance?"
Marcus pondered. "Probably thinks it looks cool."
"Cool how?"
"Not sure."
"What kind of car does your family think is cool?"
"Lincoln."
"Mine likes Lexus."
So—
"Why is he driving a Porsche?"
They looked at each other.
Neither understood.
But...
Hannah swallowed. "That cake looks really good."
Marcus was speechless.
Ethan saw them.
He walked straight over. "Where's Sophia?"
Hannah answered honestly. "She took the day off."
"Why?"
"Don't know."
Hannah pulled Marcus away. "We have to go."
Ethan stood there.
In his tailored suit, holding a cartoon-decorated cake.
Amid the bustling crowd at the school gate.
He looked like a complete joke.
Perhaps.
This was Sophia Sullivan's revenge.
He let out a cold laugh.
Walked toward the trash can.
"Hey—"
Ethan turned.
Fiona Valentine smiled at him. "Throwing something away again?"
"None of your business."
"Flowers last time, cake this time. What's next?"
The man frowned.
Fiona continued, "I picked up the flowers last time. Put them in water bottles. Shared them with the dorm next door. They even bought me bubble tea."
Ethan was surprised. "You actually took them?"
"Of course. You're not asking for payment now, are you? You said you didn't want them."
Ethan was speechless.
"What a coincidence running into you again. How about giving me the cake?"
"Going to share it with others again?"
"Sure! It's too big for me alone. No fridge. If I share, maybe I'll get more bubble tea."
"Can't you afford your own bubble tea?"
"Bubble tea someone else buys always tastes better."
"Because it's free?"
"Mhmm." She nodded.
Ethan laughed.
Handed her the cake.
Fiona blinked.
"You don't want it?"
"Want it! Want it! Want it!" She took the cake.
Her smile was radiant.