Chapter 269
Sophia Sullivan couldn't help but laugh at his exasperated expression.
"Take it, Uncle Alexander—my dad's braised beef is amazing. Most people never get to try it."
"What did you just call me?" He stepped closer, bracing an arm against the wall. "Hmm?"
Her back pressed against the wall as she looked up at him. "I was just quoting my dad. It's not like I chose to call you that."
"..."
"Professor, the hallway is narrow. Could you... step back a little?"
Alexander Laurent remembered he was still recovering from a cold. Not wanting to risk getting her sick, he sighed softly and withdrew his arm, moving aside.
Once again, Sophia was struck by how patient he seemed.
He accepted the container of beef.
She took the rest home and sent a photo to David Sullivan.
He replied instantly.
David Sullivan: [Did you give some to Alexander?]
Sophia Sullivan: [Yes! Dad, you treat him better than you treat me!]
He hadn't even told her to save more for herself.
David Sullivan skipped typing and sent a voice message. "Of course! That's how you treat a good friend! You share the good stuff!"
Sophia thought Alexander should hear that.
...She hadn't said anything wrong earlier, so why had he cornered her like that?
The memory of him blocking her path, his presence overwhelming, flashed through her mind.
His scent had enveloped her completely.
Her face grew warm.
Her heart began to race.
Back in high school, boys would sometimes get too close, and she'd always blush.
Before she met Ethan Roscente, any physical proximity to guys made her uncomfortable, even uneasy.
She thought dating would fix that, but...
It seemed she was regressing. The old reaction was back!
She dismissed it as a recurring issue, not delving deeper.
...
That afternoon, she invited Hannah Morse and Marcus Lawrence over.
"...to discuss the lab situation."
"Okay."
"On my way!"
They arrived quickly. Hannah wore fluffy slippers. Marcus was in loungewear.
Both had come straight from their homes.
"Sophia, do you have a plan?" Hannah asked eagerly the moment she stepped inside.
Marcus looked at her with equal anticipation.
Sophia handed them drinks and sat down, her expression serious.
"First, waiting months for the official process is unrealistic. Our research can't wait. The experiments definitely can't."
"Second, even if we wait, there's no guarantee we'll get the lab back. We might just face new problems."
"Professor Laurent previously invited us to use his space... I've thought it over. Borrowing a lab from another department means unsuitable equipment. Navigating their social dynamics would also drain our energy. If we want to leave after a couple of days, moving all the equipment again would be a huge hassle."
"Finally, borrowing isn't a long-term solution. Someone set us up this time. They're hidden, we're exposed.