Chapter 314
The streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow.
Sophia Sullivan walked side by side with the two men.
A cold wind howled, their breath forming white puffs that vanished instantly.
"Clara, want some bubble tea? My treat." Ryan Sullivan offered with a bright smile.
Sophia was about to answer.
A young man suddenly stopped right in front of her.
All three of them froze.
Like magic, the boy produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back.
"Hi! I'm a third-year grad student at Stanford... I've noticed you for a while... these are for you..."
His cheeks flushed, his voice trembled.
"Could we exchange numbers? It was love at first sight..."
Sophia hadn't expected to get confessed to off-campus.
So this was why she hadn't run into Ethan Roscente or Fiona Valentine tonight.
Ryan's first instinct was to look at Sebastian Evans.
Sure enough, his expression was frighteningly dark.
His sister was too popular. Even a simple dinner out led to a confession.
Interesting.
Sophia looked at the roses and spoke softly. "The flowers are beautiful..."
The boy's eyes lit up. "Then you'll accept—"
"But I can't."
"Why not?"
"We're strangers. I can't accept gifts for no reason."
"You don't need a reason. I just wanted to give them to you."
"Roses symbolize love. Accepting them would send the wrong message."
"I'm not asking you to agree to anything right now..."
"But the ultimate goal is the same, isn't it?"
The boy was speechless.
He still refused to give up. "Can I at least get your WeChat?"
"No—" Sebastian stepped forward, pulling Sophia firmly into his arms.
The boy stared. "Who are you?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it obvious? I'm her boyfriend."
"What?!" The boy's eyes widened.
"Surprised?" Sebastian's lips curved. "Or do I not look the part?"
The boy's gaze darted between them.
Seeing Sophia offer no denial, he instantly deflated.
"I asked around... They said you didn't have a boyfriend..."
"Just started dating. Your intel is outdated, pal." Sebastian chuckled lightly.
The boy's face burned crimson. He muttered "Sorry" and fled.
He didn't even stop to pick up the roses he'd dropped.
Ryan watched him go, shaking his head with a sigh.
"Poor guy... Mustered all his courage to confess, and this happens..."
Sebastian shot him a glance. "Speaking from experience? Been rejected too?"
Ryan bristled. "Nonsense! I've never even confessed!"
"Oh, so you were about to, but found out she was already taken."
"!"
Sophia frowned. "Sebastian, you can let go now."
Not only did he not release her, he held her tighter.
He could feel the bones of her slender shoulders even through her down jacket.
A faint, sweet scent drifted into his nostrils.
Sebastian's body stiffened slightly.
Sophia twisted away deftly, breaking free from his arm.
Sebastian quickly reached out to grab her.
One dodged, the other pursued.
Sophia was annoyed. "Sebastian! Will you stop!"
A smile finally reached the man's eyes. "Finally not calling me 'Mr. Evans'."
"..."
As they tussled, Alexander Laurent stood under a streetlight not far away.
He held a paper bag.
Half his face was hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable.
"Professor?" Sophia noticed him first.
Alexander walked over slowly, his gaze sweeping over the man's scarf around her neck.
It wasn't Ryan's.
Sebastian wore an overcoat and suit—no scarf.
"Professor Laurent!" Ryan greeted with a smile. "What a coincidence!"
"Not a coincidence. I came specifically."
Alexander took a scarf from the paper bag and stepped forward, replacing the man's scarf around Sophia.
He carefully wrapped it for her.
"Met your classmate at the campus gate. Brought it along since it was on my way."
"Thank you, Professor!" Sophia snuggled into her own scarf, warmth spreading.
Her own was always the most comfortable.
Alexander offered a faint smile. "It was nothing."
Sebastian took back his scarf, leisurely retying it around his own neck.
"Delivering a scarf. Such a trivial matter required a personal trip, Professor Laurent?"
Alexander's expression remained neutral. "I said it was on my way."
He turned to Sophia. "I'm heading home. Coming?"
"Sure! Ryan, I'm heading off!"
"...Be careful on the road."
The two walked away side by side.
Sophia asked quietly, "Professor, what brought you to Stanford?"
Alexander replied, "Had some matters to discuss with Professor Feng."
"This late?"
"...He's a night owl."
"I see..."
Their conversation faded into the distance.
Sebastian stood rooted to the spot, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Ryan finally caught on. "Sophia and Professor Laurent... going home together? What's going on?!"
Sebastian snorted coldly. "Took you long enough."
"I..."
"You didn't even notice your sister getting whisked away! Be more alert!"
With that, he turned and walked off, his scarf fluttering in the wind.
Cold and intimidating.
Ryan: "?"
"Explain yourself! Who's whisking my sister away? I think you're the one trying to—"
One, two, three of them!
Heh... my sister's something else.