Chapter 326

Her smile gradually turned bitter, her vitality slowly faded.

It was only after leaving him that she rediscovered her purpose and regained her former brilliance.

Realizing he had ultimately lost this woman, the infatuation in Ethan's eyes was replaced by profound regret.

Fiona, observing the man's changing expressions, remained composed. She proactively linked her arm with his.

Ethan looked at her, puzzled.

Fiona smiled. "Since we came to offer congratulations and brought a gift, it's only polite to present it to the host personally."

With that, she led Ethan forward. "Sophia, congratulations! We weren't sure what you'd like. This gift is from both Ethan and me. We wish your lab abundant achievements and a fruitful harvest."

"Thank you." Not one to reject a friendly gesture, Sophia calmly accepted the gift. Her gaze remained fixed on Fiona, not sparing Ethan a single glance.

Ethan's hand, hanging at his side, clenched into a tight fist.

Caleb and Jude Granger seized the opportunity to step forward and offer their congratulations.

Caleb, clutching his item, wasn't as eloquent as Fiona. He awkwardly presented his gift. "Congratulations. These are sachets. Not valuable. My mother made them. They can refresh your mind and repel insects and mosquitoes."

There were three sachets in total.

Not just for Sophia; Hannah and Marcus each received one too.

As he handed them out, he was nervous, worried the gifts were too shabby. He couldn't afford anything expensive.

Unexpectedly, Sophia and her two friends showed no disdain. They actually liked them.

Hannah held hers, examining it curiously.

The sachets contained mugwort and other herbal spices. The initial scent was strong, but the refreshing effect was excellent.

After smelling it for a while, the fragrance mellowed, becoming rounded and harmonious.

It was amazing!

A simple herbal sachet even had top and base notes.

"Thank you, we all really like this gift," Sophia said, carefully examining the sachet. She noticed the embroidery on the outside was hand-stitched.

Hers featured a white cat, Hannah's a golden cicada, and Marcus's three stalks of wheat.

To express their thanks, Hannah personally poured a glass of water for Caleb. "I never properly thanked you for helping me pick up my things last time. Now we've received your gifts. Let me at least pour you a glass of water!"

Caleb waved his hands hurriedly, his cheeks flushing. "N-no need to be so polite. They're not valuable…"

"It's the thought that counts," Hannah said.

Caleb's face turned even redder.

To ease his embarrassment, he coughed lightly. "...Would it be possible to tour your lab?"

Marcus, having safely stored his sachet, stepped forward to lead the way. "I'll show you around."

"Thank you."

…

Marcus led the two men, explaining as they walked, occasionally demonstrating how to use the smart systems himself.

The expressions on Caleb and Jude's faces shifted from shock to utter disbelief.

A private, independent laboratory…

Just the name alone was thrilling.

The further they went, the more they saw, and the greater the excitement in their eyes became.

The lab benches were equipped with various precision instruments. The date labels indicated they were all updated within the last two years. Some, Caleb recognized, he had only ever seen in scientific journals.

If his memory served him correctly, a single one of those instruments cost at least a hundred thousand US dollars. And in this lab, with just a quick glance, he spotted three of them!

The lounge door swung open.

Sophia Sullivan's meticulously designed space was revealed.

Eight private suites stood in neat rows.

Each suite featured a comfortable bed and a spacious wardrobe.

Full-length mirrors and washbasins were fully equipped.

The common area was designed to be warm and practical.

The coffee station emitted a rich aroma.

Bookshelves were filled with various genres.

A swing gently swayed.

A ping pong table stood ready for use.

Pots and pans were neatly arranged in the small kitchen.

A smart system completely separated this area from the lab zone.

Jude Granger couldn't hold back his amazement. "Is this a lab? It feels like a resort!"

Marcus Lawrence smiled faintly. "Hannah said the same thing."

"And hot showers too? We can just stay overnight after pulling all-nighters for experiments. So convenient." Jude touched the doorframe, his eyes full of envy.

Caleb Watson also showed a longing expression.

Marcus noticed his look. "Sometimes resistance is easier than endurance. Many just don't dare to try."

Caleb was silent for a moment. "What if we fail?"

The corner of Marcus's mouth lifted slightly. "Nothing in this world is guaranteed. If you fail, just start over. As long as you're still here, there's nothing to fear."

Caleb fell into thought again.

Jude, completely oblivious to their conversation, looked around curiously.

...

The unveiling ceremony finally concluded.

After seeing off the last guest, the three of them could finally catch their breath.

Hannah Morse rubbed her calves complaining. "Standing for so long, my legs are about to give out."

Marcus collapsed onto the sofa. "Finally done."

Sophia Sullivan remained standing by the bookshelf. "Marcus, were the reporters all taken care of?"

Marcus sat up straight. "My grandmother personally handled it. She used to work in the press office and is very experienced with these matters."

"Good." Sophia nodded. "There's something else I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Seeing her serious expression, they both paid close attention.

Sophia lowered her voice. "Professor Eleanor Watson just told me our future academic achievements will be credited to the Boundless Lab, separate from the School."

"What does that mean?" Hannah's eyes widened.

Marcus understood immediately. "A complete separation from the School?"

Sophia nodded affirmatively. "You could put it that way."

Hannah frowned. "Would the School agree? They're not stupid."

"The Professor said she'll handle it. We just need to focus on our research."

"Amazing! So we're basically working for ourselves now!" Hannah happily stuffed a biscuit into her mouth.

So delicious.

"It would be perfect if we had some hot bubble tea right now..."

Before she finished speaking, Sophia's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Lytuan delivery. Please come out to get your bubble tea. I can't get in."

Sophia was stunned.

Bubble tea?

She didn't order any.

The delivery guy urged again, so she went to retrieve it.

Three cups of hot bubble tea, from their usual shop.

Hannah cheered. "Sophia, you're so thoughtful!"

Sophia shook her head. "It wasn't me."

Hannah paused. "Marcus, was it you?"

Marcus immediately denied it. "Not me."

"Then who was it?"

Alexander Laurent entered from outside just then. Seeing the bubble tea, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "The delivery arrived already?"

Hannah was surprised. "Professor, did you order this?"

Alexander nodded faintly. "I didn't know your preferences, so I ordered the same for everyone."

Hannah praised repeatedly. "It's delicious!"

Just then, Sophia's phone rang again.

"...Okay, coming right away."

Three minutes later, she came back in carrying another bag of bubble tea.

Hannah was dumbfounded. "Another three cups?"

Alexander shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

"Then who ordered these..."

"Did the bubble tea arrive?" Sebastian Evans walked in smiling, but his smile soon froze.

He noticed the cups in their hands weren't from his order.

His gaze swept over Alexander, finally landing on Sophia.

"Looks like I'm a step too late?"

The air suddenly grew quiet.

Hannah and Marcus exchanged glances.

Hannah: What's going on?

Marcus: No idea.

Hannah: Seems tense?

Marcus: Agreed.

"Great!" Hannah quickly tried to smooth things over. "Professor Laurent and Mr. Evans both ordered bubble tea. Thank you both!"

She took the bubble tea Sebastian ordered. "Perfect, I can have two cups!"

Marcus also picked up a cup. "Thank you, Mr. Evans."

Alexander looked at Sophia. "Sophia probably can't drink two cups, right?"

Two cups of bubble tea now sat in front of Sophia.

Sebastian smiled. "I ordered the hot kind."

Alexander replied casually. "What a coincidence. So did I."

Sebastian: "I chose Sophia's favorite flavor."

Alexander: "She won't dislike what I chose either."

Sebastian: "Low sugar, milk tea base swapped for a tea base. Healthier."

Alexander: "Another coincidence. I did the same."

They both looked at Sophia.

So—

Which one will she choose?