Chapter 341
With Isabella's matters settled, Sophia Sullivan flew back to Kyoto.
Final exams were approaching, and classes had been suspended for revision week.
Though she had only been gone two days, her coursework was fine, but her experiments had fallen behind.
Hannah Morse and Marcus Lawrence were waiting for her to review their data. Sophia went straight to the lab from the airport.
She didn't leave for the next two days. Having her luggage with her was convenient.
After clearing the backlog of data, she remembered she still owed Ryan Sullivan and Sebastian Evans the final payment.
That evening, she called them to meet.
They met at the same restaurant near MIT.
Ryan had heard about Isabella from the family and asked a few concerned questions.
Sophia replied, "It's all resolved. I asked you here today mainly to settle the final payment."
"According to the contract, the project fee is paid in three installments. The first two have been transferred. Ryan, you're still owed the final installment. Please verify, and if everything's correct, I'll transfer the funds."
"Mr. Evans, you two communicated directly for most of it. I'm not entirely clear on the details. After I settle with Ryan, you can work it out between yourselves. Since we're all here, it's best to get it sorted now."
Ryan wasn't particularly worried about errors, but seeing Sophia's seriousness, he carefully checked. "It's correct."
"Good."
Next, Ryan and Sebastian settled their accounts.
They were both efficient and straightforward.
With business concluded, they began eating.
Remembering their help, Sophia raised her teacup in a toast. "Ryan, Mr. Evans, the lab wouldn't be built without you. I won't waste words on formalities. It's all in this tea."
Ryan waved his hand with a sheepish grin. "Don't be so formal. I should be thanking you. My company was almost broke recently. I don't know how much longer I could have lasted without your project."
He knew clearly that if he weren't Sophia's cousin, she likely wouldn't have chosen his company without any prior contact.
Sophia smiled. It had been a fortunate coincidence, but Ryan hadn't let her down.
Sebastian didn't speak, merely curling the corner of his mouth slightly.
His long, distinct fingers traced the rim of his cup. His peripheral vision remained fixed on Sophia's profile. Seeing her so happy and spirited softened his heart.
After the meal, Sebastian went to pay the bill.
Sophia visited the restroom. When she returned, Ryan suddenly solemnly pushed a bank card toward her.
"Ryan?"
"Clara, there's 100,000 dollars in this card. It's not much, just the deposit from the last two orders. Please, you must accept it."
Sophia was puzzled. "It's your hard-earned money. Why give it to me?"
"After the lab was completed, many media outlets came. The online discussion blew up, and our company got popular too. Orders haven't stopped since..." Ryan couldn't stop smiling as he spoke.
Recently, the company's front desk phone hadn't stopped ringing. Orders they once begged for were now coming to them.
He finally understood what "traffic is king" meant.
With visibility came more opportunities.
Ryan knew all of this was because of Sophia.
"...In our industry, there's a standard commission for referrals. This is what you deserve."
Sophia naturally refused. "We're family; this is too formal. I won't take the money. Please keep it."
Ryan's smart home installation company's success was closely tied to its cutting-edge positioning and his own hard work.
Ryan directly shoved the card into her hand. "...Then consider it an investment in your project. Building the lab cost so much, and you'll need significant funding later. Think of this 100,000 as my investment share."
Sophia joked half-seriously, "Ryan, you want to invest in all our lab projects for just 100,000? That's too cheap."
Ryan laughed. "How could I dare dream that big? Investing in one is enough!"
With things put that way, Sophia had no choice but to accept.
Ryan could never have imagined how substantial the returns would be from this casually offered 100,000 dollars in the future.
...
With the move to the new lab, the temporary space at Stanford University was no longer needed.
Professor Murphy had kindly lent the lab, likely out of regard for Alexander Laurent, but Sophia was still grateful.
On Saturday, she bought flowers and fruit, and went to return the keys in person, also to express her thanks.
Professor Murphy's office was on the third floor of the Stanford administration building. Sophia had been there twice and knew the way.
She knocked on the door. "Professor Murphy, are you in?"
A voice came from inside quickly. "Come in."
Sophia pushed the door open.
Professor Murphy's office was like him: simple, bright, and straightforward.
Besides a desk and a coffee table, there was a sofa and bookshelf.
A tea set sat on the solid wood coffee table. The tea was hot, its aroma filling the room.
To her surprise, Alexander Laurent was also there.
The tea was probably brewed for him.
"Sophia, you're here."
"Professor Laurent, Professor Murphy, good morning! Have you both had lunch?" Sophia arranged the flowers and placed the fruit on a nearby table.
"I've eaten. You really didn't need to bring anything."
Sophia said, "It's just flowers and some fruit, nothing expensive. You lent me your lab without charging. I should return the kindness."
"Haha..." Professor Murphy laughed heartily. "You're something else, young lady. Always so quick with words. I can't refuse, I really can't."
"Then please accept them." Sophia nodded earnestly.
"Alex, see how this girl knows how to climb the ladder offered? Not humble at all!"
Alexander curled his lips. "Really? I find her quite懂事 and thoughtful."
This praise immediately made Sophia blush bright red.
Who praises someone to their face like that?
It was awkward to feel either shy or pleased, and refusing would be even more improper. It was just uncomfortable!
If he wanted to praise her, why not do it behind her back...
Sophia couldn't help thinking.
Professor Murphy agreed, "That's true. Otherwise, how could she have all our Stanford young men lining up for her?"
Alexander's smile faded slightly.
Sophia grew even more embarrassed.
Finally, Alexander spoke to change the subject for her. "You came today to...?"
"Oh, I came to return the keys. Thank you, Professor Murphy, for lending us the lab during this time."
She took out the keys and placed them on the table.
"I'll let you two continue your conversation. I won't disturb you further. Goodbye." Sophia tactfully took her leave.
No sooner had she left than Alexander also stood up. "Professor Murphy, if there's nothing else, I'll be going too."
"Wait, weren't we going to discuss the research direction for next year's international joint project?"
Alexander said, "It's too complex to settle now. We'll talk another time."
Professor Murphy stared blankly at his hurriedly departing back. Wasn't that the whole reason for his visit today?
How was it suddenly "too complex"?
...
"Sophia—"
Alexander caught up to her.
"Professor?" Sophia turned around. "You're done already?"
"Yes, we finished talking."
It was fortunate Professor Murphy wasn't there to hear. If he were, he'd surely be baffled: Finished talking? Talked about what?