Chapter 345
Still Denying She's a Gold Digger?
Irene Valdemar stood up to pay the bill.
The table was still laden with nearly untouched dishes.
Both mothers were preoccupied with their own thoughts.
Sebastian Evans and Alexander Laurent, however, had fruitful outings.
One bought a suit, the other purchased dress shoes.
Sebastian pointed into the distance. "There's a bubble tea shop up ahead."
Alexander spoke at the same time. "That patisserie is quite famous."
Their eyes met, a silent challenge passing between them.
Sebastian smiled. "Sophia, care to join me?"
Alexander asked gently. "Would you like to go in and see?"
Both pairs of eyes turned to Sophia Sullivan.
Sophia froze.
Not again!
"You two go ahead. I need to use the restroom."
Sebastian nodded. "Alright."
He turned to Alexander. "I assume a professor wouldn't drink bubble tea?"
Alexander replied smoothly. "If you're buying, Sebastian, I might try some."
Sebastian gritted his teeth. "Fine."
Alexander smiled. "My treat for the cake then."
Sebastian's expression darkened further.
They went to stand in their respective lines.
When Sophia emerged from the restroom, Sebastian was holding two cups of bubble tea.
A third cup sat on the table.
He was asking a server for a carrier bag.
Sophia reached out. "I can take them."
They walked toward the patisserie, chatting.
"...Sylvia? Sylvia!"
"...What?"
"What has you so captivated?" Irene followed her gaze, seeing only a cake shop.
Sylvia Laurent waved a hand. "It's nothing."
But her face had instantly turned grim.
That scheming girl was with another man.
They were laughing and sharing a drink.
That was clearly something only couples did!
She only saw the man's back, but his clothes and bearing were exceptional.
Just this morning, she was shopping for clothes with her son, and by afternoon she was latching onto another man.
And she still denied being a gold digger!
Her time management was impressive.
The thought of her naive son being deceived by such a woman made Sylvia's heart ache.
"Irene, something urgent came up. I have to go."
"It's fine. I should be heading back too."
Sylvia hurried away.
Inside the patisserie—
"Sophia! Over here!" Alexander waved from in front of the refrigerated display case.
Sophia walked over and handed him a tea. "Professor, this is for you."
"Thank you." Alexander glanced at Sebastian, a slight smile touching his lips. "Thank you for your generosity, Sebastian."
Sebastian snorted. "Don't mention it."
Alexander pointed to the case. "Which one would you like?"
Sophia chose a peach-shaped cake.
"And you, Sebastian?"
Sebastian didn't care for sweets, but since Alexander was paying, he had to have one—
"The same as Sophia."
The clerk looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, each design is unique. We only have one of each."
Sebastian pointed at random.
When the clerk handed it to him, he realized it was shaped like a cartoon butt.
At a glance, it did somewhat resemble a peach.
Alexander chuckled softly. "You have... unique taste, Sebastian."
Sebastian's face fell.
Sophia, distracted by another display, missed their exchange.
After Alexander paid, he found Sophia staring at a fondant cake in the exhibition case.
It was five tiers high, each adorned with intricate figurines.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Exquisite." Sophia pointed to the second tier. "This one, with glasses and a frown, looks a bit like you, Professor."
Alexander studied it. "Not really. I rarely frown."
Sophia blinked. "Maybe you just don't realize it? Like right now."
Alexander paused, feeling strangely flustered.
Sophia couldn't help but laugh. "Professor, you're actually quite cute."
The three left the patisserie. Alexander's phone rang—
"Mother."
"Alexander, come home immediately." Sylvia's voice was stern.
"What's wrong?"
"We'll discuss it when you get here."
"...Alright."
He ended the call, concern etching his features. "Something came up at home. I have to go."
Sophia was about to nod when Sebastian's phone also rang. "...Understood."
He put his phone away. "What a coincidence. Family matter for me too. But I'll see Sophia home first. You go ahead, Professor."
Sophia quickly waved her hands. "No need. It's only a ten-minute walk."
She turned to Sebastian. "You should go handle your business. Don't delay because of me."
Sebastian and Alexander exchanged a look, neither yielding.
Finally, urged on by Sophia, they both left.
Sophia let out a long sigh of relief.
Peace and quiet at last.
Shopping with them was more exhausting than running experiments.
Never getting involved in something like this again.
So draining.
...
Alexander drove home at high speed.
But everything seemed calm.
Knowing his mother's temperament, he patiently inquired.
Sylvia studied him for a long moment.
"...Mother, what is it? Is everything really alright at home?"
Alexander frowned in thought.
His eldest brother was on a business trip abroad.
His second brother had taken on a new case, but it should be fine.
His father was living a life of leisure.
What could have made his mother so anxious?
"Everything's fine at home. Your brothers don't worry me. It's you. Buried in your research all day. Have you given any thought to what we discussed last time?"
Sylvia took a deep breath, choosing a roundabout approach.
Alexander was puzzled. "Discussed what?"
"Your Uncle Jiang's youngest daughter, remember? The one who always followed you around calling you 'big brother' when you were kids. They immigrated over a decade ago and just returned last week. Your Uncle Jiang wants our families to get together. You..."