Chapter 365
Sophia Sullivan was choosing a car.
Alexander Laurent stayed quietly by her side.
He didn't speak much.
But he noticed every detail.
Whenever she overlooked a key specification, he would gently remind her.
An ordinary friend wouldn't be this attentive.
From the moment they entered the dealership, his gaze was fixed on her.
That level of focus couldn't be faked.
The salesgirl couldn't help but smile. "Are you two here to pick out a wedding car?"
She had seen too many newlyweds who acted just like this.
Sophia's ears grew warm. "You've misunderstood," she quickly denied.
The girl immediately apologized.
Alexander offered no explanation.
His gaze remained gentle.
Confusion flickered in the girl's eyes. Weren't they a couple?
...
Across the street, Irene Valdemar had just finished a spa treatment and was about to leave.
Her eyes swept over the Mercedes-Benz showroom and suddenly stopped.
She adjusted her sunglasses for a better look.
It was Alexander Laurent!
A woman stood beside him. Her profile looked somewhat familiar.
Irene immediately pulled out her phone and snapped several pictures.
She sent them to Sylvia Laurent without hesitation.
[Sylvia, is this Alexander?]
[Does he have a girlfriend now?]
...
At the spa, Sylvia Laurent was enjoying a massage.
Her phone vibrated. She glanced at it casually.
The next second, she bolted upright.
Her face mask slipped off, but she didn't care.
She immediately replied, asking for the location.
The pin dropped quickly.
"Mrs. Laurent, is everything alright?" the other socialites asked with concern.
"It's nothing," Sylvia said, forcing a smile. "Just a small emergency."
She threw off the blanket, slipped on her shoes, and hurried out.
"Put today's charges on my account. Everyone, enjoy yourselves!"
The socialites exchanged puzzled looks.
The aesthetician stood frozen.
Mrs. Laurent's face mask was still on!
Sylvia rushed straight to the location.
"Where are they?" she asked, slightly out of breath upon arrival.
Irene was surprised. "That was fast!"
Sylvia looked toward the dealership across the street. "Are they inside?"
Irene shook her head. "They just left."
Sylvia frowned.
She would never mistake that woman's back in the photo.
It was that tea master!
"Were they here to buy a car?"
Irene nodded. "A white Mercedes C-Class. It seemed the woman was buying it."
Sylvia's face darkened.
"Is Alexander really seeing someone?" Irene ventured.
Sylvia waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine…"
She clearly didn't want to discuss it.
"Shall we go shopping?" Irene suggested.
Sylvia turned to leave. "I have other matters."
Irene watched her hurried departure and suddenly paused.
She opened the photos again.
That silhouette… why did it look so much like the girl who was shoe shopping with her son recently?
She shook her head.
Impossible.
How could her son be fooled by someone like that?
She must be seeing things.
...
After picking up her car, Sophia drove back to their apartment complex.
Their building didn't have assigned parking, so she had to use the lot across the street.
Alexander suggested she rent a space.
The paperwork took an hour.
Alexander walked her to her building's entrance before heading home.
He had just picked up the watering can when urgent knocking sounded at his door.
He was surprised to find Sylvia Laurent there. "Mom?"
"Can't I visit?" Sylvia brushed past him into the apartment.
Her eyes scanned the room.
Alexander instantly understood her purpose.
"What are you really here for?" His voice grew low.
Sylvia gave a dry laugh. "The weather's turning cold. I came to check on you."
She inspected the living room carefully.
No signs of a woman.
Only one mug.
A single set of towels.
Had she really misjudged him?
Alexander crossed his arms. "Satisfied?"
Sylvia smiled awkwardly. "It seems you're doing well."
Alexander's lips twitched.
He'd been independent for years. Her concern now felt far too late.
"I have work to attend to."
Sylvia nodded sheepishly. "I'll be going then."
She pulled the door open.
At that exact moment, the door next door also opened.
Sophia Sullivan and Sylvia Laurent came face to face.
They both froze.