Chapter 24
"Ethan, you said there are things you don't dare do... Well, if I suggest one more thing, would you dare?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Isabella pointed at the door lock.
She pouted, looking like a wronged puppy.
"I've waited for you so many times."
She extended her arm, showing the mosquito bites.
"Look, so many bites."
"Want to get bitten again next time?"
Ethan said flatly, "Can't bear to see it."
Isabella jumped up.
"I just want to register my fingerprint."
"So I can come find you later."
The man chuckled.
"Like a child."
He registered her fingerprint.
Remembering the oatmeal porridge she brought, he pulled out a supplementary card.
"Ten thousand a month."
"Buy whatever you like."
Isabella bit her lip.
"I can't take your money."
"A woman spending her man's money is only natural."
"Is that so..."
"Take it."
Isabella's eyes lit up.
"I'll bring more porridge tomorrow."
Ethan waved his hand.
"Don't."
It's not that taste.
No matter how many times I eat it, it's useless.
...
Sophia Sullivan and Henry Lorenz parted ways outside the library.
Henry had ranked first in the graduate entrance exams.
He had helped her highlight the key points.
She wanted to treat him to a meal.
But he had to leave early.
The June weather was growing warmer.
A wave of heat hit her face.
She only felt better after going home and turning on the air conditioning.
She opened the refrigerator.
Planning to make garlic broccoli.
Asparagus stir-fried with pork.
Corn and pork rib soup.
She wouldn't shortchange herself.
As the food was ready, there was noise outside the door.
She opened it to find only the cleaning lady.
"Anything wrong?"
Sophia shook her head.
"Nothing."
The next day, she arrived at the library on time.
She brought breakfast for Henry.
He hadn't accepted payment yesterday.
It was only fair she brought some today.
Henry scratched his head.
"Thanks, you're too kind."
She often sat by the window.
Good light, fewer people.
Ideal for studying.
But when she turned, she saw Isabella Langley.
Today she was alone.
Sophia paid no attention.
She took out her books and exam papers to practice.
Isabella fidgeted nervously.
Her gaze kept drifting over.
Sophia remained oblivious.
Her profile, as she turned the pages, was serene and beautiful.
Even Isabella had to admit.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Perhaps that was why Ethan couldn't forget her.
Isabella gripped her pen tightly.
Remembering that day in the haunted house.
Ethan had abandoned her and run to Sophia.
He had been truly panicked.
Now she was the official girlfriend.
She couldn't lose.
Henry set the study pace.
Sophia's efficiency improved.
She finished two practice exams by noon.
With a ninety-five percent accuracy rate.
Henry was surprised.
Even after three years since graduation, she was still this sharp.
No wonder the professor valued her.
Sophia got up to use the restroom.
Isabella immediately followed.
"Wait."
Sophia turned.
"Yes?"
"I brought him porridge last night."
"He finished it all."
Isabella smiled.
"He even asked me to stay the night."
"It was the first time I saw him so rough yet sexy."
"I didn't sleep all night."
She lowered her head, feigning shyness.
A sharp pain pierced Sophia's heart.
It was hard to breathe.
"Jealous?" Isabella moved closer.
"Regretful? You've missed your chance."
Sophia suddenly laughed.
"How do you know he's only done that with you?"
Isabella's face paled.
"Maybe you're just one of many?"
"And you won't be the last."
With that, Sophia turned and left.
Henry noticed she had been gone a long time.
He thought about messaging her, but she returned.
He saw her pale face.
"Everything okay? Not feeling well?"
Sophia dug her nails into her palm.
"Just a bit stuffy. Let's continue."
Henry nodded.
"Okay."
Study session ended at five in the afternoon.
Henry remembered yesterday's meal.
"There's a new hot pot place nearby."
"Want to go? My treat."
Sophia's mind was already elsewhere.
She shook her head.
"Not feeling well. Next time."
Henry didn't mind.
"Okay, I'll treat you next time."
...
Home, Sophia collapsed onto the sofa.
The little goldfish in the tank blew bubbles.
Watching the swimming fish, drowsiness washed over her.
She woke to darkness.
Eight PM.
Woken by hunger.
She slipped on her sandals and went to the kitchen.
Remembered the fridge was empty.
She forgot to buy groceries in the afternoon.
The supermarket was still open.
She grabbed her keys and went out.
The seafood section was lively with fish and shrimp.
She bought a snakehead fish.
Felt like having sour soup, went to the seasoning aisle.
Found the packaged pickled vegetables.
Reached out and touched a warm hand.
Sophia Sullivan's gaze fell on that hand.
Its knuckles were distinct, long and powerful.
Her eyes shifted slightly.
She saw the shopping cart piled high with pre-made meals.
Looking up, she met his downward glance.
Sophia curved her lips into a smile. "Professor Laurent, is this your dinner?"
Alexander Laurent cleared his throat softly. "Just something quick for late nights at the lab."
"The nutritional ratio is calculated. Protein, vitamins, carbs—all meet the standard."
His tone was as calm as if he were reporting data.
Sophia laughed. "Professor Laurent, even eating is so precise for you."
"But if you had to choose between a hot, freshly cooked meal and instant food, which would you pick?"
Alexander fell silent.
The answer was obvious.
Sophia's eyes curved into crescents. "I'll make dinner."
"The payment is helping me with a small favor."
Half an hour later.
Alexander stared at the fish on the cutting board. "This presents a difficulty."
Sophia rubbed her nose. "The supermarket usually processes it, but it's too crowded today."
"Maybe we should just—"
Alexander rolled up his sleeves and removed his glasses. "Let me try."
Sophia nodded.
Using pre-sliced fish for the soup would be easier.
But asking a physicist to slice fish was overkill.
Five minutes later.
She looked at the uniformly thin fish slices and took back her thought.
His knife skills rivaled a professional chef's.
"Does it meet the standard?" Alexander asked, wiping his hands.
"More than meets it! You could open a shop with that skill."
The corner of Alexander's mouth lifted slightly. "I've never cooked, but I learned dissection in biology."
Dinner was a steaming fish hot pot.
The side dishes Alexander bought covered the table.
After the meal, he cleared the dishes.
Sophia saw him to the door. "I'll take out the trash. You should rest early."
Alexander glanced at the time. It was almost midnight.
His night run plan was canceled.
Sophia expected to toss and turn, but she fell into a deep sleep quickly.
Seven the next morning.
Her phone screen lit up with a video call request.
Olivia Lopez was applying makeup, her brow furrowed. "I'm so jealous you get to go to the library. I have another blind date."
Sophia chuckled. "Want to come study with me?"
Olivia pouted. "I'd rather go on the blind date."
She knew she wasn't cut out for academics. Having one genius in the family was enough.
"The photos from last time are edited. Sending them to you now."
WeChat notification sounds chimed repeatedly.
Sophia swiped through the screen.
There she was, wearing a fox ear headband, her cheek pinched, expression dazed.
And a picture of Olivia looking disheveled right after getting off a roller coaster.
When she reached the last few solo photos, her finger paused.
Two familiar figures flashed in the background.
Isabella Langley and Ethan Roscente walked hand in hand.
She felt like an onlooker who had stumbled into someone else's world.
...
"Martha!"
Ethan Roscente curled on the sofa, his face pale.
Waves of stomach cramps assaulted him.
The mansion was empty. No one answered.
He rummaged through drawers looking for stomach medicine.
Only an empty box remained.
His hands shook as he dialed his assistant's number. "Bring me stomach medicine."
The assistant arrived quickly, handing him pills and water.
Ethan swallowed the pills. "You can go."
An hour later, the phone rang again.
"What kind of medicine did you buy? It's useless!"
The pain stripped away his patience.
The medicine box on the coffee table wasn't his usual brand.
The assistant apologized profusely. "What brand do you need, sir?"
Ethan suddenly went silent.
It was always Sophia who prepared it.
He never memorized the name.
He hung up the phone violently.
He pulled out that deeply memorized number.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable—"
He just remembered. She was still blocked.
The lock turned.
Martha entered carrying a grocery basket.
Ethan staggered to his feet. "Lend me your phone."
The moment the call connected.
A clear female voice came through. "Martha?"
All his questioning got stuck in his throat.
In the end, he only managed to squeeze out a hoarse whisper.
"My stomach hurts."