Chapter 207

"Years ago, this pathway was constructed by the Stanford Scholarship Foundation to commemorate the iconic figure of Stanford University and the beloved goddess in the hearts of countless students—Vivian Lockhart."

The college student's voice grew more animated as he spoke, painting Vivian as a near-mythical figure.

"You probably don't realize just how extraordinary Vivian Lockhart was. The research team she led dominated international physics competitions. Some of her published academic papers even became required reading in foreign university curricula!"

"Ahem!"

Vivian hadn't expected her legacy at Stanford to remain so strong after all these years. The student's effusive praise was making her cheeks warm. She quickly cut him off. "Alright, alright, we get it—she was amazing!"

"And she was! But she had terrible taste in men."

The student sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "At the peak of her career, she walked away—just to get married. And not just to anyone, but to Ethan Blackwood, a man everyone could tell was trouble from the start. My friends and I knew that marriage wouldn’t last."

"Sure enough… he cheated. Rumor has it they’re divorced now. I just hope Vivian Lockhart leaves that heartbreak behind and reclaims her brilliance!"

Ethan’s expression darkened dangerously.

Vivian quickly ushered the student away before Ethan could retaliate. The last thing she needed was him blacklisting some innocent kid.

"See? I wasn’t lying. This path was made for me. If I say you can’t walk here, then you can’t."

She tilted her chin up, smirking at Ethan.

He studied her, surprised. The woman he’d always dismissed as naive had once been a physics prodigy?

Hearing about her past achievements, even he felt a pang of regret—marrying him had been a waste of her talent.

"True, the Sophora Pathway was built in your honor by the Stanford Scholarship Foundation. But do you know who funds it?"

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips.

Vivian frowned, trying to recall. "I met the sponsor a few times after winning awards, but they always remained anonymous. Don’t tell me… you’re the sponsor?"

His smirk deepened. "Surprised?"

As one of the Elite Eight families of Newport City, the Blackwoods had both the influence and wealth to fund Stanford’s most prestigious scholarships.

Vivian rolled her eyes, done with the conversation. "Boring." She turned to leave with Isabella.

Isabella, sweet and perceptive, glanced between them. With one small hand clutching Vivian’s and the other reaching for Ethan, she chirped, "Daddy says people who walk the Sophora Pathway together stay together forever! That means all three of us will!"

Vivian hesitated, but the hopeful spark in Isabella’s eyes made refusal impossible.

To her surprise, Ethan didn’t protest either. His large hand enveloped Isabella’s tiny one, his grip firm.

So they walked—Vivian on one side, Ethan on the other, Isabella swinging between them. From a distance, they looked like the perfect family: the striking CEO, the elegant genius, and the radiant child.

"Excuse me!"

A voice interrupted the moment.