Chapter 107

"Understood, Professor. I'll pick you up on time." Sophia held her phone gently, her voice soft.

"Don't trouble yourself. Let your senior handle it." Theodore Orlando's tone was affectionate. "It's not safe for a young woman to go to the airport alone at night."

Warmth bloomed in Sophia's chest. She knew the "senior" her professor referred to was Sebastian Valdemar.

"By the way, have you met your senior since the semester started?" Theodore suddenly asked. "I specifically told him to look after you. That boy better not have slacked off."

Remembering Sebastian's thoughtfulness yesterday, Sophia's lips curled unconsciously. "He's been very attentive."

"Good. At least my arrangement wasn't in vain—"

A truck roared past, drowning out the rest of his words. By the time the noise faded, Sophia had already reached her apartment complex's entrance.

"Professor, what were you saying?"

"Oh, nothing important." Theodore quickly changed the subject. "Your aunt is calling me. I'll talk to you later."

Just as Sophia put away her phone, it rang again. Seeing "Zachary Evans" flashing on the screen, she frowned.

She'd only unblocked him recently to inquire about Ethan Roscente. She hadn't expected him to call so soon.

"Hello?"

But it was Ethan's deep voice that answered. "I'm outside your place."

Sophia froze mid-step. "What do you want?"

"Someone's in a bad mood." His chuckle was infuriating. "Who upset you?"

"None of your business." She moved to hang up.

"My stomach hurts." The words came abruptly.

Sophia paused, then scoffed. "Go find your fiancée. I'm not a doctor."

"Still your uncle, aren't I?" Ethan's voice was weak but teasing. "Shouldn't you show some filial piety when your elder is unwell?"

"I might 'piety' you to death."

"Dying by my niece's hand would be a romantic way to go."

"..." Her teeth ground together. "Just suffer then!"

Despite her words, her footsteps quickened.

A familiar van was parked downstairs. Sophia felt she'd seen it somewhere before, but before she could recall, two giggling girls stepped out of the elevator.