Chapter 215 Offending Public Morals

It was strange. Sophie Winslow could hardly imagine why Julian Sterling would be looking for her. After all, their marriage had deteriorated to the point where there wasn’t a shred of care left between them. Yet recently, whenever Julian reached out to her, it was never for anything good.

She stared at the screen for a long while before declining the call outright.

Especially after what happened at the antique shop today, she didn’t think she had anything to discuss with him.

Unsurprisingly, her rejection didn’t seem to shock Julian. It was as if he just wanted to test her attitude; after she hung up, he didn’t call back. He didn’t care why she didn’t answer. In Julian’s mind, he probably had no obligation to “care” about her whatsoever.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Sophie received a call from Philip Preston.

“Come to Kingsford Medical University at ten o’clock today. There’s a highly prestigious academic seminar. Since you’re about to take up the associate professor position, you should attend. The topics will cover drug research and development, as well as smart healthcare. Prepare yourself.”

Sophie instantly perked up. Kingsford University’s academic seminars were gatherings of the country’s top experts. The threshold for attendance was incredibly high. Aside from industry giants, the only others allowed were top-tier students who had fought their way up among thousands in their respective fields. It wasn’t something just anyone could attend.

Sophie scrambled out of bed to wash up. “Understood.”

Before leaving, Sophie ran to her storage cabinet and grabbed a bottle of pills she had spent years researching, developing, and formulating, stuffing it into her bag. Since the theme was drug research and development, perhaps she could spark a discussion.

Kingsford University was quite strict with security. Philip had originally planned to come out and receive her, but he was unexpectedly tied up and couldn’t deliver her exclusive pass in person. He told her to pick up a temporary one first.

Sophie headed to the special administrative office to retrieve the temporary pass. Just as she signed her name and received the badge, she heard a voice from nearby.

“Sophie?”

Sophie looked up to see Evan York approaching. A subtle expression crossed his handsome face as he sized her up, his gaze landing on the temporary pass. “Is that a pass for the academic seminar?”

Although it was a temporary one, he recognized it immediately. His grandmother was also attending today. Attendees were divided into three categories: VIPs like his grandmother and Director Preston, who had exclusive passes; specially invited doctoral students, who carried admission letters; and those with temporary passes. The latter were provided to major policy and strategy partner companies, corporations, and peripheral personnel. Countless industry professionals wanting to pad their resumes couldn’t even get through the door. Yet Sophie was able to participate, which genuinely shocked him.

“Yes.” Sophie slipped the lanyard around her neck and walked out.

As she passed Evan, he watched her with a complicated expression. After everything that had happened at the York family recently, his feelings toward her were quite conflicted.

“Are you and Adrian Hawthorne finished?” he asked abruptly just as she was about to leave.

After all, the scandal with Julian had been exposed. Someone as arrogant and proud as Adrian shouldn’t want anything to do with a married woman like Sophie anymore.

Sophie knew exactly what kind of answer Evan was hoping for. She turned her head. “Does Mr. York have double standards? You care so much about whether Mr. Hawthorne and I are acting properly, and you’re so eager for us to make a clean break. Why haven’t I seen you lecturing Julian and Stella Sutton about their scandalous behavior?”

Evan froze.

Sophie had already strode away. However, as she rounded the corner, she brushed past two people.

When she saw Julian, her heart clenched in pain—not for him, but at the thought of the fifteen antiques in the shop. As a result, her eyes grew even colder, and she didn’t break her stride, treating him like a complete stranger.

Julian seemed to have overheard her remark about scandalous behavior. As she passed, he lowered his gaze, his eyes following her retreating figure.

Stella looked somewhat displeased. How could Sophie compare her and Julian to herself and Mr. Hawthorne? Mr. Hawthorne was clearly just playing with Sophie after weighing the pros and cons, yet Sophie certainly knew how to flatter herself, acting as if he actually loved her.

“Mr. York, let’s head over first,” Stella said with a gentle smile, reining in her thoughts.

Evan finally snapped out of his daze. He cast an inexplicable look at Stella before giving a noncommittal hum of agreement.

Stella didn’t want to let Sophie affect her mood. She had also spotted the temporary pass, which meant Sophie was nothing more than a fringe attendee—hardly worth her attention.

As for herself, she was here today to meet various academic mentors. She had already submitted her portfolio and would undergo interviews soon. Although she was determined to become Philip’s student, it was always best to build as many connections as possible in this circle. With Julian’s backing, she had the rare opportunity to meet several mentors simultaneously.

The project was currently a mess, and the fallout still needed to be handled. At the very least, she couldn’t afford any more mistakes with her doctoral application.

“Sophie is probably here representing Mr. Preston today,” Evan mused thoughtfully as they walked. Perhaps Peter Preston had prior engagements and sent her to attend in his place?

Thinking of the temporary pass hanging around Sophie’s neck, Stella couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Probably. She must be quite proud to show her face at an event like this.”

Wearing a temporary badge, she practically had ‘show-off’ written all over her face. Sophie’s behavior made her look exactly like a fake academic socialite without an ounce of real knowledge. Just like those vain women pretending to be socialites, she was probably just here to take a few photos, check in on social media, and deceive the public to pad her resume and pretend she was impressive.

Julian was uninterested in the topic, uncaring about Sophie’s comings and goings.

Evan, on the other hand, ignored the hidden barbs in Stella’s words and looked directly at Julian. Actually, he had noticed earlier that Sophie seemed to…

“When she left, did she shoot you a dirty look?” Evan asked, speaking past Stella.

Stella frowned briefly, feeling slighted by Evan’s lack of response, though she wondered if she was just overthinking it.

Julian finally looked over coldly, his tone nonchalant. “Did she?”

He seemed completely oblivious to Sophie’s actions.

Inside the large conference room, Sophie sat quietly and waited.

Not long after, she saw Stella’s group walk in. Julian had already made the arrangements, leading Stella directly over to meet a few professors. He was attentive and protective the entire time.

Those professors would be her future colleagues, and she had already met them during private dinners. Only someone with Stella’s channels could meet so many professors at once, building a good impression with potential mentors to pave the way for her future doctoral interviews.

All thanks to Julian, of course.

Sophie silently looked away, feeling completely numb to it all.

Stella also noticed Sophie tucked away in the corner. Raising an eyebrow, she guessed Sophie was probably feeling inadequate.

Aside from properly introducing herself to the mentors today, Stella had another objective.

Looking at Professor Coleman in front of her, she asked, “I heard Kingsford Medical University has an exceptionally appointed professor? Did they arrive today?”

Julian also looked over.

Professor Coleman nodded. “Yes, they did.”

As he spoke, he turned his head and scanned the room. Finally, his eyes locked onto Sophie in the corner, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Isn’t that her right there?”