Chapter 107 Rose-Flavored
Hannah pinched her arm hard.
Ouch!
Guess it wasn't a dream.
She turned to look at Sophia with a complicated expression.
"So Matthew Moore from the Lumina Group is your senior?"
Sophia nodded, no longer hiding it.
Hannah: "...Why do you look so calm about this? Who's been spreading rumors that you grew up in the countryside with no manners and no experience?"
Sophia: "Probably people who can't stand to see me do well."
Sophia knew these words all came from the Brown Family.
When she was brought back to the Brown Family, Sophia had thought about revealing her identity.
But before she could say anything, she found that everyone in the Brown Family had decided she was from the countryside.
Everyone in the Brown Family, including the servants, looked at her with disdain and mockery.
Even if she ate one extra piece of fruit from the Brown Family, they would look at her with charity and pity.
Thinking she'd never had anything this good in her life.
So Sophia changed her mind.
She decided to hide her identity for now.
She thought time would prove everything.
But instead of the Brown Family's attitude changing, they ended up selling her out.
Thinking of the past, Sophia's lips slowly curved into a sarcastic smile.
Hannah thought about the rumors surrounding Sophia and felt speechless.
She couldn't understand what the Brown Family was thinking, abandoning their biological daughter while doting on their adopted one.
If they knew Sophia's true identity, they'd probably regret it big time.
"Oscar, do you need anything else? If not, I'm heading home," Sophia asked.
"Ms. Brown, let me drive you back."
"No need, someone's coming to pick me up."
Sophia smiled and declined, when suddenly she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure and froze.
She quickly turned her head, scanning the crowd.
"Ms. Brown, what's wrong?" Oscar asked quietly.
"Nothing, just saw someone I know."
Sophia shook her head with a smile, though doubt crept into her mind.
"Someone you know? You know people at Stellar University?" Hannah looked surprised.
"Why? Is that not allowed?"
"...It's allowed, I'm just curious."
Hannah was starting to question everything.
She used to think that except for looks, she was better than Sophia in every way.
After seeing Sophia's real medical talent, Hannah consoled herself that at least she had a decent family background.
But now, Hannah felt Sophia had completely beaten her.
Total domination in every aspect!
She felt like she'd taken ten thousand points of damage.
But this pain was something only she could understand.
It was... pretty frustrating.
"I'm leaving. If I stay with you any longer, I'll get depression." Hannah waved at Sophia and quickly walked away.
Watching her flee, Sophia smiled helplessly.
"Oscar, you go ahead. I need to go back to the lab." Sophia said goodbye to Oscar and turned back to Stellar University.
When she got to the lab, it was empty.
Nothing in the cabinets showed signs of being touched.
Sophia frowned in confusion.
Had she been wrong?
The next morning, Sophia changed clothes and headed out.
She'd made plans with Hannah yesterday to go shopping at the mall today.
Benjamin leaned against the car, quietly waiting for Sophia.
He wore his usual pure black suit, giving off no warmth even in the sunlight.
Sophia wore an off-shoulder chiffon top with versatile jeans and white sneakers.
Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail with wispy bangs covering her smooth forehead, looking delicate and pretty.
Seeing Sophia's outfit, Benjamin paused.
For some reason, standing next to Sophia, he always felt like they had an age-gap romance.
"Get in."
Benjamin opened the car door, placing his hand above Sophia's head to prevent her from bumping it.
This thoughtful gesture warmed Sophia's heart.
She flashed Benjamin a big smile.
Looking at Sophia's bright, pretty face, Benjamin's eyes darkened.
He leaned down, grabbed the back of her head, and bit her lip hard.
"What are you doing? You smudged my lipstick!" Sophia complained playfully.
"Rose flavored."
Benjamin licked his lips, satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Sophia's face turned red, her bright eyes glaring at him.
"Who told you to eat it? It has chemicals in it, it's toxic."
Benjamin: "Then don't wear it anymore."
Sophia: "...Many chemicals have toxins and shouldn't be used long-term, but occasionally is fine."
Sophia took out her lipstick and started reapplying it using the car mirror.
"I should make some lipstick with natural ingredients that moisturizes lips without worrying about long-term effects."
Sophia nodded to herself, thinking this idea was more and more feasible.
"You can make lipstick too?" Benjamin asked in surprise.
"What's so hard about that? When I was bored in the mountains, I often made these little things." Sophia said matter-of-factly.
Remembering something, she suddenly leaned toward Benjamin.
Benjamin was driving and noticed her leaning over, smiling helplessly.
"What is it?"
Sophia looked at Benjamin seriously and asked: "Mr. White, do you know why the Lumina Group has grown so fast?"
"Why?" Benjamin asked curiously.
"Because women's and children's money is the easiest to make. Also, sick people's money is easy to make too."
Sophia analyzed patiently: "The Lumina Group's pharmaceutical companies and cosmeceutical brands are internationally renowned. Their cosmetics and skincare products feature natural ingredients, and their medicines have minimal side effects..."
To grow a company, you first need to seize opportunities and be different from others. Second, you need to innovate.
The Lumina Group did both.
The White Group operated in real estate and high-end technology.
With these two major groups, Silverlight City's GDP surpassed Harmony City, becoming Novaria's wealthiest city.
"You know the Lumina Group pretty well?"
Benjamin's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, looking thoughtful.
Sophia suddenly froze, shrinking back guiltily and saying nothing more.
Benjamin saw this and chuckled helplessly.
Even without Sophia saying it, Benjamin had guessed most of it.
He didn't point it out because he wanted to hear Sophia tell him herself.
He had plenty of patience to wait.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a large shopping mall owned by the White Group.