Chapter 541 Ugly
The next morning, Benjamin drove Sophia to the hospital to pack up her things.
As soon as she entered the hospital, Sophia saw many nurses huddled together, whispering.
She vaguely heard her own name—they seemed to be discussing yesterday's meeting.
Thanks to Sabrina's deliberate leak, news of her refusal to participate in the medical research competition had already spread throughout Harmony Hospital.
Now, everyone thought she was a selfish person.
"You really can't judge a book by its cover. I thought Sophia was a decent person, but she's so selfish!"
"You know someone's face but not their heart. She doesn't care about contributing to the country at all. What good is talent if she's like this? She's destined to never achieve anything great."
"Alright, alright, stop talking!" Suddenly, someone noticed Sophia standing not far from them and reached out to nudge the speaker's arm.
The others were all shocked and quickly turned around.
The moment they saw Sophia, everyone couldn't help but gasp.
She... she... when did she get here?
How could she walk without making any sound?
Sophia stood just a step away from them. Looking at them now, she suddenly laughed out loud.
Her laughter was so abrupt that it startled everyone.
Everyone's hearts began to race nervously, not understanding what Sophia was going to do.
However, after waiting for about a minute, Sophia did nothing. She just looked at them meaningfully, then left.
Sophia couldn't be bothered with them.
They could say whatever they wanted—she didn't care anyway.
She had become very open-minded about others' opinions and wouldn't change her mind because of these strangers.
The law didn't say that capable people had to contribute more.
She was a person, not a tool. She had the right to choose how to live her life.
And the life she wanted didn't include doing experiments that went against natural human laws.
She returned to her office, packed up all her things, and then went to visit Francis's ward.
Francis was leaning against his hospital bed. Seeing Sophia, his eyes immediately brightened. "Sophia, you're here?"
"Francis."
Sophia looked at Francis with very mixed feelings.
If Francis had been upfront with her before yesterday, she definitely wouldn't have gone to the meeting.
Whatever his reasons, what Francis did made her feel annoyed.
She wouldn't deliberately blame Francis, but she couldn't completely let it go either.
Francis opened his mouth, wanting to explain: "Sophia, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to hide it from you."
Sophia looked straight into his eyes and asked: "Not meaning to hide it, means you knew about it beforehand. Francis, I thought after all this time together, you would understand me."
"I had no choice. Those professors have been calling me constantly, insisting I get you to attend the meeting."
Francis felt helpless.
Actually, he didn't agree with doing those experiments either, but this was decided by the medical association—it wasn't something he alone could control.
Sophia slowly shook her head, a distant smile on her lips: "It doesn't matter anymore. Your surgery was very successful. I'll be leaving Harmony City in a few days."
"Leaving so soon? Is there really no room for discussion?" Francis's heart sank. He wanted to ask Sophia to stay, but couldn't bring himself to say it.
Sophia shook her head again.
Harmony City wasn't her home. She didn't feel settled living here.
Silverlight City was better—she liked it there. That's where her family and friends were.
Seeing her firm attitude, Francis sighed helplessly: "Alright then. Take care of yourself. I'll talk to the medical association for you."
"Thank you." Sophia's smile deepened and became more genuine. "Oh, I forgot to tell you—Elijah was arrested yesterday."
She briefly explained what happened yesterday. Francis listened with growing alarm.
"Elijah really won't give up. It seems you have something he wants."
Sophia nodded in agreement. "But I won't let him succeed."
After leaving Francis's ward, Sophia was about to leave when she ran into Sabrina coming toward her.
Sophia didn't stop walking and continued forward, but as she passed Sabrina, Sabrina called out to her.
"Sophia."
Sophia stopped and turned to look at her questioningly: "Yes?"
Sabrina slowly walked up to Sophia, her red lips curving upward slightly, though her eyes held contempt: "I received notice from Dr. Holden this morning—the research will continue."
"So?"
Sabrina covered her mouth, looking at Sophia with exaggerated surprise: "Sorry, I forgot—you didn't receive the notice, did you?"
Sophia looked at her calmly and asked casually, "Has anyone ever told you that you look ugly when you make exaggerated expressions?"
"What?" The smile froze on Sabrina's face, her eyes full of disbelief. "You said I'm... ugly? Sophia! Are you crazy?"
What she was most proud of was her appearance.
"Haven't you looked in a mirror? Don't you know whether you're ugly or not?" Sophia snorted and rolled her eyes dramatically at her.