Chapter 132 The Message Was Deliberately Spread by Sophia
The sunset faded, and darkness gradually fell.
Sophia said to the two people cuddling beside her, "Lucas, take Emily back to the house."
She had Allan lead the visitor to the reception room at the back of the courtyard.
She quickly returned to her room, changed out of her casual clothes into something more formal, and hurried over.
Unlike the small side parlor where she'd met Hannah before, the reception room at the back was larger and brighter. The room used the world's finest materials, soundproof and privacy-protected, with a peaceful atmosphere perfect for business discussions.
In the distance, a group of distinguished-looking people were walking toward her.
Sophia stepped forward to greet them. "Mr. Harris, what brings you here?"
Samuel approached with steady, powerful steps, his appearance refined.
Samuel was already in his sixties, but his posture remained straight as a pine tree.
He carried not only the authority and presence of someone who commanded the big picture, but also an ambitious hunger for power, along with restraint and wariness toward temptation.
The secretary following behind him also looked like a capable person.
Not to mention the bodyguards who had positioned themselves at different spots before they got out of the car—clearly elite soldiers retired from the military.
Sophia took all this in with calm eyes, maintaining a certain level of caution toward the person before her.
Samuel's secretary smiled at her. "Ms. Johnson, Mr. Harris would like to speak with you privately."
Sophia nodded and led them inside.
The coffee-making skills she'd deliberately learned at the Smith family now came in handy.
She closed the door.
Only Sophia and Samuel remained in the room.
Sophia wore a custom-made pearl-white dress with sleeves rolled up for easier movement.
She sat at the coffee table and began preparing coffee.
Her every movement appeared elegant and serene, each moment like a pleasing painting.
Soon, the aroma of coffee filled the room.
Sophia smiled at the elder sitting before her. "Mr. Harris, please enjoy."
Samuel carried the relaxed ease that comes with age. He picked up the coffee cup, slowly tasting it and savoring the lingering flavor.
He nodded. "Excellent coffee."
Sophia took the initiative to ask, "Mr. Harris, is there something urgent that brought you here?"
If it wasn't urgent, she couldn't imagine why he would come when it was getting dark. For someone of his status, this time really didn't fit his usual habits for receiving guests.
And he'd come in person, no less.
Samuel smiled warmly as he set down his coffee cup, giving off a sense of approachable stability.
"I heard you're working on research related to 'artificial wombs.'" His eyes showed deep interest, yet without making her feel uncomfortable.
Sophia paused, surprised that Samuel had gotten the news so quickly.
She nodded. "Currently, it's just an idea. We haven't entered the research phase yet."
Samuel asked, "Would you be interested in partnering with me?"
He was friendly to everyone, but behind that lay his effortless grasp of human nature.
Sophia's mind immediately went on high alert. As she refilled his coffee, she pondered his purpose.
Samuel should be retiring in just a few years.
From what she knew, Samuel had a daughter, but very few people knew what she looked like or any other information about her.
Looking at recent years, his daughter wouldn't be able to take over his position. If that was the case, his words just now were worth thinking deeply about.
For money? Someone like him probably wouldn't care about that.
For reputation? Then wouldn't it be better to approach her from his official position?
Sophia remained calm, her mind racing, unable to figure out the purpose behind his words.
"Sophia, you're very talented in research, but this isn't like abroad. Without strong backing, even if you successfully develop the technology, you might not be able to keep it in your own hands."
"You've helped me, and I really like you as a junior. If you're willing, you can be like my own granddaughter from now on."
These two sentences could almost be described as a combination of kindness and authority with a casual sense of overwhelming power.
Sophia's fingers tightened suddenly.
Under Samuel's gentle gaze, she felt her scalp tingle.
And he continued drinking his coffee unhurriedly, waiting for her considered response.
If the "artificial womb" technology could really succeed, it would not only help many families struggling with conception to have their own children, but also reduce the hardship of pregnancy for women.
Sophia had been pregnant twice and could deeply understand a mother's difficulties.
A faint fragrance permeated the quiet reception room.
She met Samuel's eyes—warm and gentle like an elder looking at you, yet with the dangerous aura of someone wielding power lurking beneath.
Time passed second by second.
Samuel raised an eyebrow slightly and spoke calmly. "Well?"
Sophia said, "Mr. Harris, since you trust me so much, this partnership would naturally be excellent."
She'd only been back in the country for half a year, with most of her connections still abroad. Now was a good time to develop her network, and also a way to balance the current situation.
The corner of Samuel's mouth curved into a slight smile, and he nodded at her.
At his position, every day's time needed to be split into several parts. Now that the matter was settled, he naturally wouldn't stay long.
The secretary entered from outside and placed three exquisite gift boxes in front of Sophia.
"Ms. Johnson, these are gifts from Mr. Harris for the children."
Sophia said, "Thank you, Mr. Harris."
She personally escorted Samuel to his car. Samuel's secretary opened the car door for him.
The sun had completely set by now, but the afterglow remained, making everything more hazy and mysterious.
The car window lowered a crack, and dim light and shadow flowed inside the car.
Time had never been unkind to this outstanding power holder. Even at 60, he still had a more distinguished appearance than his peers.
Samuel said, "Don't see me off anymore. Go back."
After they left the Johnson Villa, she returned to the reception room and opened the exquisite gift boxes on the table.
Three identical custom necklaces, each with a precious jade stone set in the middle, with auspicious patterns on the jade's surface.
Two had top-grade emerald of the same quality, and another had a top-grade pink-purple diamond.
The fine craftsmanship in the details undoubtedly showed how valuable these three necklaces were.
Lucas pushed open the door from outside the reception room. Seeing her deep in thought by the table, he asked with concern, "Everything okay?"
Sophia shook her head. The indoor lighting made her features appear even more radiant.
She turned to Lucas and said, "We don't need to spread the news about the lab's 'artificial womb' research anymore. We've found a suitable partner."
Lucas acknowledged this. "Let's go, it's time for dinner."
Under the night sky, the highway was like an endless time tunnel. The secretary in the passenger seat asked, "Mr. Harris, why would Ms. Johnson agree to cooperate so easily?"
According to their investigation, Sophia always took a long time to consider partnerships and would conduct detailed investigations of potential partners, being very guarded.
Samuel chuckled softly. "Naturally, because... she deliberately had the news spread to us."
She appeared innocent on the surface, but she was quite calculating inside.
He looked down at his phone contacts and quickly sent out a message.