Chapter 428

Sophia Laurent had just set down her phone when the café's glass door swung open.

She looked up, her lips curving into an unconscious smile.

"Dr. Quincy, long time no see."

The man in the doorway wore a simple white shirt. Behind black-framed glasses, his eyes gleamed with exhaustion and excitement.

This was Dr. Preston Quincy, the renowned medical robotics expert.

"The usual?" Sophia slid the menu toward him.

He nodded. "Iced Americano."

Once the server left, he leaned forward urgently. "Ms. Laurent, we've made a breakthrough."

That rainy night six years ago felt like yesterday.

Freshly rejected by investors, his team disbanded, he'd been hunched over data in a rented apartment.

Then a ponytailed girl knocked on his door, offering to fund his medical robotics project.

He'd thought it a joke.

Until seven digits appeared in his account.

"It can perform both cardiac and complex orthopedic surgeries," Preston said, voice trembling. "Success rate: 99.8%."

Sophia's eyes lit up. "Truly?"

"Without question."

In six years, their surgical robots had revolutionized medicine.

Yet Preston kept chasing perfection.

A phone ringtone sliced through their conversation.

"Excuse me." He stepped aside to answer.

His assistant's frantic voice crackled through: "Dr. Quincy, Mr. Lowell is here with Ms. Emily Lowell. They demand a lab tour."

"Which Mr. Lowell?"

"William. Emily's adoptive brother."

Preston's brow furrowed.

He'd specifically chosen today to update Sophia. This timing couldn't be coincidence.

"Make them wait," he clipped.

Returning, he found Sophia gazing out the window, pensive.

"Emergency?" she asked, turning.

He shook his head. "Your eldest brother took Emily to the lab."

Sophia's fingers tapped the tabletop. A shadow flickered in her eyes.

"Seems someone's getting restless."