Chapter 248
Sophia had nned to attend Jadeborough University''s anniversary celebration with Joshua, but
Alexander had told her about his own invitation and wanted to go with her. Hence, she ended up going
with him instead.
When Marcus learned that Alexander was attending the celebration, he thought he had misheard due
to his old age.
The Xenos family started flourishing when Alexander''s grandfather took over as the head of the family.
After they started getting more well off, Beau donated quite a lot of resources and finances to
Jadeborough University.
After Beau passed away, Alexander took over Odyssey and the Xenos family. Every year, Alexander
arranged for his secretary to donate five million to the school.
That''s why Marcus had continued sending both physical and online invitations to Alexander every
single year despite thetter declining every time.
Eventually, everyone silently agreed that he would never show up.
This year, however, his secretary suddenly told them that he would attend because his schedule was
suddenly clear on the day of the anniversary celebration. Even the school secretary was surprised, let
alone Marcus.
A ck Lexus pulled up before a man dressed in a sleek ck suit stepped out of the car. He turned
around and reached out a hand to Sophia, who also exited the car carefully.
Some of the school directors stared in surprise at the sight of Alexander in the flesh. They finally
realized that he was really here for the anniversary and greeted him with huge smiles on their faces.
“Mr. Xenos! Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our anniversary. It must have been hard to
clear out your schedule. This truly is an honor.”
Marcus looked at Alexander with a bright smile before noticing Sophia, who was standing next to him.
Surprised, he called out, “Sophia?”
She nodded and smiled. “Hello, Mr. Rubin. It''s been a while.”
“It really has! Even after so many years, you still haven''t changed.”
Right as Marcus finished his sentence, the school secretary Matthew Lynch suddenly cut in and said,
“Of course, she''s changed! She''s be even prettier than before.”
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Sophia had never been a shy and reserved person, and she was even more outgoing now with age.
She knew that Matthew was only saying so in order to break the ice and ease up the conversation, so
she replied good-naturedly, “You''re the same too, Mr. Lynch! You always know just how toplement
us girls.”
Sophia was one of Jadeborough University''s brightest students, and she returned today as an
aplished alumnus. Naturally, the school higher-ups treated her pretty enthusiastically.
As for why Sophia had shown up with Alexander and not Joshua, all the higher-ups knew better than to
ask about it since it could potentiallynd them in an awkward situation.
“Sophia, Mr. Xenos, we should head into the hall now.”
Marcus had promised Sophia that he wouldn''t allow the paparazzi to harass them.
After all, Alexander showing up at Jadeborough University''s anniversary was a rather interesting piece
of news to the reporters. Marcus also felt like it would have been a great opportunity to promote and
raise awareness about the school, but he had already promised Sophia beforehand. As an educator,
he couldn''t possibly set a bad example and go back on his word.
They entered the reception area. Since it was the school''s anniversary, all of the students knew about
Sophia and Joshua''s return. However, the hall could only hold about three thousand students, while the
actual student poption was well over fifty thousand. Thus, the student body had to figure out how to
distribute the tickets amongst themselves.
Those students who failed to snag a ticket but still wanted to catch a glimpse of the Jadeborough
University goddess, Sophia, were moring outside the windows. If Marcus hadn''t prepared for it
beforehand, Sophia would probably already have been swarmed before stepping on stage.
Marcus personally led Alexander and Sophia to the reception area. Soon enough, the secretary and
the other higher-ups brought Joshua in as well.
Sophia nced at him, and they nodded at each other casually by way of a greeting.
There was still about half an hour before the actual speech, so both Marcus and Matthew stayed
behind to apany the three.
Sophia and Joshua were both alumni of Jadeborough University and had plenty of things to talk about,
but since Marcus was afraid that Alexander would feel left out, he quickly introduced Joshua to him.
Marcus had no idea that Alexander already knew who Joshua was.
Still, the two of them pretended not to know each other and introduced themselves under Marcus''
guidance.
Sophia watched them and smiled as she picked up the coffee pot on the table. “Mr. Rubin, let''s see if
my coffee brewing skills have improved since my school days.”
Matthew was preparing to make the coffee but retracted his hands at Sophia''s words.
Marcus nced at Sophia. “That sounds great. It''s been four or five years since you graduated, yet you
haven''t visited us since! Presents aren''t enough to win me over at this point!”
Despite his words, his tone was still jovial and light. He turned to look at Alexander. “Mr. Xenos, what
do you think of such a student?”
Alexander looked at Sophia, who was still brewing the coffee. His dark eyes flitted around momentarily
before he replied, “I bet Sophia still remembers all of you. She still sends gifts every year, right?”
Marcus chuckled. “She wasn''t a people person even when she studied here, so I don''t me her either
way. When I retire, you and Joshua had bettere to visit me more often!”
Sophia finished brewing the coffee and poured a cup for Marcus. “Okay! After you''ve retired, I''lle
and y chess with you whenever I''m free.”
Marcus loved ying chess. He had been the one to teach Sophia how to y chess, but he was a
stubborn yer and liked to cheat asionally while ying. If he didn''t win, he would jokingly call for
a rematch.
Even though Sophia hadn''t returned to Jadeborough University for a few years, she was still grateful to
Marcus for all the care and support he gave her back then.
She didn''t return to visit simply because she was afraid of causing trouble for the school. After all, the
incident that had happened that year was simply too much of a mess.
The more peaceful and rxed the atmosphere was inside the reception area, the more chaotic and
excited people were bing outside the hall.
Marcus hadn''t expected Alexander to show up, so he was starting to feel a little bit conflicted about the
schedule of the event. He wasn''t sure where he could arrange for Alexander to give a speech.
As things were already mostly prepared, it was almost time for the speeches to begin. Some teachers
approached Marcus and asked when they could start.
He nced at Alexander. “Mr. Xenos, we''ve arranged for both Sophia and Joshua to give a speech as
alumni. Would you prefer to listen to them or hang out with this old man for a bit?”
Alexander had only attended for Sophia, and he subtly confirmed so as he replied, “I''d like to hear
about Sophia and Mr. Lewis'' secrets to sess as well. Please don''t feel the need to give me any
special treatment. I''m fine with any seat in the hall.”
Naturally, Marcus also wanted to watch his two brightest alumni share their stories onstage and were
more than happy with Alexander''s reply. “Please follow me, Mr. Xenos.”
Marcus led Alexander into the hall and toward a VIP seat while a teacher brought Sophia and Joshua
onstage.
Sophia was dressed in a simple white dress with a cinched waist. It was formal yet simple and
gracious. Paired with her hair, which was styled in big waves that fell smoothly down her back, she
looked pure and serene.
The stage was far from where the students were sitting, so most of them actually couldn''t see Sophia
too clearly. However, the moment her slim and pale legs that practically outshined her dress stepped
onstage, all the female students began to squeal.
“It''s Sophia, my goddess! She''s so gorgeous. Her legs are to die for! How can they be so slim, long,
and fair at the same time?”
“How is she so perfect? Her neck and corbones are so graceful! She could even make a trash bag
look good! I can barely look at her without staring.”
Sophia had just sat down when someone in the audience called out, “Sophia! I''m your biggest fan!”
That cheer started off a whole chorus of cheering and shouting. “Sophia! I love you!”
“Sophia! You''re my goddess!”
Before the speech had even begun, the whole audience was already in an uproar.