Chapter 263: Chapter 264 Impossible Chemistry

SOPHIA’S POV

The ballroom remained unusually quiet after I finished speaking.

A few moments earlier, several people had been questioning whether I belonged there. They had looked at me as though I were an outsider who had somehow wandered into the wrong room.

Now, the atmosphere had changed. Nobody was laughing anymore. Nobody was making comments about my background or my interrupted education.

I sat calmly in my chair, refusing to show how nervous I actually felt.

The truth was that my heart was beating hard against my ribs. I wasn’t used to standing in front of so many influential people.

For years, my life had revolved around my home, my marriage, and Ashley. Standing in a room full of respected doctors and researchers still felt strange.

Beside me, Lance looked proud.

His eyes remained on me for several seconds before he offered a small smile. It wasn’t a smile filled with pity or sympathy. It was the smile of someone who genuinely respected me. Somehow, that made me feel stronger.

Across from us, Zade looked as though he wanted to challenge anyone who dared criticize me again.

His arms were folded across his chest. His expression remained cold and intimidating. Several people who had been making comments earlier were now carefully avoiding eye contact with him.

I almost smiled.

Trust Zade to look like he was preparing for a war at a medical dinner.

"Well." Professor Archer’s deep voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

The professor slowly rose from his seat.

The room seemed to straighten automatically. Conversations stopped. Every eye turned toward him.

My stomach tightened.

Professor Archer was the most respected people in the room. His opinion carried a whole lot of weight.

The professor looked around the ballroom before finally settling his eyes on me. A warm smile appeared on his face.

"I think everyone has underestimated Miss Sophia." He said.

A wave of whispers immediately spread throughout the room. Several people exchanged uncomfortable looks. Others looked confused.

The professor continued speaking "I’ve been observing her for quite some time."

My eyes widened in shock. What was he doing?.

The room became even quieter. Nobody interrupted him.

"When I first met Sophia, I immediately noticed something unusual." He continued "Talent."

The word echoed through the room. everyone looked shocked.

I froze.

For a moment, I wasn’t even sure I had heard him correctly.

The professor smiled. "Many people believe talent is measured only by certificates and awards but I disagree."

The room remained completely silent.

Professor Archer pointed toward me "Talent is determination. Talent is persistence. Talent is refusing to give up when life repeatedly knocks you down."

I felt my throat tighten.

Without warning, memories flooded my mind. I remembered all my years of sacrifice, the years spent supporting Damien, the nights studying after everyone had gone to sleep, the countless moments when I had doubted myself.

Suddenly all of it felt very real.

The professor looked directly at me. Then he said something that completely stunned the room.

"I have already reserved a PhD position for Sophia."

My eyes went even wider. All I felt in that moment was shock.

For several seconds, nobody reacted. It was as if the entire ballroom had forgotten how to breathe.

Then the whispers exploded.

"What?"

"A PhD position?"

"Professor Archer personally reserved it?"

"Is he serious?"

The room instantly filled with shocked voices.

I sat completely frozen. My mind had gone blank.

A PhD position reserved for me.

I stared at Professor Archer. I couldn’t even find the words to respond.

The professor chuckled softly "Judging by your expression, I assume you weren’t expecting me to announce it publicly."

A few people laughed.

My cheeks warmed.

"No," I admitted quietly "I wasn’t."

The professor smiled "Good."

More laughter followed. The tension in the room finally began to ease yet the shock remained.

I could see it everywhere.

The same people who had questioned me earlier were now staring at me like they were seeing an entirely different person. Their attitudes had changed completely.

Beside me, Lance quietly squeezed my shoulder.

I looked at him.

His eyes were filled with pride "I told you that you belonged here,"

I swallowed hard "Thank you."

"You earned this, Sophia."

Across the room, Damien stood completely still. His eyes never left me. The announcement had stunned him just as much as everyone else.

Meanwhile, Tiffany looked as though she had swallowed poison. Her smile had completely disappeared. Her fingers tightened around her wine glass.

The dinner continued, but everything felt different now.

Guests who had ignored me earlier suddenly approached our table. Doctors introduced themselves. Researchers asked about my interests. Several professors congratulated me personally.

The sudden change was overwhelming. Still, I forced myself to remain calm and professional.

Professor Archer remained nearby throughout most of it. Whenever someone seemed doubtful, one glance from him immediately settled the matter.

His support was obvious. And because of his reputation, nobody questioned it.

As the evening progressed, more conversations formed around our table. Several guests began discussing medical research with me. Others asked about my future goals.

For the first time in years, I found myself speaking openly about my dreams.

Lance remained beside me through every conversation.

Whenever someone interrupted me, he redirected the discussion back toward me.

Nearby, Zade remained just as attentive, although his approach was entirely different. Where Lance was calm, Zade was protective.

Every time someone stood too close to me, Zade suddenly appeared. Every time a conversation lasted too long, he somehow found an excuse to interrupt.

At one point, he handed me a glass of water.

I looked up "Thank you."

His eyes softened "You need to stay hydrated."

I laughed quietly "You’re impossible."

A grin appeared on his face.

"That’s what everyone keeps saying."

The warmth in his expression made my heart skip unexpectedly. For a brief moment, neither of us looked away.

The chemistry between us felt impossible to ignore.

Then someone called my name and the moment ended.

Now, the atmosphere had transformed entirely.

Nobody questioned whether I belonged there anymore. Nobody mocked my background. Nobody looked down on me.

Instead, they respected me.

For the first time in a very long time, I wasn’t being introduced as Damien Stone’s wife. I wasn’t being identified through someone else.

I was simply Sophia - a future researcher, a future PhD candidate and a woman with her own future. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

As I stood surrounded by people who finally saw my worth, I felt hope.

It wasn’t the hope I had during my marriage. It wasn’t the desperate hope that Damien would someday choose me.

This was different. This was hope for myself.

And for the first time in years, that felt like enough.