Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Sophia Shaw Is Nothing But a Rat in the Gutter, Forever Unable to Rise

He knew without asking that she hadn’t heard a single word he’d just said.

Levin Sawyer was long past being surprised by Sophia Shaw’s ability to drop into a state of intense focus anytime, anywhere.

Back when they were still working for their professor, they had gone out of town for an experiment when an earthquake suddenly hit.

Everyone ran for their lives.

After a headcount, they realized Sophia Shaw hadn’t made it out.

Everyone panicked, at one point thinking she must have been crushed under the rubble.

But when they went back to find her, they discovered her sitting perfectly still in front of her computer in the half-collapsed office, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

People ran over and asked why she didn’t run. She looked up, bewildered. "I just thought of an improvement and was looking into it. Why should I run?"

She hadn’t known there was an earthquake. She hadn’t even noticed the building had collapsed!

After that, the professor, afraid she would get into trouble due to her intense focus, specifically assigned them to the same team and told him to keep an eye on her.

A flash of resignation crossed his eyes. Levin Sawyer decided not to disturb her any longer.

He walked out carefully and closed the door behind him.

The satellite rideshare service was met with great enthusiasm as soon as it launched in Cathan.

Several companies had already signed up for the rideshare service.

Since this was Lead Aerospace’s first time offering such a service in Cathan, Crestfall City Hall took it very seriously, organizing a meeting with several major companies to discuss the details.

Sophia Shaw and Levin Sawyer arrived early that morning at the luxurious conference room arranged by Crestfall City Hall.

Before long, the heads of the major companies participating in the rideshare arrived as well.

"President Sawyer."

"President Shaw."

Levin Sawyer and Sophia Shaw’s satellite rideshare service had slashed launch costs to a third of the original price, making them nothing short of money-saving godsends to the various corporations.

Everyone was respectful and grateful toward the pair, and their attitudes were impeccably courteous.

The minutes ticked by.

Two seats remained empty.

Someone asked the official in charge, "Can the meeting begin?"

The official glanced at his watch. "Just a moment. The head of one of the auxiliary support companies hasn’t arrived yet."

The satellite rideshare project was massive. For safety’s sake, the government had brought on a company at the last minute to handle non-critical tasks.

To put it bluntly, their job was to assist Lead Aerospace with miscellaneous work.

The official had barely finished speaking when two figures, one in black and one in white, appeared.

Sophia Shaw looked up to see Vincent Grant, dressed in a black suit, and Joanna Sherman, in a white one, walking in side by side.

Vincent Grant had been confined for several days. A hint of weariness lingered beneath his brows, but it did nothing to diminish his noble air.

If anything, the lines of his face seemed even sharper and more defined.

Joanna Sherman wore a blazer with three-quarter sleeves, her small heels CLICK-CLACKING on the floor. Her curly hair bounced behind her, giving her an air that was both sharp and alluring.

Anyone who saw the two of them would have to admit they were a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Vincent Grant gave a slight nod to the official and quickly sat down with Joanna Sherman in the empty seats.

One corner of Sophia Shaw’s placid brow arched slightly as she glanced at Levin Sawyer.

Levin Sawyer shook his head.

He had known they were looking for a subcontractor to assist with the launch, but he had never expected it to be Grant Horizon.

While Grant Horizon wasn’t on par with Lead Aerospace, it wasn’t so far behind that it needed to stoop to doing auxiliary work for others.

For them to do this was tantamount to lowering their own status.

Sophia Shaw gave a faint smile.

’Vincent Grant has always been a high-profile person, always taking the lead.’

’The only person who could make him lower himself like this is Joanna Sherman.’

’He’s really willing to do anything to help Joanna Sherman get a leg up.’

Sophia Shaw was amazed to find that facing this situation now didn’t hurt at all. Instead, it was like watching strangers involved in something that had nothing to do with her.

A complete outsider.

She didn’t look up, but she could still feel a gaze fixed on her.

It was domineering and intense, wrapping around her layer by layer.

The pen between her fingers suddenly slipped and fell onto the table.

"What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Levin Sawyer asked with concern.

He leaned his head toward her. From Vincent Grant’s perspective, the two of them looked like they were practically touching.

The gaze fixed on Sophia Shaw grew even more intense.

"No." Sophia Shaw picked up the pen and squeezed it.

’I liked Vincent Grant for too many years. It’s inevitable that I’d have a conditioned response.’

’When he occasionally pays attention to me, my heart races and I get especially nervous.’

’It doesn’t mean anything.’

"Let’s begin the meeting."

The official announced opportunely.

Only then did the intense gaze withdraw.

After the meeting, Vincent Grant and Levin Sawyer were asked by the official to stay behind.

Sophia Shaw went to the site with the others.

Once they arrived, Joanna Sherman took the initiative to explain the main components of the auxiliary project.

Her stunning appearance, clear voice, and exceptionally lucid explanation immediately won everyone over.

"Miss Sherman has built rockets, after all. Her expertise is impressive."

"For a woman to lead a project like this is incredible."

"Even though it’s a support role, this is Cathan’s first-ever satellite rideshare launch. To be chosen by the government means they’re definitely not to be underestimated."

The praise was endless.

Everyone was genuinely impressed by and admired Joanna Sherman.

Sophia Shaw had never liked being the center of attention. She remained silent, no matter how much those around her praised Joanna Sherman.

Her mind was busy envisioning the launch site, searching for any potential problems that might have been overlooked.

"Miss Shaw."

"Miss Shaw?"

It wasn’t until someone had called her name several times that Sophia Shaw looked up, her dazed eyes meeting Joanna Sherman’s provocative stare.

"Miss Shaw is the project lead?" Joanna Sherman asked, holding up her work manual, her cool face etched with condescending doubt.

Sophia Shaw gave a quiet "Mm," and said, "That’s me."

"From my undergraduate studies to my Ph.D., and then to launching rockets, I’ve worked in this industry for at least six or seven years, but I’ve never once heard of Miss Shaw."

Joanna Sherman’s suspicious gaze was undisguised. "Is it really appropriate for Miss Shaw to be the project lead?"

Joanna Sherman cultivated an external persona of a talented intellectual—cool and aloof, like a snow lotus on a high mountain.

So, when she pointed out Sophia Shaw’s supposed shortcomings so bluntly, no one suspected any ill intent. They all just assumed it was her straightforward nature.

Only Sophia Shaw could see the provocation in her eyes.

"Does Miss Shaw know anything about rockets?"

"Do you know how difficult and important this project is?"

"Everyone is spending hundreds of millions to launch these satellites. How exactly does Miss Sophia Shaw plan to successfully get them into orbit?"

Joanna Sherman’s tone was aggressive as she fired off a series of questions.

"I know your relationship with President Sawyer is unusual. We don’t care if you want to be his parasite, but you can’t joke around with everyone’s money!"

"Miss Shaw, what you’re doing is worse than a Vampire!"

Sophia Shaw finally understood.

Joanna Sherman was getting public revenge for a private grudge because Sophia had previously called her family bloodsuckers.

Originally, no one really knew Sophia Shaw. Seeing she was the person in charge appointed by Levin Sawyer, they didn’t ask too many questions.

But now, after hearing Joanna Sherman’s barrage of questions, they all started to worry.

"What kind of joke is President Sawyer playing? Why would he put someone without professional qualifications in charge? Isn’t that just gambling with our money?"

"Miss, we don’t care what your relationship with President Sawyer is, and we don’t want to. But we’re spending real money here. We’re not here to be a backdrop for your lovely romance. Please do us a favor and step down. Don’t cause trouble!"

After tearing into Sophia Shaw, they turned around and lavished praise on Joanna Sherman.

"Thank goodness Miss Sherman spoke up for justice. Otherwise, our losses would have been huge."

"Miss Sherman is both talented and brilliant. If you ask me, she’s the one who should be the project lead."

"I agree."

Joanna Sherman watched the incensed crowd with satisfaction, lifting her chin high right in front of Sophia Shaw.

Sophia Shaw ignored Joanna Sherman’s provocation. She picked up her pen and continued to write and sketch in her notebook, refining the idea she’d had earlier.

’An idea is priceless. It would be a great loss to let it slip away.’

Seeing her like this, everyone assumed she was acting fearless and arrogant because she had Levin Sawyer backing her.

The commotion grew even louder.

"If President Sawyer doesn’t replace her, we’ll cancel the contract immediately!"

"Let’s see if he chooses her or the project!"

Having finished her last stroke, Sophia Shaw slowly raised her eyes. Her gaze was placid as she parted her lips to speak.

"Of course, I choose her!"

Before she could get a word out, Levin Sawyer’s voice cut through the air.

He walked in with a dark expression, his anger barely concealed.

’Sophia Shaw has been racking her brains for them, day and night.’

’And what do they do? They fall for Joanna Sherman’s provocations at the drop of a hat.’

’Fine. If they don’t want the billions she’s saving them, they can just go launch their high-priced satellites.’

"President Sawyer, we haven’t said anything wrong," one of the company heads said, dissatisfied. "Launching a satellite is no small matter. We just want a safe and successful launch."

His words immediately received unanimous agreement from the crowd.

"Zenith is only an auxiliary unit, but they sent their chief engineer. And Miss Sherman has actually launched a rocket before."

"We all just heard her. Miss Sherman knows every procedure like the back of her hand."

"We’re not asking for much. We just want a professional to handle this. That’s not too much to ask, is it?"

"..."

’Their unity is their strength. Even if Lead Aerospace holds all the cards, this isn’t something Levin Sawyer can decide on a whim!’

’When Crestfall City Hall gets involved, they’ll surely consider me, the more qualified candidate.’

’This project lead position is mine!’

Joanna Sherman looked at Sophia Shaw, her thoughts a silent taunt:

’Sophia Shaw, you’re destined to be nothing but cannon fodder in this life, trampled under my feet.’

’Being despised and cast out—that is your destiny!’

’So what if you have Levin Sawyer protecting you?’

’A rat in the gutter will never see the light of day!’