Chapter 57 - 57: When He Was Drunk

"Absolutely."

Ryan ordered a few dishes for them all to share.

Sophia assumed that it might take a while for them to get their food as the restaurant was so busy, but everything came surprisingly quickly.

Once the food had begun to be served, another waiter appeared with a bottle of wine. Sophia had no idea when Ryan had ordered it.

Without asking for Pearson's agreement, Ryan poured him a glass of wine and said with a smile, "I'll drive, Mr. Pearson, so you can drink freely. There is nothing to worry about."

Then, he turned to Sophia, "Do you drink, Miss Green? Would you like some wine?"

Sophia shook her head, "No, thank you!"

Albert Pearson said nothing, but picked up his wine and drank slowly.

Throughout the meal, Ryan kept him topped-up. After several glasses, Pearson's face had grown reddish, and yet Ryan kept pouring.

Sophia had known Albert to be a non-drinker. How could his habits have shifted so quickly in just a few months?

Ryan hardly ate. When he felt that Pearson had drunk enough, they got up and announced that he had to use the bathroom and left them alone.

Sophia thought Ryan was odd but didn't think too much about it. She was quite full and ready to leave.

"Mr. Pearson, I have to go." she stood up.

Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist. Albert Pearson was looking up at her with a faint smile, "Ms. Green…"

Sophia was stunned. Ms. Green, he said… Was she…It was the way he had talked to her before, in her different life.

"What are you talking about?" Sophia struggled a little, but she could not get away. Pearson's grip was too strong for her to release herself.

As quickly as he had grabbed her wrist, he let her go and smiled again, "Ms. Green, you are dressed so strangely today!"

Sophia looked down at the clothes she wore. It was just her school uniform.

Pearson continued, "Actually, I never like calling you Ms. Green. But I'm afraid you will get angry if I use your name."

"I won't be angry," Sophia said.

Albert suddenly cheered up, "Well, may I call you Sophia? I want to call you that, Sophia. I want to ask you…"

He stared at Sophia and said, emphasizing each word, "Would you like… a man younger than you?"

Sophia didn't know what to say.

Pearson continued, "And… if a man is not as smart as you, would you automatically dislike him?"

Sophia still stayed silent.

She really shouldn't have let him drink so much. When he was drunk, he just seemed to talk nonsense.

Pearson sighed, "You really… dislike…"

As he spoke, he suddenly passed out on the table.

It was a while before Ryan Sampson came back. As he saw the situation, his face suddenly turned a little pale.

"Mr. Pearson, you weren't meant to fall asleep!" Sampson lifted Albert up and supported him on his shoulder. He smiled at Sophia, "I'm sorry, Miss Green. I have to take Mr. Pearson back."

"Sure."

Ryan looked at the unconscious Pearson, he was disappointed in him and whispered, "I just wanted you to get some Dutch courage, flirt a bit! You weren't meant to pass out on the poor girl."

Suddenly, Pearson stretched out his arm and caught Ryan by the neck.

Ryan suddenly got goosebumps all over his body, "Mr. Pearson, you don't…love me, do you?"

Pearson said vaguely, "Love…"

Ryan felt uncomfortable.

He couldn't work out what was going on with his boss at the moment.

Looking at the back of Sophia Green, who had walked out of the restaurant, he still thought there was a chance for the pair of them.

***

The next day, Ms. Acheson had an announcement in her math class.

"There is a Mathematical Olympiad Contest in October. Only one student in our school can attend it. Good math students can fill out a registration form to sign up for the contest. Sophia, as our math representative, you must count the number of people in our class who want to sign up for the contest. After the second period, go to the director's office to get the application forms and tests from Director Bull. When the forms are filled out, just hand them back to Director Bull."

After class, some students came to Sophia to sign up, but there were not many, only six or seven people. Sophia had no intention of signing up. She wasn't interested in this kind of competition. As soon as she finished her second class, she decided to go to Director Bull to pick up the registration forms.

Molly followed her, "I'll come with you!"

Sophia was puzzled, "I can pick up a form for you. You don't need to come."

"I want to fill the form in first!" Molly insisted.

Sophia didn't want to argue with her. Molly was a very proud person, and she wanted to get hers in ahead of everyone else. Sophia knew that very well and allowed her to follow as she didn't want to waste any time arguing.

They arrived at Director Bull's office and saw two people talking to Director Bull about something.

"No. It will distract students' study! Absolutely not!" Director Bull's tone was firm.

"But it would also help improve students' thinking ability!" A man was still trying to convince him.

"Mr. Watson?" Molly said as she walked up and recognized one of them.

Watson turned around and saw them. He smiled and said in French, "It's you… What a coincidence! We meet here again."

Molly didn't know how to reply.

She couldn't follow his words.

The man who came with Mitch was Toby. Last time, Mitch couldn't find the chess master in school, nor had he devised a new plan to find out who it might be.

"Maybe this particular player only likes to participate in tournaments. She isn't in the school group," Toby said confidently, "so, if we hold a chess competition at Colin High School, maybe she'll show up!"