That''s how reciprocity works.


    Ines wasn''t the type to refuse easily, so she agreed.


    Timothy stood up and said, "Please,e with me."


    Jessica, unable to leave the vi and uninterested in meeting Timothy''s guest, made her way down to the basement.


    The basement housed the collection room.


    Inside, Timothy''s precious treasures were disyed-rare items he''d collected over the years.


    Jessica rarely came down here, but the ce was always spotless. She only checked in during the damp season to make sure nothing was getting musty; she never paid much attention to the objects themselves.


    Her heart and mind were filled with thoughts of Timothy-these items were just his trappings, things that added to his aura.


    She didn''t want them, nor did she envy them.


    The only thing she wanted-greedily, desperately was for Timothy to love her.


    With nothing else to do, she wandered among the disys, letting her eyes linger on the items.


    Suddenly, she heard footsteps.


    It was unmistakably Timothy''s stride.


    And another set-his guest.


    Whenever there were guests at home, Jessica always tried to stay out of sight. She''d heard Mabel mention that Timothy sometimes showed his collection to visitors-sometimes to sell, sometimes as a gift.


    asionally, people would bring things to sell to Timothy as well.


    Jessica slipped into a small storage room nearby, hiding herself away.


    Timothy led Ines into the collection room.


    The moment Ines stepped in, she was visibly stunned.


    Rumor had it that Timothy Lawson was a man of impressive means, but seeing this in person was a revtion.


    The entire hall was understated but luxurious, filled with treasures disyed with exquisite taste-paintings, antiques, gold and silver jewelry, artisan crafts- everything arranged with an impable eye.


    "Ines, feel free to pick whatever you like."


    Jessica''s eyes widened in shock.


    Timothy''s guest today was Ines!


    Thank God she''d hidden herself.


    Otherwise... If Ines saw the state she was in after getting married, Jessica knew she wouldn''t be able to face her.


    "President Lawson''s generosity is well known. Many people would love to work with you-and now I see your reputation is well deserved," Ines said, her familiar voice carrying into the shadows.


    Jessica bit her lip so hard it hurt, her eyes filling with tears.


    Ines was, besides her grandmother, the person who''d always been best to her.


    Now Ines was only a few steps away, and she couldn''t even muster the courage to say hello.


    Ines wasn''t particrly materialistic, but the beauty of these antiques held her attention.


    Timothy, an expert in such matters, apanied Ines through the room, giving detailed exnations.


    He paused in front of a disy and remarked, "Some of these old techniques have already vanished. If there''s no one to carry them forward, they''ll disappear for good. Of course, without innovation, even tradition gets left behind."


    Ines smiled. "Are you trying to tell me something, President Lawson?"


    "Ines, you''re perceptive-so I''ll be direct. She has studied animation since she was a child and has spent the past few years honing her craft abroad..."


    Jessica''s heart sank as she listened.


    Timothy really was pulling out all the stops for She.


    Last night he''d gone to fetch her, brought her home, and now had locked her in the house-all to host Ines, to persuade her to take She on as a student.


    If she''d known the guest was Ines, she would have cooked a proper meal, weed her warmly.


    But Timothy only wanted her to help for She''s sake.


    He went on,vishing praise on She.


    Finally, he concluded, "International animation is still far ahead of what we have here, but the local scene is catching up. She has mastered both international techniques and local styles-I believe she could create something truly unique by blending the two. What do you think, Ines?"