"No problem. Go ahead."


    Vince agreed without a second thought.


    Jessica quickly typed her message on her phone.


    "Don''t let him know I''m living here."


    Seeing those words, Vince''s smile deepened.


    He gave her an OK sign.


    Jessica finally felt her nerves settle. She couldn''t fight Timothy''s power alone, but at least she could lean on someone else for help.


    She had no idea what kind of friendship Vince and Timothy shared, but it was obvious Vince wasn''t afraid to go up against him.


    That was all she needed.


    She didn''t need much time—just a month. After that, the divorce would be final, and Timothy would be out of her life for good.


    Vince didn''t press her for details. Once Jessica agreed to attend the Zimmerman family''s birthday dinner, he simply said his goodbyes and left.


    Stepping out of the small apartment, Vince nced back at the closed door and couldn''t help but smile to himself.


    This was going to get interesting.


    Night fell.


    The evening air was gentle, tinged with a cool autumn breeze-just the right temperature, and a hint of excitement in the air.


    At the airport, Timothy greeted Mr. Smith. For She''s sake, he''d arranged a wee dinner,plete with the usual crowd of guests and friends.


    Of course, there had to bepany for the guest of honor.


    Two nights ago, after Timothy lost his temper and smashed a ss, Kane was still nursing his own anger. He hadn''t intended to show up that evening, but She had insisted, practically dragging him there by the arm.


    It was no secret that of Timothy''s closest friends, Kane was always the most loyal to She.


    As for Yates and Vince...


    When they were younger, Vince''s little sister and She had never gotten along, while Yates''s father and Vince''s father had been army buddies-bonded for life. Yates had even been promised to Vince''s sister as a child, a sort of family arrangement; whether it wouldst into adulthood was anyone''s guess, but as a boy, Yates had always taken Vince''s sister''s side.


    And Vince-well, that was his own sister, after all.


    The Howard family had an academic pedigree. Even after her adoptive father left his professorship to go into business, their household kept its old traditions. She was raised with all the etiquette and polish expected of someone from a wealthy family. Add her connection to Timothy, and it was only natural that Yates and Vince treated her with more consideration than most.


    But it still couldn''tpare to her friendship with Kane.


    She needed Kane—he''d do anything for her, no questions asked.


    Just like the other night: when Vince discovered Jessica was Timothy''s wife, his expression changed so fast it could have been a scene out of a stage y. Yates tried to keep Kane from saying too much, but Kane didn''t care whether Timothy would be upset-he stood up for She anyway.


    On the drive from the airport, Mr. Smith received a message from Ines.


    [Mr. Smith, I heard you arrived in the country today. I wanted to let you know some good news-my student is willing to consider the role in your new film. Let me know when you''re free and we''ll set up a meeting.]


    Mr. Smith''s pale blue eyes lit up.


    The movie''s release date was fast approaching, and he still hadn''t found the right lead. He''d been waiting for Ines''s reply for ages, but she always dodged the question and never gave him a straight answer.


    Not long ago, he''d seen a web post where Ines introduced an illustrated edition of "The Grand Canal, Venice," and realized the artist he''d been hoping for was Ines''s star pupil. She''d recently gotten married, so it seemed unlikely she''d return to work. Part of Mr. Smith''s trip was to see if he could find another artist with a simr style.


    But if Ines''s protégé wasing out of retirement, that would be perfect.


    Mr. Smith and Ines were both veterans in the animation world; it only took one look for them to recognize real talent.