Seven years ago, Ines''s star pupil created a graduation project so impressive that even today, many seasoned producers would struggle to achieve such results.


    Mr. Smith had been waiting quite a while and was understandably growing impatient.


    His mother was from Verdantia, and fluent in the Verdantiannguage, so he replied to Ines immediately.


    "How about tonight? I''ll be dining at The Silverthread Eatery in about twenty minutes. Why don''t you bring your student and join me there?"


    "No problem, I''ll contact her right away."


    Mr. Smith put away his phone, the weariness in his pale blue eyes vanishing in an instant.


    "Tim, I have two friends-would it be alright if they joined us for dinner?"


    "Of course," Timothy replied.


    At that moment, Ines was texting Jessica.


    "Jessica, are you there?"


    "I''m here."


    Ines quickly exined that Mr. Smith had arrived in the country and wanted to meet her at The Silverthread Eatery.


    "Jessica, get ready. He''ll be at The Silverthread Eatery in twenty minutes. Let''s head over as soon as we can."


    The thought of meeting Mr. Smith soon made Jessica''s heart race with nerves.


    She hadn''t finished preparing everything she wanted to show him.


    She only had six months—a rare and invaluable opportunity that she was determined to seize.


    Luckily, she''d put together a short, original character animation that afternoon. It wasn''t perfect, but it would give Mr. Smith a good sense of her current abilities.


    "Okay, Professor. I''m heading out now."


    Seeing Jessica reply so decisively made Ines happier than words could express.


    Jessica saved the freshly finished animation onto her phone, grabbed her bag, and hurried out the door.


    Meanwhile, Timothy apanied Mr. Smith to The Silverthread Eatery.


    She, Kane, Yates, and Vince had already arrived.


    That morning, Vince had managed to annoy Timothy, but Timothy still invited him along.


    After all, Mr. Smith was here to attend the Zimmerman family''s birthday banquet, and petty squabbles between friends couldn''t be allowed to get in the way of business.


    The Bryant Group was heavily involved in film and media, and Yates was a film investor who''d known Mr. Smith for years.


    Timothy was hoping Mr. Smith might consider She for an animation role, so he wanted to make a good impression and show hospitality.


    He figured being surrounded by familiar faces would help Mr. Smith feel at home in a new country.


    Having spent years in the West, Mr. Smith was naturally warm and outgoing. Seeing so many acquaintances, he greeted them all with enthusiasm.


    She had worked on one of Director Smith''s earlier animated projects, and Mr. Smith greeted her with a friendly hug.


    Once everyone was seated, Mr. Smith smiled and said, "Tim, you really know how to make people feel wee. Thank you."


    Timothy nodded politely.


    Vince spoke up, "Timothy, maybe we should order? Mr. Smith just got off a ne -he must be hungry."


    "Let''s wait a moment-he''s expecting two more friends."


    "Right," Mr. Smith added quickly. "Two very important friends."


    Yates looked curious. "I thought you''d never been to Riverside City before. You have important friends here?"


    Mr. Smith''s sharp, Western features broke into a smile. "Yse, I haven''t met one of


    them in person yet, but she''s very, very important."


    Vince grinned. "Now you''ve really piqued our curiosity."


    Outside the entrance of The Silverthread Eatery, Ines paused and sent another message to Jessica.


    "Jessica, where are you now?"