Afterward, Henry sent She a message.


    [Miss She, I''m sorry. I couldn''t get my mom to stay. She came home, but left again.]


    By now, dinner was winding down. Even if Jessica rushed over at this point, it would be toote.


    [Henry, oh... don''t me yourself. It''s my fault. If I hadn''t stayed at your house so long, your mom wouldn''t keep staying away.]


    Reading her message, Henry grew anxious and quickly typed back.


    [Miss She, does this mean you won''te see me anymore?]


    [Of course not! I just think it''s a little inconvenient going over to your ce. But if you want to see me, how about I pick you up after school tomorrow and youe to my ce instead? Would that be alright?]


    Henry''s reply was instant and thrilled.


    [Absolutely! I''d love that.]


    Everyone understood that Mr. Smith needed to adjust to the time difference, so the dinner didn''tst much longer.


    As things wrapped up, Timothy prepared to drive Mr. Smith to his hotel, but Vince stood up first. "Timothy, you''ve got a family waiting at home. Go on, I''ll take Mr. Smith to his hotel."


    Jessica''s ns were still uncertain-if she didn''te home tonight, Henry would be alone, aside from the housekeeper. It wasn''t quite the same as having Jessica there, and Timothy knew he''d feel better if she were.


    He let Vince take over without protest. After Vince and Mr. Smith left, Ines also made her way out.


    Soon after, Yates Bryant and Kane were saying their goodbyes.


    Kane was giving She a ride home.


    Throughout dinner, Timothy had probably decided that it wasn''t the right time to discuss business-Mr. Smith had justnded, and it was hardly appropriate to bring up casting decisions. So, the topic of roles never came up.


    Mr. Smith needed a good night''s rest, and Timothy wasn''t likely to contact him again tonight. That conversation would have to wait until tomorrow.


    It wasn''t a big deal, anyway.


    Jessica hadn''t shown up, and Mr. Smith seemed noticeably disappointed.


    It wouldn''t be easy to arrange another meeting with Mr. Smith on short notice.


    She had no intention of pushing Timothy any further and risk upsetting him, so she agreed to let Kane drive her.


    The four of them stepped out of The Silverthread Eatery together.


    Just as they reached the entrance, they nearly collided with Jessica, who''d hurried over.


    Timothy''s lips curled into the faintest of smiles.


    Kane didn''t know Jessica well-and besides, she''d stolen the man She liked.


    He didn''t have any particr fondness for her.


    Yates, on the other hand, looked momentarily surprised.


    "Jessica, what are you doing here at The Silverthread Eatery sote? You look


    like you''re in a hurry. Are you here for Timothy?"


    She was still the first to speak to Jessica, but Jessica ignored her.


    Jessica nced at She, then at Timothy.


    The two of them, together at The Silverthread Eatery.


    Now it all made sense. She hadn''t been wrong.


    Timothy really had gone out of his way for She''s career-even managing to find


    out exactly when Mr. Smith would arrive in Riverside City.


    Jessica''s expression cooled as she looked away.


    "I''m going home."


    Timothy reached out, trying to catch her by the wrist.


    But Jessica moved quickly, striding past him and into the restaurant.


    He caught nothing but air, his outstretched hand left awkwardly suspended for a moment.


    His gaze darkened. He withdrew his hand, slipping it into his suit pocket, and turned to the others. "You all go on ahead."


    With that, he strode into The Silverthread Eatery after her.


    Kane didn''t want She to feel ufortable, so he led her to his car, calling out, "Yates, let''s go."


    "I''ll have a smoke," Yates replied, wanting to wait for Timothy.


    Kane waved at him, then revved the engine and sped off in his ridiculously shy pink convertible.


    Meanwhile, at the elevator, Timothy caught up with Jessica and blocked her path.