She couldn''t take any more. Pride forgotten, she abruptly stood up, her


    difort obvious. "Professor, Mr. Smith, I''m sorry, but my throat''s really sore today. I shouldn''t talk too much and distract you from your discussion. I''ll head out first."


    Only then did Timothy look over at her he noticed the red tinge spreading across the whites of her eyes.


    His features tightened instantly, but Ines and Mr. Smith were too busy showering Jessica with praise to even notice She''s distress.


    Especially the way they kept going on about Jessica''s "talent”—didn''t that mean that no matter how hard She worked, she''d never measure up? That was a bit much, wasn''t it?


    Of all people, Timothy knew how hard She had worked over the years.


    She offered Mr. Smith and Ines a brief, apologetic nod, then hurried away. Timothy rose after her, his tone cool but polite. "Since we clearly don''t see eye to eye, let''s leave it here for now. She twisted her ankle today; I''d rather not let her go home alone. I''ll walk her out. Please, take your time with dinner-I''ve already asked my assistant to settle the bill."


    With that, Timothy followed She out.


    Mr. Smith just shrugged helplessly and turned to Ines. "What''s your read on Tim? I get the feeling he''s not exactly thrilled about his wife taking on this role in my film.”


    Ines, her gaze still lingering on Timothy''s retreating figure, smiled faintly. "You''re not wrong. But She isn''t actually his wife-she''s his aunt. Strange, isn''t it, how he always seems to be the one looking out for her?"


    Mr. Smith nodded, recalling what he knew about She from their shared circles at Aetherion. "Yeah, She''s his aunt, but they''re the same age and even share a birthday. Timothy''s aplished so much, it''s hard for She to help him, really. He''s always been the one looking out for her. I heard once that She almost lost her life saving Timothy, and he''s never forgotten it."


    "That exins a lot. Sorry, Mr. Smith, I guess I misunderstood things today—and dragged you into it as well. How do we fix this?"


    "Honestly, I''m not sure. Let me think about it."


    Outside The Silverthread Eatery, Timothy caught up with She and gently took her arm. Her eyes were bright red, and tears clung to hershes.


    Something twisted inside Timothy. Usually soposed, he suddenly looked a little lost.


    She, the perfect Howard family daughter, never lost herposure in public. Seeing her like this, it was clear just how deep those words had cut.


    "Don''t take what Ines and Mr. Smith said to heart," Timothy said softly. "They just don''t know the whole story."


    She managed a bitter smile. "Timothy, you don''t have tofort me. I heard them loud and clear. Jessica''s apparently some prodigy in animation—no matter how hard I work, there''s a gulf between us I can never cross."


    "Nonsense." Timothy gripped her shoulders. "If talent were all that mattered, why do people say that early genius doesn''t guarantee greatness? Hard work matters just as much—maybe more. I see how much you give, every single day. Don''t sell yourself short. Besides, this role in Mr. Smith''s new film is just a supporting part. It''s not the end of the world if you let it go."


    But She didn''t see it that way.


    If she let this go, Jessica would get it.


    Which was the same as admitting defeat.


    "Timothy..."


    She wanted to fight for herself, just a little longer.