But most of his attention toward her had started that night at the Red House, the moment he learned she was Timothy''s wife.


    Was it really just that? The idea that Timothy had formed-was it because he was too sensitive, or was there something in his own demeanor, something he hadn''t even noticed, that was truly out of line?


    Jessica gged down a cab on the street and headed to the coffee shop where she''d arranged to meet.


    She arrived just as Ines did, and the two walked inside together.


    Ines immediately began apologizing for the misunderstandingst time.


    Jessica, honestly, didn''t mind at all.


    Neither Ines nor Mr. Smith knew there was any conflict between her and Timothy. They weren''t even aware of Timothy''s favoritism toward She, so they simply assumed Timothy had been advocating for Jessica tond the role, and thought it was perfectly normal.


    They found a booth and sat down together to wait for Mr. Smith''s arrival.


    Mr. Smith, wanting to avoid stepping on Timothy''s toes, had arranged to meet with him beforeing in.


    Timothy knew Jessica would be meeting with Mr. Smith. Normally, he would have avoided seeing her, but this time he decided toe along. He was genuinely curious-what exactly made Jessica so impressive that both Ines and Mr. Smith were so eager to work with her?


    It wasn''t long before Mr. Smith and Timothy arrived.


    Earlier that day, Timothy''ste mother''s keepsake had been damaged, and now Herbert and Vince were meddling in his marriage. A cold, tense aura clung to him as he walked in, as if the temperature in the coffee shop dropped a few degrees.


    The tables were rectangr, and Jessica and Ines were seated together in a booth along one side.


    Mr. Smith, ever the gentleman, took the seat across from Ines.


    Timothy sat down directly facing Jessica, his gaze icily sweeping over her.


    Ines sensed the strange tension-like a couple who''d just had a fight.


    Trying to lighten the mood, Ines smiled and said, "Mr. Smith, there''s an old saying where I''m from-good thingse to those who wait.


    After all these twists and turns, you finally get to meet Jessy in person."


    Mr. Smith smiled politely at her. "It certainly has been a journey, but I''m d for the surprise."


    Jessica wasn''t sure what to say, so she simply nodded to Mr. Smith with a gentle smile.


    Since Jessica was Timothy''s wife, Mr. Smith treated her with extra kindness.


    "Mrs. Lawson, my mother was from Riverside City as well-I know a little about your country''s culture. Lately there''s been an explosion of


    animation design, and your


    to me. It had such a unioavel.ne


    graduation project really stood out


    traditional ir; I''m a big fan of your work. Have you created anything newtely?"


    Jessica pulled out her phone and found the short animation she''d made especially for this meeting. She handed her phone to Mr. Smith.


    From her research, Jessica knew the


    character Mr. Smith had been


    searching for was a mermaid.


    Mermaids have always been wrapped in mystery, the subject of endless imagination. Over time, countless versions had emerged, but most people had a fixed image of what a mermaid should look like. Mr. Smith hadn''t found the right person to design her yet-probably because he wanted something


    entirely new.


    So Jessica broke away from the ssic image-a beautiful, enchanting woman


    with a fish''s tail—and reinvented the mermaid from her own perspective.


    Mr. Smith pressed y. Within moments, the transformation of the mermaid''s appearance drew him inpletely.


    He stood up, excitement lighting up his face.


    This-this was the mermaid he''d been searching for!