Phoebe’s question was something Tracy hadn’t really considered before.


    Back when she was at the Angelic Etiquette Academy, she didn’t even know if she’d make it through those two years, so thinking about the future wasn’t really an option.


    Now that she was finally out, all she wanted was to get through each day. Working long shifts in the back of the restaurant, she didn’t have the energy to dream like she used to.


    Phoebe immediately noticed the confusion and sadness in Tracy’s eyes, and it felt like someone had squeezed her heart.


    <i>When </i>I <i>first </i><i>took </i><i>Tracy </i><i>in </i><i>as </i><i>a </i><i>mentee</i>, <i>her </i><ist </i><i>name </i><i>was </i><i>still </i><i>Jackman</i><i>. </i><i>Back </i><i>then</i><i>, </i><i>she </i><i>talked </i><i>about </i><i>dreams </i><i>and </i><i>the </i><i>future </i><i>with </i><i>bright </i><i>hope</i><i>. </i><i>How </i><i>did </i><i>she </i><i>change </i><i>so </i><i>much</i><i>? </i>


    Phoebe gently took Tracy’s hand. “Kid, your painting talent is the best I’ve ever seen. Don’t give it up so easily.


    “Before you left for abroad, I showed your work to Ms. Nicholls. She loved it and wanted to meet you. Too bad you left so suddenly, or I would’ve told you sooner.”


    Jane Nicholls was a famous painter known for her orthodox style. Many people learned about domestic culture through her art. She was highly respected in the art world.


    If Tracy had heard this before, she’d have been so excited she couldn’t sleep. But now, she just felt nervous and scared.


    <i>Painting </i><ies </i><i>from </i><i>the </i><i>heart</i>.


    <i>But </i><i>my </i><i>heart </i><i>isn’t </i><i>the </i><i>same </i>as it <i>was </i><i>two </i><i>years </i>ago.


    <i>Still</i>, <i>I </i><i>really </i><i>love </i><i>to </i><i>paint </i><i>… </i>


    Tracy didn’t refuse Phoebe’s kindness. “Don’t worry. I’m not giving up painting.”


    It had been her true love since she was a kid. Only while painting did she feel a calm peace inside.


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    So no matter what, she wouldn’t quit. But maybe she’d never get that same old feeling back.


    Phoebe saw there was still something unsaid, and her heart tightened again.


    She always felt this new Tracy was different, though she couldn’t say exactly how.


    But as long as Tracy didn’t quit painting, Phoebe believed her talent would keep her shining.


    “Alright, as long as you don’t give up.” She patted Tracy’s hand. “Is your contact info still the same? If you need anything,e to me anytime. You’ll always <i>be </i>my student.”


    Phoebe truly valued Tracy’s talent. If Tracy gave up painting, it might be her biggest regret.


    After Phoebe’s strong encouragement, Tracy finally added a second contact to her phone.


    They talked a while longer before saying goodbye.


    But they didn’t know their parting had been watched by a group nearby.


    “Isn’t that Professor Dinwiddie? Today is Erin’s graduation party. She gave up being Erin’s mentor when Erin hadn’t done anything wrong. So why is she here now?” someoneined.


    “I invited Professor Dinwiddie,” Erin quickly exined. “She was my mentor once. On a day like this, I want to share my happiness with her.”


    Phoebe had brought up the giarism scandal over the past two years, even causing Erin to be the first student ever pushed out without making a mistake.


    So on a day like today, Erin wanted her to see what kind of student she missed.


    The girl who spoke earlier linked her arm with Erin’s. “Erin, you’re way too soft. If it were me, I wouldn’t just re at that woman–I’d give her hell!”


    Erin smiled gently. “Professor Dinwiddie has always liked Tracy. I understand her.”


    Though she said that, her expression clearly showed she felt hurt.


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    Then another girl spoke up. “Speaking of Tracy, didn’t the person with Professor Dinwiddie just now look exactly like her?”


    That girl was Winona Miller, known in Cloudville for openly disliking Tracy.


    Since Erin came back, Winona was the loudest, mocking Tracy for stealing someone else’s ce.


    Erin nced at her, her smile softening. “Yeah, that was Tracy. She came back just over a month ago. I even threw a wee party for her at Sometime Hotel. But, you know, something happened in the end…”


    The wee party was for Tracy’s old friends, but today’s guests were Erin’s ssmates and alumni. The Jackmans and the Dunns both ordered silence about the Sometime Hotel incident, so very few knew about it.


    Hearing Erin speak about it made everyone curious.


    Erin told the whole story, her voice full of pain. “I really wanted to wee Tracy back, but she seemed to hate it. She showed up wearing worn–out, cheap clothes and said I wasn’t sincere.


    “Simon got angry and tried to stand up for me, asking her to apologize. But I don’t know what Simon said that set her off. She suddenly lunged at Simon, hitting and biting him, and Simon ended up in the hospital.”


    Sept.


    09:05 Wed, 3 Sept O