Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Misunderstanding, It’s All a Misunderstanding

Tristan Lawson knew how Director Smith operated. During their call last night, Smith had mentioned he was waiting for someone, but as a friend, Tristan hadn’t planned on pressuring him too much.

Tristan Lawson took a sip of his coffee. "Aren’t you going to wait for that person you mentioned?"

Smith was still cheerful. "No need. I trust you. You know my standards; you wouldn’t just set me up with anyone."

"That’s true."

After all, Sophie Hughes was fairly well-known in the animation design world. He knew the role wasn’t for a protagonist, so it shouldn’t pose any difficulty for her.

"Then it’s settled. Let me know when you’re free, and we can arrange a meeting to discuss the specifics."

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and he had to return to the family estate. "How about tonight?"

"Perfect! It’s a deal. Tonight at Myre River Pavilion. My treat."

After parting ways with Tristan Lawson, Smith sent a message to Director Ford, telling him that he had spoken with Tristan and they had all agreed to have dinner at Myre River Pavilion that evening.

After all, Noelle Sutton was Director Ford’s student, and he had approached Director Ford about this in the first place. It only made sense to invite him. Besides, Director Ford was also experienced in animation production, which would facilitate their discussion.

After receiving the message, Director Ford called Noelle Sutton, but her phone was off.

However, since Smith had already coordinated with Tristan Lawson, he figured Tristan would naturally bring Noelle Sutton with him that evening.

So, Director Ford didn’t worry too much about getting in touch with her.

Noelle Sutton had intended to contact Director Ford, but with the Mid-Autumn Festival the next day, she wanted to return to her hometown to pay respects at her mother’s and grandmother’s graves.

The Mid-Autumn Festival wasn’t just a time for reunions, but also an important time for honoring the deceased.

For the past seven years, she had devoted all her time and energy to the Lawson family, following their customs and traditions. She never had the chance to return to her hometown.

’Thinking about it now, I feel so unfilial.’

This Mid-Autumn Festival, she would not be waiting on the Lawsons, nor would she accompany them to honor their ancestors.

In the afternoon, Noelle Sutton turned her phone on, booked a high-speed rail ticket, and headed home.

To avoid having Tristan Lawson call her back for the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner, she turned her phone off as soon as her ticket was checked.

However, Tristan Lawson never contacted her.

After meeting with Smith, Tristan Lawson told Sophie Hughes that Smith had agreed.

Sophie Hughes said that after work, she would go home to change before heading to Myre River Pavilion. Since Tristan Lawson had secured this role for her, it was essentially an interview with Director Smith, and she wanted to make a formal impression.

Therefore, as soon as Tristan Lawson got off work, he drove directly to The Orchidelle to pick up Sophie Hughes.

Sophie Hughes had timed it so she would arrive five minutes early.

To her surprise, Smith was already there when they arrived.

Smith had arrived even earlier than them because he held Noelle Sutton in high regard.

’Although Noelle Sutton had stood him up last time, Director Ford had explained it was because her child was throwing a tantrum and demanding his mother’s return, even threatening to jump off a building. Director Ford had to practically force her to go home. Noelle herself, he was told, was very eager to get this role.’

Smith knew Sophie Hughes was Tristan Lawson’s aunt, so it was perfectly normal for them to arrive together.

Just as Smith was about to ask Tristan Lawson why his wife hadn’t arrived, Director Ford showed up. Smith got caught up in greeting him and didn’t get the chance to ask.

However, as soon as Director Ford sat down, he immediately asked Tristan Lawson.

"Tristan, where’s Noelle? Why isn’t she here?"

Smith’s gaze snapped to Tristan Lawson; he was also anxious to know why Noelle wasn’t there yet.

Tristan Lawson raised an eyebrow, his long fingers resting on the tabletop. "What would she be doing here?" he asked nonchalantly.

Director Ford’s expression changed abruptly. "Didn’t you ask Smith for a role?"

Smith chimed in, "Yeah, weren’t you trying to pull some strings with me to get me to save the role for you?"

Listening to them, Sophie Hughes felt a rush of elation, knowing Tristan Lawson was going to all this trouble for her. She just didn’t understand why Tutor Ford and Smith were so surprised, let alone why they were asking about Noelle Sutton.

’What did this have to do with Noelle Sutton? Tristan had been arranging this role for *her* from the very beginning.’

This left Tristan Lawson just as confused. "I did ask Smith for a role, but what does that have to do with Noelle Sutton?"

Director Ford grew anxious. "You weren’t getting it for Noelle Sutton?"

A flicker of shock passed through Tristan Lawson’s dark eyes, and his jaw tightened. "When did I ever say I was getting the role for Noelle Sutton? She hasn’t worked in seven years. How could she possibly be qualified for one of Director Smith’s animated productions?"

"So, who did you get the role for?" Smith stared intently at Tristan Lawson.

At this moment, Sophie Hughes’s expression had turned utterly grim.

’Director Ford and Smith both thought the role Tristan Lawson wanted was for Noelle Sutton!’

’In their hearts, they both wanted to give the role to Noelle Sutton.’

Tristan Lawson didn’t notice Sophie Hughes’s reaction. She rarely asked him for anything.

The great fire years ago had been his fault. In her attempt to save him, Sophie Hughes had inhaled so much smoke that she’d lost her voice and almost never spoke again.

He could never turn his back on anything Sophie Hughes needed.

"I got it for Sophie Hughes."

Tristan Lawson’s voice was low and firm.

"This..." Director Ford felt a headache coming on. "It’s a misunderstanding. A complete misunderstanding. This is a mess. Smith came to my studio today and said he wanted to see Noelle as soon as possible. He said because you’d asked him for a role, he felt that if he couldn’t get an answer from Noelle soon, he’d have to give in to your request, given your relationship. Back in Cygnus, you agreed to let Noelle work, so I just assumed you two had already discussed it..."

Director Ford’s brow furrowed deeply. "And another thing. The night Smith first arrived in Glenwater, Noelle promised me she would return to her career, no matter the obstacle. She desperately wanted a chance at the role in Smith’s film. She met me at the entrance of this very restaurant, Myre River Pavilion, but then your son called. He demanded she come home immediately, even threatening to jump off a building if she didn’t. That’s why she was forced to leave. She was fully prepared to seriously contend for this role. It’s all my fault. I’m the one to blame. I assumed she had told you, and that you were asking Smith for the role to support her."

In one breath, Director Ford laid out the cause and effect of the whole situation clearly.

Tristan Lawson’s brows knitted together. That night, he hadn’t heard anything about Joshua throwing a tantrum to make Noelle come home. When he’d gotten back, Joshua was already asleep, and Noelle wasn’t home yet.

The light in his eyes dimmed. He turned to Smith. "So because of all this, you also assumed the role I wanted was for Noelle Sutton."

Smith nodded. "About half a month ago, I stumbled upon her graduation project. After making some inquiries, I learned she was one of Director Ford’s students. I’ve been looking for her, waiting for her ever since. Tristan, she is genuinely talented. The moment I saw her work, I knew she was the person I was looking for. The person *I* want is her. She’s your wife. Are you telling me you’re not willing to support your wife’s talent and passion?"