Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Her Focus Should Be on the Family

First, it was Director Ford who had shown his admiration and high regard for Noelle Sutton. Now, after Mr. Smith sought out Noelle, his every word conveyed that he also considered her a rare talent, his tone full of lavish praise.

Noelle Sutton’s very existence was already a huge emotional blow to Sophie Hughes. She never expected that in her career, a single opportunity—like the last straw—would pin her down so completely, leaving her with the suffocating feeling of being unable to recover.

The elegant expression she had so carefully maintained nearly collapsed in an instant. The confident arch of her dark brows trembled like a snapped string, her crimson lips faded to a dull, rusty color, and the once-natural curve of her mouth tightened into a stiff, mechanical smile.

She had arrived so happy for her interview with Mr. Smith, never imagining this would be the outcome.

Tristan Lawson’s brow furrowed, and his gaze darkened.

’Director Ford is Noelle Sutton’s mentor, so his appreciation and approval might be biased. But Mr. Smith? He doesn’t know Noelle. He judged her solely based on her work. And they both agree that she has incredible talent for animation.’

’In fact, ever since seeing Noelle’s animated version of *A Renaissance Cityscape Painting*, he knew she possessed a talent and flair that Sophie Hughes simply lacked.’

’It was just that when he’d asked her about getting a job back then, she had flatly refused.’

’She knew full well that he was arranging Sophie Hughes’s career path. And yet, she went behind his back and started planning to get a job again.’

’She was deliberately defying him.’

’So what if she was talented in animation? Could the money she earned in that industry ever compare to what he made in a single day?’

’She was his wife. It was enough that he was out there earning money. Her focus should be on the family.’

’He and their son needed her care in their daily lives.’

’Too many men had taken an interest in her recently. There was no way he could let her go out and make a public appearance, attracting all sorts of admirers.’

’Especially since Smith himself seemed taken with her. How could he possibly feel at ease letting Noelle work for him? Westerners were quite open in their relationships; the ethical and moral constraints that bound Easterners in matters of the heart simply didn’t exist for them.’

’And Noelle was so gentle and frail. He absolutely couldn’t rest easy.’

’As for animation, he had no problem if she wanted to treat it as a hobby. But to take it seriously and throw herself into it completely? Impossible!’

Tristan Lawson spoke, his voice cold and heavy. "Smith, I understand your eagerness to recruit new talent. But Noelle has been married to me for seven years and has never held a job for even a year. Are you sure she can handle this kind of work?"

Before Smith could reply, Director Ford chuckled. "Of course she can. It’s like learning to ride a bicycle—once you know how, you never forget. She might be a bit rusty at first, but it won’t take her long to get back into the swing of things. It’s her innate talent for design and conceptualization that’s truly special. That’s something others could never hope to match in a short amount of time, no matter how much they master the technical skills."

Director Ford was unabashedly partial to the student he had personally mentored.

Tristan Lawson could acknowledge Noelle’s talent, but he refused to believe that her animation work was truly that impressive.

’If she were really that good, would she have been content to stay at home, unknown, for the past seven years?’

"Tristan, what Director Ford said is true, and I’m sure you understand. It’s like your own sharp eye and strength in the business world. No matter how hard many people try to learn, they can never reach your level of achievement. That kind of innate ability creates a deep, uncrossable gulf."

Sophie Hughes finally couldn’t take it anymore. Casting aside her composure, she suddenly stood up and said, her voice strained, "Director, Mr. Smith, my throat is bothering me today, so I can’t speak much. I won’t disturb your discussion. Please excuse me."

Tristan Lawson finally turned to look at Sophie Hughes. The whites of her eyes were bloodshot.

His features tightened instantly. ’Director Ford and Smith were so busy praising Noelle that they completely ignored Sophie.’

’And all that talk about talent—wasn’t that just another way of saying that no matter how hard Sophie tried, she could never surpass Noelle?’

’What an arrogant thing to say!’

’He, more than anyone, knew how hard Sophie had worked over the years.’

After giving a slight bow of apology to Mr. Smith and Director Ford, Sophie Hughes hurried away. Tristan Lawson rose to his feet and followed, his tone coolly polite. "Since our views are clearly at odds, let’s leave it here for now. Sophie twisted her ankle today, and I’m not comfortable with her going home alone. I’ll see her out. Please, take your time and enjoy your meal. I’ve already had my secretary settle the bill."

With that, Tristan Lawson also strode away.

Smith shrugged helplessly and turned to Director Ford. "What do you think that was about? I get the feeling he’s not very keen on his wife taking this role."

Director Ford pulled his gaze from Tristan Lawson’s retreating figure, a smile touching his lips. "Your feeling is correct. Sophie Hughes is his elder, isn’t she? So why does it seem like he’s the one always looking out for her?"

Smith had also lived in Aridia, as had Sophie Hughes, so he knew a little about the situation.

"Sophie Hughes is his younger aunt, that’s right, but they’re the same age—born on the same day, even. Tristan is so brilliant that Sophie naturally can’t do much to help him, so it only makes sense that he’s the one looking after her. I also heard that Sophie once nearly died saving him, so Tristan is deeply grateful to her."

This was what Smith had heard.

"Ah, so that’s how it is," Director Ford said. "Mr. Smith, I do apologize. It seems I misread the situation entirely, which caused you to get it wrong as well. How are we going to resolve this?"

"It certainly won’t be easy to resolve. I’ll have to think of something."

Tristan Lawson caught up with Sophie Hughes at the entrance of Myre River Pavilion. When he pulled her toward him, he saw her eyes were completely red, with tears clinging to her lashes.

Tristan Lawson’s heart clenched. For a man who was always so composed, a flicker of panic suddenly crossed his handsome face.

Sophie was a lady impeccably raised by the Hughes family; she almost never lost her composure in public.

’For her eyes to be this red,’ he thought, ’their words must have hit her hard.’

"Don’t take what Director Ford and Smith said to heart. They just don’t understand the situation."

Sophie Hughes gave a bitter smile. "Tristan, you don’t have to comfort me. I understood them perfectly. They made it crystal clear: Noelle is a rare genius in animation, and no matter how much effort I put in, there will always be a deep, uncrossable gulf between us."

"Nonsense." Tristan gripped Sophie’s shoulders. "If talent were all that mattered, why do the old sayings warn that a child prodigy doesn’t always grow into a great adult? It’s perseverance that turns an iron rod into a needle. Hard work is an essential part of success, and I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked. Don’t sell yourself short. The role in Smith’s new movie is just a supporting part. It’s not worth wanting."

But that wasn’t how Sophie saw it.

’If she gave it up, it would fall right into Noelle Sutton’s hands.’

’And that would be the same as admitting she had lost to her.’

"Tristan..."

She still wanted to fight for it.