Chapter 135: Chapter 135: I Don’t Want You Anymore, I Can’t Wait to Dump You

Noelle Sutton didn’t use the traditional mermaid design with a fishtail. While Western fairy tales describe mermaids who can transform their tails into legs, they must endure excruciating pain to do so.

The mermaid Noelle Sutton designed had two long, straight legs. She wore a mermaid-style ring on her finger and a matching necklace around her long, fair neck. The eyeshadow was cleverly applied in a style that evoked a fishtail.

Her dress was crafted from an iridescent, white, fish-scale patterned, openwork gauze, giving it an ethereal and flowing quality. The skirt trailed to the floor, ending in a fishtail hem.

Flowers bloomed with every step she took.

Except, they weren’t just any flowers—they were bleeding roses.

Despite her human form, it was clear at a glance that she was a mermaid.

By focusing on these nuanced details, Noelle Sutton had broken the mold of the typical, cookie-cutter mermaid design.

This kind of innovation was a crucial element in the evolution of animation.

Technical skill in animation was one thing, but Smith placed a high value on novelty and originality in the creative process.

Only something truly fresh and new could leave a lasting impression.

Smith didn’t care if he offended Tristan Lawson. If Tristan were to pull his funding, Smith knew that with his current reputation, plenty of international film investors would be lining up to back his movie.

Smith immediately extended an invitation to Noelle. His voice was filled with excitement, making his already-unsteady Mandarin even harder to understand. "Miss Lawson, I’ve made my decision! You will be in charge of designing this entire character! If you’re willing to join my team, I’ll grant any request you make, as long as it’s within my power!"

Worried Noelle might refuse, Smith quickly added, "By the way, I heard from Director Ford that you weren’t born mute, but developed aphasia due to trauma. You’ve always wanted to be able to speak again, right? I have a very good friend who has spent the last seven years researching acquired aphasia. He’s worked tirelessly and has finally made a major breakthrough. I can introduce you to him. I’m sure he can cure you!"

Tristan Lawson suddenly snatched the phone from Smith’s hand.

’He was curious to see what kind of design could get Smith this worked up.’

Noelle froze when she saw Tristan take her phone, but then she went still, not reacting further.

’The doctor Smith mentioned was probably the same one Wyatt Yates had told her about.’

’She had already started treatment, so there was no need to trouble Smith for an introduction.’

’She was determined to take on this role.’

’As for anything else, she had no special demands. The standard procedure would be fine.’

Noelle used sign language to tell Director Ford that she accepted. She would take this role. She *had* to.

Director Ford translated Noelle’s signs for Smith.

Hearing that Noelle had agreed, Smith said, "Excellent. I’m planning to fly back home the day after tomorrow. This film is already in post-production, so we’re on a very tight schedule. I’ve been waiting a long time to find the right person to design this character. Miss Lawson, get ready. You’ll leave with me the day after tomorrow."

Tristan Lawson was an investor, so he had already read Smith’s script.

’Noelle probably hadn’t read the script, but the character she designed was already a perfect fit for the mermaid in his film.’

’She was clever and highly innovative.’

’Technically, her skills were solid, and she had a unique style all her own.’

’Sophie Hughes had also designed a look for this character and had even asked for his opinion on it.’

The contrast made Director Ford’s assessment of Noelle all the more striking.

’Talent!’

’Brilliance!’

’Even though she hadn’t worked in seven years, the work she produced was in no way inferior to that of Sophie Hughes, who had been active in the industry for all that time.’

’And Sophie Hughes was already considered one of the top talents in the field...’

’If Noelle were to suddenly burst onto the animation scene, Sophie would probably have a much harder time reaching the very top of the industry.’

’Noelle had laid low for seven years, never showing the slightest ambition for a career.’

’But on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had clearly been bothered by what happened between him and Sophie.’

’So, all this fuss she was making ever since Sophie came back... it was all because of jealousy and envy!’

’She wanted to compete with Sophie!’

Tristan’s anger about Noelle breaking his mother’s heirlooms subsided considerably.

’What a silly girl.’

’He’d even told Sophie before that Noelle was his legal wife. If a marriage certificate couldn’t give her a sense of security, she was being utterly foolish.’

’Women’s minds really are narrow.’

’She had him. Why did she need to compete with Sophie?’

Tristan Lawson handed the phone back to Noelle.

Just as Noelle took the phone, Tristan spoke, his voice low and heavy. "You want to go abroad, and you’re not even going to discuss it with me?"

A tremor went through Noelle’s fingertips.

Tristan’s words instantly made the atmosphere tense.

Director Ford, for her part, wasn’t in a hurry to see the design. She had faith in Noelle. If Smith was impressed, she knew there was nothing to worry about.

Before Noelle could respond, Smith had already jumped in. "Tristan, your wife is a rare talent in the animation world. Trust me. If she comes to Aridia, I’ll look after her and make sure no harm comes to her. I’m even willing to mentor her and help her launch an international career!"

’Smith had already been smitten with Noelle at Old Master Sterling’s birthday banquet. If he agreed to let Smith ’take care’ of her, what kind of man would he be?’

"She didn’t discuss this with me," Tristan stated. "I won’t be agreeing to her going abroad."

With that, Tristan stood up abruptly, walked over to Noelle, and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to her feet. His voice was sharp as ice. "You’re coming home with me!"

"Tristan Lawson!" Director Ford shot to her feet as well. She took a deep breath, reining in her emotions, and spoke in a placating tone. "For seven years, Noelle has poured all her energy into your family. Your son is six years old now; the household chores shouldn’t be as demanding. Why won’t you give her a chance to shine in her career? Do you want her to be your accessory for the rest of her life? She clearly has the talent to prove herself!"

’Noelle wanted to go abroad.’

’She didn’t want him or their son. She would be on her own.’

’Nothing could hold her back.’

’Tonight, she would lay out all the evidence of Tristan’s emotional affair. She had a lawyer, who could help her gather even more proof. She could come back when it was time for the court hearing.’

’Tristan didn’t love her. At first, she thought getting a divorce would be easy.’

’So she had focused all her energy on the divorce, planning to pursue her own ambitions after it was finalized.’

’But when it actually came time to get the divorce, she realized just how powerless she was after seven years as a full-time housewife.’

’Worse, with only a few months left to live because of the cancer, she hadn’t even dared to think about reviving her career.’

’But now, she refused to let herself be wronged any longer.’

’So what if it was only a few months? She would face her career and her illness with courage. She would no longer wait pessimistically for death.’

’Once abroad, she could take advantage of Aridia’s more advanced medical technology. She could get a check-up and see if there was any hope for a turnaround with her cancer.’

’This feeling of being shackled was suffocating.’

Noelle yanked her hand free from Tristan’s grasp. Her eyes were as cold as frost. She raised her hands, her signs sharp and clear. "In all these years, when have you ever asked for my consent before doing something? What right do you have to make demands of me? Where I go is my freedom. I don’t need your permission!"

Her fingers paused for a moment, then her signs and her gaze grew even more resolute. "I’ll say it again. I want a divorce. I don’t want you anymore. I can’t wait to be rid of you, so stop clinging to me like some sticky plaster I can’t scrape off!"