Director Ford smiled faintly.

"CEO Lawson, I’m a bit curious. What is your relationship with Sophie Hughes?"

Inside the storage room, Noelle Sutton’s expression darkened.

’She was quite eager to hear how Tristan Lawson would explain his relationship with Sophie Hughes.’

"She’s my aunt."

Noelle Sutton’s fingertips curled.

’It seems my guess was correct.’

In fact, Director Ford had previously seen the video taken when Tristan Lawson and Sophie Hughes were stopped by the paparazzi.

Tristan Lawson had given the media the same answer back then.

"I didn’t realize your aunt was so young."

"Yes. We share a birthday."

Noelle Sutton’s expression froze.

For the past seven years, Tristan Lawson was never home on his birthday.

The first year, he was on a business trip.

Noelle Sutton missed the chance to celebrate with him.

The second year, she spoke with Tristan Lawson in advance, hoping he could clear his schedule on his birthday so she could spend it with him.

Women tend to place great importance on their loved one’s special occasions.

Noelle Sutton was filled with anticipation.

However, Tristan Lawson poured cold water on her hopes, telling her not to worry about his birthday.

After that, she never mentioned Tristan Lawson’s birthday again.

Every year on Tristan Lawson’s birthday, after putting Joshua Lawson to sleep, she would make a cake, write a birthday message, and silently light the candles and sing "Happy Birthday" all by herself.

Since Tristan Lawson never celebrated his birthday, she hadn’t celebrated hers for the past seven years either.

Director Ford thought for a moment and said, "Let me think about it."

"Great. I look forward to hearing good news from you."

As Tristan Lawson went to such lengths for Sophie Hughes, Noelle Sutton could feel that the director was starting to waver.

After all, she had refused the first time.

The second time, she was willing to consider it.

That was a shift.

Noelle Sutton, however, wasn’t particularly surprised.

Director Ford was a titan in the animation world.

But Tristan Lawson represented immense capital.

And when Tristan Lawson set his mind on something, he would always find a way to get it done.

It was understandable that Director Ford was wavering.

Offending such a powerful backer would do her artistic ambitions no favors.

That afternoon, she went online to search for animation-related news. Sophie Hughes had participated in many animated productions, had classic representative works, and had collaborated extensively with the internationally renowned animation director, Smith.

That already placed her at the very top of their industry.

Besides having a powerful backer like Tristan Lawson, Sophie Hughes also had real talent, making her more than qualified to be Director Ford’s final disciple.

In the end, Director Ford didn’t choose any of the collectibles from Tristan Lawson’s storage room.

"Director Ford, you won’t accept a single piece?"

Tristan Lawson raised an eyebrow.

Refusing the check and the gifts was a testament to Director Ford’s unimpeachable character. The more she acted this way, the more difficult Tristan Lawson felt his task would be.

Of course, a mentor like that was all the more worth winning over for Sophie Hughes.

"Just give me one of young Joshua Lawson’s books of cartoon paper-cut illustrations. I’m very fond of his work."

"Alright."

Noelle Sutton’s eyes grew moist.

’My mentor... she hasn’t given up on me...’

Noelle Sutton heard the footsteps fading away, but she remained in the lounge, sitting stunned and unmoving for a long time.

Tristan Lawson chose an illustration book from Joshua Lawson’s room and gave it to Director Ford.

"CEO Lawson, thank you for your hospitality tonight. It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you any longer."

Director Ford was still a little disappointed she hadn’t seen Noelle Sutton this time.

Her exhibitions were always advertised; if Noelle Sutton were paying any attention, she would have known about them.

She had even come to Noelle Sutton’s home today, yet Noelle hadn’t appeared.

Director Ford more or less understood.

’Noelle Sutton doesn’t need a career.’

’Such an outstanding husband and son are her career.’

From now on, she would no longer entertain the fantasy that Noelle Sutton would return to the world of animation.

Tristan Lawson personally saw Director Ford to her car, only heading back into the villa after it had driven away.

Director Ford noticed these details from inside the car.

’He’s a good man.’

’As long as Noelle Sutton is happy, that’s all that matters.’

Seeing Tristan Lawson had seen his guest off, Mrs. Miller approached him. "Sir, I couldn’t find Ma’am."

Hardly had Mrs. Miller finished speaking...

Tristan Lawson saw Noelle Sutton.

His cool, languid gaze fixed on Noelle Sutton.

Noelle Sutton walked forward, looking completely dejected.

Mrs. Miller followed Tristan Lawson’s gaze, turned, and saw Noelle Sutton.

She immediately excused herself.

Noelle Sutton stopped in front of Tristan Lawson, lifting her tear-filled eyes to meet his.

The corners of her eyes were tinged with a faint pink.

Tristan Lawson pressed his thin lips together, his voice deep and cold. "Where have you been?"

Noelle Sutton didn’t speak. She averted her gaze and walked toward the study.

Tristan Lawson subconsciously followed her.

With extreme calm, Noelle Sutton took the divorce papers she had already drafted out of a drawer and handed them to Tristan Lawson.

Tristan Lawson stared at the stark words "Divorce Agreement" on the white paper, his handsome face growing increasingly frosty.

"Don’t you find this tiresome?"

Noelle Sutton put down the divorce agreement and signed firmly, "I. Want. A. Divorce."

’She was done with this kind of life.’

’Her heart, once able to tolerate anything for the sake of loving him, had finally been stretched past its breaking point.’

A humorless smile touched Tristan Lawson’s lips, the curve of them thin and cold. His gaze rested on her. "Give me a reason. Why do you want a divorce?"

"I’ve already told you," she signed in response.

Tristan Lawson took a step forward, his tall frame looming over her. His voice was low and gentle, as if coaxing her. "Didn’t I already explain it to you? Why are you still acting this way?"

He noticed her bangs had fallen into her eyes and reached out to brush them aside.

But she took a step back, avoiding his hand.

Tristan Lawson’s hand froze in mid-air. He clenched it into a fist before lowering it, then took another step forward.

He advanced on her, step by step.

Until he had backed Noelle Sutton against the desk.

He placed his hands on her waist and, with a slight effort, lifted her onto the desk.

His long, straight legs trapped hers in between.

With his hands braced on the desk on either side of her, he had Noelle Sutton completely encircled.

They were so close their breaths intermingled.

Noelle Sutton lowered her head, her hair falling forward.

Tristan Lawson narrowed his eyes as her long hair threatened to cover her face. With his index finger, he gently and skillfully tucked a strand behind her ear, revealing the small, delicate shell of it.

"I’ve been traveling so much because work has been genuinely busy. I apologize, okay?"

His voice was already low, husky, and pleasant to hear, and now it carried a sincere tone. If she wasn’t careful, Noelle Sutton felt she could easily be deceived by this facade of his.

"I don’t need it," she signed.

She gestured quickly, trying to wave away the confusion in her mind.

The corner of Tristan Lawson’s mouth quirked. ’She’s still angry.’

’Come to think of it, in their seven years of marriage, he couldn’t recall ever seeing her angry.’

’She had always been gentle, always accommodating.’

’A little more emotion, however, made her seem more vibrant.’

So he had no intention of getting angry with her.

His intention was to placate her, after all.

He gently tipped her chin up, pecked her lightly on the lips, and said in a low, trembling voice...