Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Willing to Compromise for Her This Once

Noelle pursed her lips.

It seemed Tristan Lawson was worried that her reentering the workforce would influence Director Ford’s decision.

’He was really overthinking things.’

’She had cancer and didn’t have long to live. Even if she wanted to, she simply didn’t have the strength.’

When Director Ford heard Tristan Lawson’s question for Noelle, she wondered if he was willing to let Noelle return to work.

As it happened, this was the very topic she’d wanted to raise, so she got straight to the point. "CEO Lawson, since you’re both here, this is a perfect opportunity. I wanted to ask for your thoughts. After all, Noelle has a family to consider now, and if she returns to work, she’ll need their support. I truly hope she can rejoin the animation industry. A designer with her talent deserves to have a brilliant career. CEO Lawson, if Noelle is willing to come back to work, will you support her?"

Sophie Hughes’s heart twisted into a knot.

’I’m right here, yet Director Ford isn’t showing me any consideration at all. Everything she’s saying, one way or another, points to her wanting Noelle.’

’How am I supposed to endure this!’

Sophie glanced at Tristan Lawson, her mind in a turmoil, worried he would side with Noelle.

Tristan Lawson didn’t answer Director Ford directly. Instead, his gaze softened as he looked at Noelle. "Noelle, you still haven’t answered me. Do you want to go back to work?"

Director Ford also looked at Noelle expectantly, hoping she would agree.

However, Tristan Lawson’s persistent question sent a chill through Noelle’s heart.

’She knew Tristan would never let her go back to work.’

’She’d brought it up after they were married.’

’He’d refused.’

’All these years, he just wanted her to be an obedient wife, staying home and taking care of the family.’

Noelle was also keenly aware that Director Ford desperately wanted her to agree.

But she couldn’t answer right now.

Just then, a waiter came over to serve the dishes, interrupting their conversation.

As the meal began, they dropped the subject.

It wasn’t until after the meal that Director Ford brought up the topic again.

"CEO Lawson, Noelle is passionate about animation. She only gave up on it back then because she got married. I know that with your financial means and social standing, she doesn’t need to work."

Director Ford paused, then continued, "As a person with a disability, she actually has a greater need to prove herself than the rest of us. If she hadn’t given up seven years ago, with her talent, she would have at least carved out a place for herself in the industry, if not become famous."

Noelle tugged on Director Ford’s sleeve and shook her head.

’She hadn’t worked in years, and it would be hard for her to work in the future. She felt unworthy of such praise.’

Director Ford gently patted the back of Noelle’s hand to soothe her. "Don’t be afraid. If I say you can do it, you can."

After so many years without working, a hint of insecurity still lingered in Noelle’s eyes.

This wasn’t what Director Ford wanted to see. Noelle might be mute, but the Noelle of the past had been brimming with confidence in her animation work.

Not wanting to face the awkwardness of Tristan Lawson rejecting Director Ford to her face, Noelle signed, "Mentor, can you give me some time to think about it?"

Director Ford was pleasantly surprised.

At least Noelle hadn’t refused this time.

"All right, I’ll wait for your decision."

Before she left, Director Ford glanced at Sophie Hughes, then at Tristan Lawson.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she held her tongue.

After Director Ford left, Tristan Lawson said nothing, simply taking Noelle’s hand and leading her out of the restaurant.

Sophie Hughes stood up and watched the couple leave together, her expression turning grim.

’They were a legally married couple. She didn’t even have the right to stop him.’

’In her heart, she looked down on Noelle.’

’She never imagined that Noelle had studied the same field as her.’

’She herself was already at the top of her game in the industry.’

’If Noelle came back, with Director Ford paving the way and mentoring her, then in the future...’

’No, she couldn’t admit defeat.’

’Tristan’s heart was already being completely stolen away by Noelle.’

’She couldn’t lose her career—the one thing she was proud of—to Noelle too.’

Tristan Lawson forcibly dragged Noelle back to his room, pinning her against the door and locking it.

"You still haven’t answered my question."

Tristan Lawson leaned in close, his breath fanning across her face.

She pushed him away, signing irritably, "What difference would it make if I answered? When have you ever agreed with any of my decisions?"

Noelle’s eyes were filled with defiance.

Tristan Lawson gave a faint smile. "Is this the real you? Was all that submissiveness before just an act? Hiding all these things from me... were you planning a surprise?"

As he spoke, he moved closer. "So, what’s your goal?"

There were some things he didn’t want to hear from others.

He wanted to hear them from her.

Faced with Tristan Lawson’s interrogation, Noelle lost all desire to answer.

’What goal could she possibly have?’

’Her only goal had ever been to love him.’

’But what had he given her in return?’

’Because of his coldness and disdain, everyone in the Lawson family thought she wasn’t good enough for him. Even the son she had carried for nine months was starting to be ashamed of her.’

’In this battle of a marriage, not only had she failed to win the love she wanted, but she’d also gotten cancer and was about to die.’

’She even wanted to tell him, but he never gave her the chance.’

’It was better not to say anything. Even if she did, he probably wouldn’t believe her anyway.’

’As a dying woman, she no longer wanted to fight for anything.’

She signed weakly, "I know you want Director Ford to take Sophie Hughes as her final disciple. Don’t worry, I won’t get in her way. I’ll tell Director Ford later that I have no intention of returning to work."

Noelle’s eyes were dim, her expression one of complete indifference.

Tristan Lawson’s chest tightened, a suffocating feeling rising within him.

He felt as if it was impossible to have a proper conversation with Noelle.

Every time he offered her an olive branch, she refused to take it.

"Do you really not want to go back to work?"

Tristan Lawson’s pupils darkened.

’Noelle’s mood had been off lately. Maybe she’d been cooped up at home for too long and it was getting to her.’

’She had such talent and was so admired by Director Ford. It was one thing when he didn’t know, but now that he did, he could certainly consider letting her go back to work.’

’Perhaps having a job to focus on would improve her mood.’

’Director Ford was right. As a person with a disability, she had a greater need to prove herself than others.’

’When Joshua was little, he didn’t care about appearances and never minded that Noelle was mute.’

’But as a child grows up and becomes more aware, it’s only natural to want your mother to be more impressive.’

’If Noelle could achieve some success in animation, Joshua would probably stop having such disrespectful thoughts and attitudes toward her.’

’She had given up her career for him.’

’If Director Ford hadn’t brought it up, he would never have known.’

’He really had been too cold to her over the years.’

’As long as she wanted to work, he wasn’t unwilling to compromise for her this one time.’

Noelle pursed her lips. ’It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; she couldn’t.’

She signed weakly, "I don’t want to."

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Tristan Lawson.

’He had been full of an uncharacteristic warmth, completely prepared to grant her wish.’

’As for Sophie Hughes’s future, he could have figured something else out.’

’And she... had just completely disregarded his rare show of goodwill!’