Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Smith’s Important Friend

"No problem. Go ahead."

Hugo Sterling agreed without a second thought.

Noelle Sutton quickly typed what she wanted to say on her phone.

"Don’t let him know I live here."

When Hugo Sterling saw the line of text, the curve of his lips deepened.

He made an "OK" sign with his hand.

The anxiety that had been weighing on Noelle’s heart finally settled.

She couldn’t resist Tristan Lawson’s power, but she could use someone else’s.

She didn’t know what kind of friendship Hugo Sterling had with Tristan Lawson, but she could tell that Hugo dared to defy him.

That was enough for her.

She didn’t need much time—just a month. After a month, once the divorce was final, she and Tristan Lawson would have nothing more to do with each other.

Hugo Sterling didn’t ask Noelle Sutton any more questions. Once Noelle agreed to attend the birthday banquet at the Sterling Family’s home, he said his goodbyes.

As he walked out of the small apartment, Hugo Sterling glanced back at the closed door and couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

’It won’t be long now. Looks like there’s going to be a good show.’

The evening was enchanting. A cool autumn breeze made for a pleasant temperature.

Tristan Lawson picked up Smith at the airport and had specially arranged a welcome dinner for him, all for Sophie Hughes’s sake.

Naturally, he needed guests to help entertain.

The night before last, Tristan Lawson had thrown a glass, and Kyle Sawyer was still fuming. He hadn’t wanted to go, but he couldn’t refuse Sophie Hughes, who practically dragged him there.

Among the three people Tristan Lawson was closest to, Kyle Sawyer was Sophie Hughes’s staunchest supporter.

As for Adrian Grant and Hugo Sterling...

Back when they were children, the youngest Miss Sterling had never gotten along with her. Mr. Grant and Mr. Sterling had been comrades-in-arms, sharing a life-and-death bond. Adrian Grant and the youngest Miss Sterling even had a childhood betrothal. Regardless of whether it would pan out when they grew up, the young Adrian had always sided with the youngest Miss Sterling.

And Hugo Sterling was a given—she was his own sister.

The Hughes Family was a scholarly one. Although her adoptive father later resigned from his post to go into business, the family’s traditions remained unchanged. Sophie Hughes herself had received the education of a high-society lady since childhood. Adding her connection to Tristan Lawson into the mix, Adrian Grant and Hugo Sterling were naturally much more polite to her than they were to most people.

But in the end, it couldn’t compare to her friendship with Kyle Sawyer.

That’s why Sophie Hughes needed Kyle Sawyer so much; he would go through fire and water for her.

For instance, the night before last, when Hugo Sterling found out Noelle Sutton was Tristan’s wife, his expression changed as fast as a Sichuan opera performer changing masks. Adrian Grant had even tried to get Kyle Sawyer to say less, but Kyle didn’t care if Tristan Lawson would get angry and still stood up to champion her.

On the way, Smith received a message from Director Ford.

"Mr. Smith, I heard you arrived in the country today. I also wanted to share some good news—that student of mine is willing to try out for the role in your new film. When would be a good time for you? We can schedule a meeting."

Smith’s pale blue eyes suddenly lit up.

The film’s planned release date was not far off, and he still hadn’t found a suitable candidate. He had been waiting to hear back from Director Ford for a long time, but she had always been evasive and hadn’t given him a clear answer.

Not long ago, he had seen Director Ford’s online post introducing an animated version of *A Renaissance Cityscape Painting*. Only then did he realize that the person he had his eye on was Director Ford’s most prized pupil. Moreover, she had "married for love" and seemed unlikely to return to work. That was why he had come this time, hoping to find a creator with a similar style here.

If Director Ford’s prized pupil could come out of retirement, that would be for the best.

He and Director Ford were both experts who had knocked around the animation industry for years. Naturally, they could discern an animator’s skill level at a single glance.

Even now, seven years later, some senior producers might not be able to replicate the effects in his prized pupil’s graduation project.

Smith had been waiting for a long time and was naturally getting impatient.

Smith’s mother was from Veridia, so he was fluent in the language. He immediately replied to Director Ford.

"How about tonight? I’ll be arriving at Myre River Pavilion for dinner in about twenty minutes. Why don’t you bring your student along? What do you think?"

"No problem. I’ll contact her right away."

Smith put his phone away, the exhaustion in his pale blue eyes seeming to vanish completely.

"Tristan, I have two friends. Is it alright if they join us for dinner?"

"Of course."

At that moment, Director Ford was messaging Noelle Sutton.

"Noelle, are you there?"

"I’m here."

Director Ford told her that Smith had arrived in the country and wanted to meet her at Myre River Pavilion.

"Noelle, get ready quickly. He said he’ll be at Myre River Pavilion in twenty minutes. We should get over there as soon as possible."

Noelle’s heart began to race with nervousness at the thought of meeting Smith so soon.

She hadn’t fully prepared at all.

She only had six months. For her, this was an incredibly rare opportunity, and she desperately wanted to seize it.

Fortunately, she had created a short, several-minute-long original character animation that afternoon. While it wasn’t perfect, it would be enough to give Smith a preliminary understanding of her current abilities.

"Okay, Professor. I’m leaving now."

Seeing Noelle reply so decisively this time, Director Ford couldn’t have been happier.

Noelle saved the short animation she had just finished to her phone, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door.

Tristan Lawson arrived at Myre River Pavilion with Smith.

Sophie Hughes and Kyle Sawyer were already there, along with Adrian Grant and Hugo Sterling.

Even though Hugo Sterling had infuriated Tristan Lawson that morning, Tristan still invited him.

After all, Smith was here this time to attend the birthday banquet at the Sterling Family’s home.

He couldn’t let his petty squabbles with Hugo Sterling affect important business.

The Grant Group was in the film and media business, and Adrian Grant himself was a film investor, so he and Smith were old acquaintances.

Tristan Lawson wanted to get an animation role for Sophie Hughes from Smith, so he had to show his sincerity in hosting the director.

He had gathered a group of familiar faces for the welcome dinner so that Smith wouldn’t feel out of place right after arriving in the country.

Smith, having grown up in the West, was naturally more effusive. Seeing so many familiar faces, he greeted them warmly.

Sophie Hughes had previously worked on one of Director Smith’s animated films, and Smith even gave her a welcoming hug.

After they were seated, Smith smiled and said, "Tristan, you’re very good at making people feel comfortable. Thank you."

Tristan Lawson gave a slight nod.

Hugo Sterling chimed in, "Tristan, should we have them start serving the food? Smith just got off the plane; he must be hungry."

"Let’s wait a bit. He has two friends coming."

Smith immediately added, "Yes, I have two important friends."

Adrian Grant asked curiously, "I don’t recall you ever visiting Glenwater before. You have important friends here?"

Smith raised his distinctively Western brow bones and smiled. "Yes. One of them I’ve never met, but they are very, very important."

Hugo Sterling interjected with a laugh, "Well, now you’ve made us curious."

Director Ford arrived at the entrance of Myre River Pavilion. She didn’t go up immediately, instead sending a message to Noelle Sutton.

"Noelle, where are you?"