NovelUpdateChapter 79
That's how reciprocity works.
Ines wasn't the type to refuse easily, so she agreed.
Timothy stood up and said, "Please, cwith me."
Jessica, unable to leave the villa and uninterested in meeting Timothy's guest, made her way down to the
basement.
The basement housed the collection room.
Inside, Timothy's precious treasures were displayed-rare items he'd collected over the years.
Jessica rarely cdown here, but the place was always spotless. She only checked in during the damp season
to make sure nothing was getting musty; she never paid much attention to the objects themselves.
Her heart and mind were filled with thoughts of Timothy-these items were just his trappings, things that added to
his aura.
She didn't want them, nor did she envy them.
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The only thing she wanted-greedily, desperately was for Timothy to love her.
With nothing else to do, she wandered among the displays, letting her eyes linger on the items.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps.
It was unmistakably Timothy's stride.
And another set-his guest.
Whenever there were guests at home, Jessica always tried to stay out of sight. She'd heard Mabel mention that
Timothy sometimes showed his collection to visitors-sometimes to sell, sometimes as a gift.
Occasionally, people would bring things to sell to Timothy as well.
Jessica slipped into a small storage room nearby, hiding herself away.
Timothy led Ines into the collection room.
The moment Ines stepped in, she was visibly stunned.
Rumor had it that Timothy Lawson was a man of impressive means, but seeing this in person was a revelation.
The entire hall was understated but luxurious, filled with treasures displayed with exquisite taste-paintings,
antiques, gold and silver jewelry, artisan crafts- everything arranged with an impeccable eye.
"Ines, feel free to pick whatever you like."
Jessica's eyes widened in shock.
Timothy's guest today was Ines!
Thank God she'd hidden herself.
Otherwise... If Ines saw the state she was in after getting married, Jessica knew she wouldn't be able to face her.
"President Lawson's generosity is well known. Many people would love to work with you-and now | see your
reputation is well deserved," Ines said, her familiar voice carrying into the shadows.
Jessica bit her lip so hard it hurt, her eyes filling with tears.
Ines was, besides her grandmother, the person who'd always been best to her.
Now Ines was only a few steps away, and she couldn't even muster the courage to say hello.
Ines wasn't particularly materialistic, but the beauty of these antiques held her attention.
Timothy, an expert in such matters, accompanied Ines through the room, giving detailed explanations.
He paused in front of a display and remarked, "Sof these old techniques have already vanished. If there's no
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmone to carry them forward, they'll disappear for good. Of course, without innovation, even tradition gets left
behind."
Ines smiled. "Are you trying to tellsomething, President Lawson?"
"Ines, you're perceptive-so I'll be direct. Sheila has studied animation since she was a child and has spent the
past few years honing her craft abroad..."
Jessica's heart sank as she listened.
Timothy really was pulling out all the stops for Sheila.
Last night he'd gone to fetch her, brought her home, and now had locked her in the house-all to host Ines, to
persuade her to take Sheila on as a student.
If she'd known the guest was Ines, she would have cooked a proper meal, welcomed her warmly.
But Timothy only wanted her to help for Sheila's sake.
He went on, lavishing praise on Sheila.
Finally, he concluded, "International animation is still far ahead of what we have here, but the local scene is
catching up. Sheila has mastered both international techniques and local styles-I believe she could create
something truly unique by blending the two. What do you think, Ines?"
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