She sent the message and stood up, a faint look of boredom on her aloof face. "All this pointless chatter. Is it really that interesting?"

"Yes, of course. How could we possibly compare to the great genius, Joanna? When Joanna speaks, it’s about grand matters like building rockets," Justin Hughes said in a fawning, submissive tone.

Joanna Sherman just snorted noncommittally.

"Joanna, we’re actually worried about you." Justin Hughes truly felt for Joanna Sherman. "For the foreseeable future, you’ll have to work under that woman, Shaw, and take her orders. It’s going to be awful."

"It’d be one thing if she were actually capable, but she’s a piece of trash who’s good for nothing and doesn’t know a thing. How are you supposed to work with her?"

"I know, right?" Sharon Sherman was also indignant about it. "Is Levin Sawyer blind? Are the people in the government departments blind too? You’re the one who’s actually launched a rocket, so how could they make *her* the person in charge?"

"That Shaw woman is petty and scheming. She’s definitely going to make your life difficult," Justin Hughes reminded her. "Don’t forget how she stole Vincent Grant from you back then."

"Oh, the more Young Master Hughes talks, the more scared I get! Sis, everything is going to fall on your shoulders. If she tries to mess with you, how will you survive?" Sharon Sherman wailed, thumping her chest dramatically.

’That bitch, Sophia Shaw. Wasn’t she pretty stupid as a kid? How did she get so hard to deal with when she grew up?’

Sharon Sherman couldn’t help but recall the few times Sophia had retaliated against her, and a chill shot up her spine.

Jenson Forrest walked in just in time to hear the group bad-mouthing Sophia Shaw.

Hearing them describe her as utterly worthless, the corner of his lip curled into a cold smile.

’This group of people is just as self-righteous as I used to be, acting like clowns every day yet thinking they’re so noble!’

’Sophia Shaw’s abilities far surpassed everyone present.’

’If Joanna Sherman hadn’t been riding Vincent Grant’s coattails, she wouldn’t even be qualified to work with her!’

When Joanna Sherman saw Jenson Forrest enter, she deliberately put on a detached expression. "I’m there to do my job and solve problems. I’ll be putting my work first and have no time to bother with such underhanded, dirty tricks."

"If she lacks self-awareness, she’ll only be embarrassing herself!"

Aloof and non-confrontational, yet open and honorable.

Naturally, this drew another round of praise from Justin Hughes.

Jenson Forrest’s mind wasn’t as simple as Justin Hughes’s.

An insider had already told him what happened today.

’Joanna Sherman kept saying she was only there to solve problems, but then she showed off her skills in public. Wasn’t that just a blatant attempt to snatch the project lead position from Sophia Shaw?’

He used to admire Joanna Sherman and was content to be part of this circle. But at this moment, he suddenly found everyone before him unbearably dull.

He turned and started to walk out.

"Jenson, why are you leaving so soon?" Joanna Sherman called out to him.

Justin Hughes walked over as well. "We were waiting for you to come up with a plan."

"That Shaw woman is treating a trivial matter like a royal decree. With Levin Sawyer backing her, she definitely won’t let Joanna have an easy time. You need to think of a way to get her kicked off the Lead Aerospace team."

Jenson Forrest replied coldly, "Why should she be the one kicked off the Lead Aerospace team?"

"The one without any ability is the one who should be out, isn’t it?"

Justin Hughes: "..."

He gave Jenson Forrest a strange look. "Are you... speaking up for Sophia Shaw?"

"I’m not speaking up for anyone. I’m just being fair!"

Jenson Forrest returned home.

His mind in turmoil, he didn’t notice the extra pair of women’s shoes at the door.

He strode into the living room and poured himself a glass of chilled baijiu.

He downed it in one gulp.

The alcohol, sharp with cold, burned its way down, making his throat ache.

He gave a bitter smile.

’He had always prided himself on being a promising young man, a leader among his peers.’

’Compared to Sophia Shaw, his so-called accomplishments were nothing more than child’s play.’

’Not even worth mentioning!’

"Young Master?"

The maid was startled to see Jenson Forrest.

Jenson Forrest had said he had a social engagement tonight and would be back late.

The maid looked at the glass and the bottle in front of him.

The young master would only have a few sips when friends were over.

He usually never touched alcohol.

This was...

Jenson Forrest did his best to compose himself before asking, "Where’s Lil?"

The maid quickly pointed to the room. "Miss Lillian is in a tutoring session."

"Tutoring?"

He hadn’t hired a new tutor for Lillian Forrest.

The maid nodded. "That Miss Shaw who came by before is here again. Miss Lillian is so happy."

Jenson Forrest put down his glass and strode toward Lillian Forrest’s room.

He didn’t even notice when he bumped into the counter.

The moment his fingers touched the doorknob, he suddenly lost the courage to open the door.

Flashing through his mind were the insults and humiliations he had once hurled at Sophia Shaw...

Sophia Shaw came out after the tutoring session was over. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lillian Forrest was especially excited and insisted on walking her to the door.

Worried about her eyes, Sophia Shaw had to stop her.

"No, no! Sophie, you aren’t bothered by how slow I am and you even come all the way here to tutor me. How can I let you see yourself out?"

Lillian Forrest’s two beautiful eyes were vacant and dim, but the corners of her lips were curved into a deep smile.

Everyone said that since she was blind, it was useless for her to study so much. They said she should learn how to be a good wife and mother, how to please a man, and maybe she could marry a good husband someday.

Only Sophia Shaw told her that no matter the circumstances, studying was never useless.

She said that whether a girl was blind or lame, she should never stake her fate on marriage, but on how to make her own life more fulfilling.

Studying was the key to opening the door to that fulfilling life.

If you lack eyes, do things that don’t require them.

If you lack hands, do things that don’t require them.

Lillian Forrest’s closed-off world was suddenly thrown open, and everything became clear.

The girl’s adoration and gratitude were written all over her face.

"Let me see you out, Sophie," Jenson Forrest said, stepping forward.

His long sleeves were rolled up below his elbows, and his slender yet strong hand rested gently on Lillian Forrest’s shoulder.

"Brother!" Lillian Forrest was overjoyed to hear Jenson Forrest’s voice.

She grabbed the arm he had placed on her shoulder and specifically instructed him, "You have to make sure you get Sophie home safely, okay?"

Sophia Shaw didn’t want to go with Jenson Forrest.

But she also didn’t want Lillian Forrest running around for her sake, so she didn’t refuse again.

The two of them walked out side by side.

The pale moonlight shone on Sophia Shaw’s face, veiling it like a layer of gauze.

The serene figure, draped in that soft light, looked gentle and captivating.

Jenson Forrest only dared to look at her from the corner of his eye. They walked in silence, but his heart was pounding like a drum.

When they reached the car, Sophia Shaw said politely, "You can head back now, Mr. Forrest."

Jenson Forrest took the initiative to open the passenger-side door. "Just now, Lil specifically told me I had to see you home. It would be hard to explain if I just went back like this."

"Mr. Forrest, you could always stand outside for a while before going back in."

Sophia Shaw didn’t get into the passenger seat. Instead, she got into the driver’s seat herself.

When a gentle woman was being stubborn, it was hard to counter.

She tilted her head slightly, waiting for Jenson Forrest to close the door.

Jenson Forrest’s fingers tightened, but he still closed the door.

But just as Sophia Shaw was about to start the car, his long fingers shot out and grabbed the top of the window frame. He asked with all his might, "Back then... you never actually schemed against Vincent Grant, did you?"

...

Jenson Forrest walked silently into a bar. He ordered a drink but didn’t touch it, just held the glass with his head bowed.

Sophia Shaw’s face seemed to flicker in the glass.

Composed, gentle.

She hadn’t answered his question, only met his gaze.

Unflinching and direct, her eyes were clear.

So clear it made one’s heart falter.

He was the one who had fled in disarray.

’He hadn’t even needed to ask.’

’Old Master Sloan’s prized student, the founder of Lead Aerospace, a young genius who shocked the world by cutting rocket production costs by ninety percent... why would someone like that need to scheme against Vincent Grant for some worldly possession?’

’He had been blind.’

"Didn’t you say you had something to do? What are you doing here drinking?"

At the entrance, Joanna Sherman and Vincent Grant walked in and spotted Jenson Forrest right away.

Joanna Sherman asked in surprise.

"In a bad mood?"

Jenson Forrest had been very abrasive earlier, so Joanna Sherman just assumed he was in a bad mood.

"Is it because of Lillian? How about I take her out to get some fresh air in a few days?"

Jenson Forrest had always been someone Joanna Sherman was trying hard to win over.

Not only because of his powerful background, but also because his personal abilities were outstanding, and he could provide her with tremendous help in the future.

"No need."

Joanna Sherman had interacted with Lillian Forrest before, and Lillian didn’t like her.

"Lillian has tutoring. She doesn’t have time."

"Lil is willing to let someone tutor her now?" Joanna Sherman was extremely surprised.

Jenson Forrest had been troubled before by Lil’s unwillingness to interact with outsiders, so Joanna Sherman couldn’t help but be curious about this tutor whom Lil was willing to get close to.

"Is it some famous teacher? If you have time, you should invite them to tutor my younger brother, too."

"She’s a real heavy-hitter, but tutoring isn’t her main profession."

Since Jenson Forrest clearly didn’t want to reveal the person’s identity, Joanna Sherman knew better than to press the issue.

"Joanna and I came here to discuss some work matters. Want to join us?" Vincent Grant asked.

"Lillian is waiting at home. I can’t be back too late."

Jenson Forrest picked up the jacket draped over the back of his chair and gave Vincent Grant’s arm a light squeeze.

The interactions between men were often as plain as water.

Jenson Forrest started to walk out. As he pulled the door open, he caught a glimpse of someone walking past Joanna Sherman.

Vincent Grant reached out and put a protective arm around her shoulder, shielding her from the person passing by.

"That handsome guy really dotes on his girlfriend."

"So protective."

"You can tell he’s head over heels in love."

Two girls walking in through the door murmured in admiration. When they saw Jenson Forrest by the door, their expressions turned to awe, and they blushed quietly.

Jenson Forrest ignored their admiring gazes, but his heart felt as if something had been gouged out of it.

"Vincent," he called out.

Vincent Grant turned back.

Jenson Forrest’s face, shrouded in the dim light, was heavy with sorrow. "We both made a mistake. I regret it, and you will too."