Chapter 146: Her Second Act Begins II

"I will need a different SIM card, right?" Wynter said, noticing his bewilderment.

"That's true, but both your phone and that SIM are already open. That is what makes me wonder," Shawn said.

He couldn't stop his curiosity this time.

"These things were tinkered with already."

She looked up at him with a smug look. The only thing missing was the smug smile.

"You really need to start understanding how the real world works, outside of the four corners of the classroom."

Shawn wanted to retort, but could not do so.

It was true, the adult world is very different from the school world.

More schemes and dangers were lurking around.

Especially in the world they are living in, where a lot of people are waiting for even the slightest mistake to take their families down.

Then he grimaced, "Why are you looking at me as if you are way older than I am and know more of the world?"

She raised an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat, indeed, there is no need for him to question. She had been swimming in that water for a good while now.

Facing even the adults despite her young age.

"I will slowly get close to that place before I start my residency."

After a few seconds, he found himself saying to her.

Wynter no longer teased him and focused on opening the phone.

She needs to send a message to her partner.

'I will be staying a bit longer.'

It didn't take long for a reply to arrive.

Seeing her being busy with her phone, Shawn decided to sit to the side and instead review.

He decided to stay here until tomorrow as his class tomorrow will be in the afternoon. He has a lot of time so he decided to just stay and accompany her.

Wynter glanced at him before sighing while shaking her head.

Then she looked back at the reply she received.

'I was waiting for your message. Where will you be staying?'

'Ashcroft's place.'

'Ashcroft?'

'They offered.'

'Then staying is better. Things have changed a bit from what we predicted. It seems this move is too much of a variable.'

'Sorry.'

'Don't apologize. This is better as well. Working closely will allow the plan to work out better.'

'Closely?'

'Yes. Closely.'

Then, on cue, the messages were deleted even though this was already a new phone that had been tinkered with.

It also means that the conversation is over.

But it didn't take long for her to understand what Hymn meant.

'Indeed, that would be their next option because of the move that I did.'

She shrugged.

It's fine.

Though it was unexpected but what she gained here was better. She gained something so valuable for her that she is feeling like playing hide and seek with them for now.

At the thought of it, she couldn't help but break out into a smile.

Just then, Shawn looked up and saw this genuine happy smile.

He was completely taken aback and was mesmerized.

With her beautiful face, blond hair, and black eyes, she looked like a doll that had suddenly come to life.

Then he frowned, and he suddenly thought of something.

'What is her real look? Was it Wynter's or Harmony's?'

…

"It is finally nice to meet you," Dylan greeted Wynter.

"It is my pleasure to meet you," Wynter replied, accepting the handshake he was offering.

Dylan found himself chuckling.

Wynter tilted her head to the side.

"You really are good at acting."

"Dylan!" Tiffany called out upon hearing his words.

Dylan realized that it came out wrong, "I did not mean it in a bad way. I mean, I have been wanting to meet you since I watched your play. The one who wrote the script and the one who played the female lead."

He smiled and Wynter could not help but feel that he got the smile of Tiffany. It was a warm, gentle, heartwarming smile.

'What a warm family,' she thought as she kept up with her smile.

It was how she had always been, keeping to herself what she truly felt with a well-versed smile.

Shawn and Dylan slightly furrowed their brows, noticing something had changed in the way she smiled.

But they could not point it out.

"Are you ready?" Tiffany asked.

Wynter turned to her, this time, her smile returned to being grateful.

Shawn suddenly felt like he had only seen an illusion.

While Dylan's smile dropped a bit because he suddenly realized something.

'This girl…'

"I am," Wynter said with a tinge of excitement in her voice.

Tiffany smiled again. She had never seen such an excited look, despite it being small, in Wynter's face for all the events and times she had seen the young lady.

She had seriously held back all this time.

"Can I come too?" Shawn asked.

"Are you still worried?" Tiffany chuckled.

Shawn sheepishly smiled.

Though Tiffany could not blame him.

He was the person who had witnessed everything that happened to Wynter.

"Let's all go back then, Lenon is waiting outside," Tiffany simply agreed.

As they come up to the main gate, one can see a pair of tall iron gates standing between two stone pillars.

The gates are black with shiny silver details and have a small, elegant crest in the center.

The crest shows a single spotlight shining upward, with a feather quill and a film reel crossed beneath it.

Around the spotlight is a soft circle of stars, and below it, a silver ribbon reads 'Light Through Art' in smooth, graceful letters.

Behind the gate, a neat cobblestone driveway winds through a well-kept garden. Low green hedges border flower beds filled with colorful flowers like lavender, white roses, and tulips. Tall, thin trees line the driveway, giving the place a quiet, peaceful feeling without blocking the view.

At the end of the driveway stands the mansion. It has three floors and mixes modern style with classic European beauty. The walls are made of light-colored stone that looks warm in the sunlight. Large arched windows with dark frames let in lots of light.

There is a small balcony above the front door, and the dark roof has hidden solar panels.

On one side of the house, you can see a glass room that looks like a greenhouse, filled with green plants.

The garden has a wide lawn with a few marble statues and a small fountain bubbling near the front steps.