Silence fell


    Nora blinked, momentarily surprised, but quicklyposed herself Rising smoothly, she followed the professor without hesitation.


    Linda''s nails dug into her palms, a cold weight sinking in her stomach. "She was chosen. Again."


    Arnold watched her go, an emotion flickering in his eyes that even he didn''t fully understand.


    Charles, ever observant, let out a quiet chuckle. "Now this is getting interesting."


    Arnold remained silent, his expression unreadable.


    But deep inside, something gnawed at him. A feeling he had long ignored.


    Regret.


    Everyone present was stunned.


    Professor Colton was a man of prestige, known for his harsh standards and rare acknowledgments.


    To be personally called out by him was no small matter. It meant something


    Leo was well known he owned the renowned Starline Studio and was one of Colton''s most valued disciples.


    It was understandable t


    that Colton would summon him. But Nora?


    Whispers spread through the audience. Some looked at her with curiosity, others with envy.


    Who exactly was she?


    Nora. feeling the weight of the stares but maintaining herposure, followed Professor Colton alongside Leo.


    She kept her head high, her steps steady. She refused to let others see any hesitation in her.


    Inside the private meeting room, the air was heavy with authority.


    The space was munimalistic, lined with dark wooden shelves filled with thick books and past project documents.


    A faint scent of aged paper and ink lingered in the air.


    Colton stood at the head of the table, his gaze sharp and unreadable.


    His presence alone was enough to make most people nervous.


    Without preamble, he turned to Leo and asked, "What have you been working ontely?"


    Loo straightened, his expression suff. Tve been focusing on expanding ourtest line, incorporating-


    Colton waved a hand, cutting him off. "Not enough. I expect more from you" His voice was fir


    was firm, leaving no room for debate.


    Reaching into a leather folder, he pulled out a stark of documents and ced them in front of Leo


    Les nced at the papers and visibly winced. His shoulders tensed, and he let out a quiet sigh before nodding


    "Yes, sir." There was to argument, noint. He knew better than to protest.


    Nora observed the interaction, a small amused smile tugging at her lips.


    It was almost entertaining to see someone as aplished as Len being scoliled like a student. Chapter 57


    But beyond the amusement, she felt something deeper-an old familiar longing


    The band between teacher and student. The challenge. The expectations. It was a world she once belonged to.


    Then unexpectedly, Colton turned his gaze to her. "Nora"


    She straightened at the sound of her name.


    Tremember you." he stated, his tone thoughtful. We met at the reception a while back. But I feel like I''ve seen you before that." His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. "Have you ever been part of my graduate program?"


    Nora''s fu


    fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her skirt, She nodded. "I was enrolled once."


    Colton''s expression didn''t change, but his tone turned sharper. Then why didn''t you continue?"


    Silence settled for a moment. A strange, heavy feeling pressed against Nora''s chest.


    She hesitated before ansiering. 1.. gave up."


    Colton frowned. "Why?"


    The words were simple, but they cun deep.


    Nora''s heart clenched as memories surfaced. The moment when she had received her eptance letter. The joy. The excitement. The dream that had been within reach. And then-giving it all up, watching it slip away by her own choice.


    Her voice was quieter now. "I was dealing with some family matters".


    For the first time. Colton''s expression shifted. A flicker of something-understanding, perhaps-passed through his eyes. He didn''t speak immediately.


    Nora mhaled slowly. Thad to go home. Be responsible and fight my battles."


    Her responsibility was that she got pregnant and wanted to stay home to raise her child


    The room felt impossibly still.


    Lee, who had been silent until now, squinted at her. Once so close that Nora would have been his direct junior, he understood what a remarkable talent Nora had in her, and for so many years he hadmented the incident


    Culton exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable once more. I see. His voice had lost some of its earlier sharpness. He nced at the papers on the table before shifting his gaze back to her. "Do you regret it?"


    The question but harder than the expected.


    Nora looked down for a moment, then back up, meeting his gaze with quiet strength. "No," she said firmly. "Not for a second"


    At that point in her life, Arnold and Alex were the two most important people to her. Her world had


    revolved around them. Every decision, every choice, had been made with them in mind.


    But standing in front of Professor Colton now, she realized something had changed.


    Nora straightened her posture and met Colton''s steady gaze. "I was dyed by family matters before,"


    she exined, her voice calm but firm. "But I''ve decided to return to my career now.


    Colton studied her in silence, has sharp eyes assessing her. The weight of his gaze made her heartbeat quicken slightly, but she held her ground. She


    After a long pause, he finally spoke "Back then, I had decided to recrut both you and Leo," he said matter of factly. "But since you gave up, only Leo was admitted in the end"


    Nora''s fingers curled slightly, but she didn''t look away


    Colton continued,


    (tone unwavering. "If you are still willing, I am still willing to be your teacher."


    For a brief second, Nora felt her mind go nk Had the beard him cuciectly? 12:01


    After Lleft. Aljlia father and sons.