The Unwanted Daughter: When Love Comes Too Late Chapter 282: The Weight of Respect

Ronald disagreed with Tracy's risky decisions, but he never tried to stop her.

He knew what mattered most to her was freedom—and what she hated most was when someone tried to take that freedom away for her own good.

All he could do was strengthen his ability to protect her, giving her a wider space in which to live freely.

Tracy could sense his quiet worry, even though he didn't say a word.

This was precisely why she didn't mind Ronald placing his men among her bodyguards.

She never felt controlled, because what he gave her was genuine respect and freedom—straight from the heart.

Faced with such respect, Tracy naturally chose to take a step back.

"Should this ever happen again, I'll remember to take better care of myself," she promised.

Her words eased the tension in Ronald's face, and his expression softened.

They didn't need many words—sometimes a glance or a small gesture was enough for them to understand each other.

It was as if they shared the same unspoken rhythm, a bond deep in their souls.

Ivy had come to her in secret, and Tracy told no one about it.

The next day, when people noticed the bandage on her neck, she only said she'd scratched herself while moving boxes.

Because she'd spent the night handling Ivy's intel, she came into the office later than usual.

As soon as she walked in, she saw Erin surrounded by coworkers, everyone showering her with admiration.

"Erin, you're amazing! You actually caught the attention of Ms. Nicholls!"

"That's Ms. Nicholls—so many respected artists would do anything just to meet her, and she's taking a liking to you?"

"I heard Ms. Nicholls is even considering taking you on as her last apprentice. Is that true?"

Tracy had seen this kind of scene countless times. The name surprised her, but she didn't bother to get involved.

She sat down, opened her laptop, and got to work.

But Erin wasn't about to let it go. Spotting Tracy, she suddenly lit up, like she'd just remembered something.

"Oh right! If I recall, the person you admire most is Ms. Nicholls, isn't it?"

Erin stepped out of the circle and stopped at Tracy's desk, her tone deliberately generous. "Wasn't your biggest dream to have your work seen by her? Of course, Ms. Nicholls is very busy, but while she's reviewing my work, I could always ask her to look at yours too."

Then she tilted her head, her voice dripping with false kindness. "Tracy, do you want me to help you?""

Anyone else in the industry would have jumped at the offer. They would have been grateful, maybe even tearfully so.

But Tracy didn't even look up. She answered flatly, "Ms. Nicholls wouldn't be interested in you."

Tracy knew Erin's talent all too well.

And she knew Ms. Nicholls's character—there was no way she'd be taken in by Erin's mediocrity.

Erin loved to stretch flimsy connections to make herself look more important, and while Ms. Nicholls surely had plenty of people like Erin bragging about knowing her, rarely did those claims ever reach her ears.

Even if this little show of Erin's turned into a bigger joke, she had the Jackmans behind her—that was why she acted so fearless.

Tracy's firm words landed like a strike. Erin's smile froze, her face twisting as if someone had exposed her thoughts.

She snapped, "I was trying to help you! If you don't appreciate it, fine—but why do you have to be so sarcastic?

"You're unbelievable! I try to be kind, and you throw it right back in my face!"

She stomped her foot in anger and rushed off before Tracy could reply.

But just before she left, her eyes flicked toward the phone on Tracy's desk.

Tracy caught it.

Why was Erin so fixated on her phone? Tracy had already given her a chance with it once, and she hadn't done a thing.

But now she was still eyeing it. What exactly was she after?

The question followed Tracy all day.

That night, Ronald came out of the kitchen with the last dish and found her staring at her phone, deep in thought. "What's on your mind, CeeCee?" he asked, puzzled by her expression.

She didn't hide anything and explained what had happened.

Tracy had people watching Erin's every move, and if Erin had been plotting against her, Tracy would've known by now.

But aside from her strange interest in the phone, Erin hadn't made a single move. Tracy couldn't figure out what she was after.

Ronald took the phone gently from her hand and said, "I'll look into this. What you need to do is take care of yourself—and eat."

Tracy sighed. Lately she had more than enough on her plate: handling a job she'd never dealt with before, keeping an eye on Andrew's schemes, dealing with Simon's tricks, and still chasing the truth behind Walter's car crash and Franklin's death.