---- Thinking of Franklin''s feelings for her daughter-and the fact that, even if her daughter seemed to cling to Maggietely, she still preferred her real mother-both women found a renewed calmness. Julia''s gaze toward Maggie returned to its usual scorn. "I have been cking off in my professional development,'' Julia ---- admitted.


    "It''s time I got back into learning mode." Even if the people around her weren''t as capable as Johnny or Nn, with persistence and umtion, one day, her professional achievements might well surpass Maggie''s. Janice, naturally, supported this. She said, "You can ask Franklin for help." Julia smiled. "I know. He''ll help me as long as I ask." With that, she stopped paying attention to Maggie and rejoined the crowd. But this time, unlike her previous conversations with corporate reps, she was now speaking with the senior experts at the symposium.