Silence stayed on the table for several moments after Mr.
Antoine’s words.
Nicholas was still maintaining his composure, but he was no longer as comfortable as he was at the beginning of the conversation.
He knew that his father was not only criticizing the answer, but was comparing their way of thinking.
As for Lily, she was watching everything in silence.
She saw the subtle look of satisfaction in her father’s eyes when she was answering, and now she saw his lack of conviction while speaking with Nicholas.
And inside her, a small thing moved.
It was not enough for her to merely be good.
She wanted to be the best.
She wants to prove that she is not only a superior daughter, but the person who understands her father’s way of thinking more than anyone else.
Therefore, she maintained her calm features, and did not rush.
It was not her style to attack directly; she knew that a clear attack would make her appear harsh or jealous.
She chose her words carefully.
She placed her hand calmly beside her plate, then said in a soft tone: “I think the problem, Father, is not only in the answer.” Mr.
Antoine paused and looked at her.
“What do you mean?” Lily smiled a small smile, then looked for a moment toward Nicholas before returning her eyes to her father.
“I mean that Nicholas has good information, and that is clear.
But sometimes he focuses on describing the problem more than analyzing its cause.” The sentence seemed like a professional observation, not a personal critique.
But it carried a clear meaning.
Nicholas looked at her.
He said nothing.
Lily continued with the same composure: “In architecture, it is not enough to say that the project failed due to weak execution or poor coordination.
These are merely results.
The more important question is: Why did that happen?
Where was the mistake in the planning stage?
Was the initial study insufficient?
Were the risks not assessed correctly?
Was the design unexecutable as presented?” She was speaking with complete confidence.
Every question she posed seemed logical.
Then she added: “Because the architect who waits for the problem to appear and then searches for its cause is always late.
The better architect is the one who anticipates weaknesses before they turn into problems.” Mr.
Antoine kept looking at her.
This was the way he likes; analysis, order, and a broader perspective.
As for Nicholas, he remained silent.
He could not say that her words were wrong.
And that is what made the matter more annoying.
Lily continued: “Even in large projects, small details are what reveal the difference between a good design and an excellent design.
Sometimes the difference is not in knowing the codes or selecting materials, but in the ability to see the relationship between all elements.” Then she turned slightly toward her brother.
“Nicholas knows the technical side, and I do not doubt that.” The beginning of the sentence seemed like a defense of him.
But she completed: “But perhaps he just needs to pay greater attention to the way of constructing the answer itself, not only to the information present in it.” It was a quiet strike.
She did not say he does not understand.
She did not say he is weak.
She did not say he is lesser than her.
But she made the difference clear.
The difference between someone who knows, and someone who analyzes.
Nicholas said calmly: “I understand your point.” Lily replied quickly, but in a polite tone: “I am not criticizing you, Nicholas, I just believe that your level can be higher.” Then she added: “And I think Father is not looking only for correct answers, but for a more precise way of thinking.” Silence prevailed.
The last sentence was the most impactful.
Because it was not directed at Nicholas only.
It was directed at Mr.
Antoine as well.
It was telling him that she understands his standards.
Mr.
Antoine looked at his daughter.
He said nothing, but his look changed slightly.
He saw before him the image he wants: a daughter who does not settle for success, but thinks in a way close to his own.
As for Nicholas, he felt something different.
He was not angry at her words as much as at the way she said them.
Lily did not raise her voice.
She did not mock.
She did not say anything for which she could be attacked.
She did it in a much harder way; she made her criticism seem like advice.
And that is exactly what made her appear more perfect.
Lily sat in silence after that, and returned to her usual calm state.
She raised the glass of water with a calm movement, took a small sip, then set it in its place precisely.
Even after speaking against her brother, her image before her father remained flawless.
A perfect daughter.
A perfect student.
And a perfect speaker.
But behind that composure, there was something else happening inside her; a deep fear of losing that image she had crafted with great care…
and therefore she was always trying to be more perfect than perfection itself.