"In spite of me" is ambiguous. It could mean "despite me" or "to spite me". Likewise, he could be genuine in saying that he is lucky to have known and helped this person, with greater talents than his, on their way to better things; or he could be sarcastic, like, yknow, "I'm SO proud to you used me as a step up in your ILLUSTRIOUS career".
F knows which meaning was intended. But I'd like to think he was subtle enough to intend both.
"In spite of me" is ambiguous. It could mean "despite me" or "to spite me". Likewise, he could be genuine in saying that he is lucky to have known and helped this person, with greater talents than his, on their way to better things; or he could be sarcastic, like, yknow, "I'm SO proud to you used me as a step up in your ILLUSTRIOUS career".
F knows which meaning was intended. But I'd like to think he was subtle enough to intend both.