Mia slowly stood up. She could feel several gazesnding on her.


    Shelly looked at Maya in disbelief. “Has there been some sort of mistake, Maya? How can Mia win first


    ce? Wasn’t everyone saying that Wilhelmina’s actually Zoe?”


    Earlier, Wilhelmina hadn’t denied that she was Zoe–everyone had taken it as her admission that she


    was. But now, if the first–ce winner was Mia, didn’t that mean Mia was Zoe?


    Shelly was on the verge of a breakdown. How could this be? Mia was a peasant from the slums who


    knew nothing. How could she be Zoe, the renowned designer?


    Maya was close to losing control of her expression. She nced at Timothy anxiously. As expected, he


    was looking at Mia.


    Timothy watched as Mia stood up from her seat in the second row. Her


    champagne–colored dress entuated her smooth skin, and her face was alight with happiness. Even


    her eyes were shining.


    In this instant, she looked like she was glowing. She was nothing like the timid, lowly woman in his


    memories.


    But what surprised Timothy the most was the fact that Mia was Zoe. Did this mean that Mia had


    deliberately rejected his olive branches?


    Timothy stared hard at her. It was almost as if he wanted to burn holes in her with his gaze.


    Suddenly, he found he couldn’t really understand Mia despite being married to her for three years.


    Mia walked out of the second row with her head held high. There was a faint smile ying on her lips.


    As she walked toward the stage, she saw Maya remaining rooted to the spot. She stopped and smiled


    meaningfully. “Did you mean to surprise me with this, Ms. Lane?”


    Maya clenched her fists and forced out a smile. “Congrattions on your victory.


    “Instead of congratting me, I think it’s only right for you to apologize, Ms. Lane. After all, the Fleur


    International Design Competition is such an importantpetition. If mistakes like this were to happen


    all the time, would anyone have faith in its authenticity and fairness?”


    Maya’s eyes darkened. The bitch was mocking her! Still, she knew this wasn’t the right ce for her to


    throw a tantrum. She suppressed her anger. “Indeed, this is a mistake on our part. We’ll do our best to


    make it up to you.”


    “If that’s the case, how about you present the award to me, Ms. Lane?” Mia didn’t budge. She stared


    right into Maya’s eyes and calmly waited for an answer.


    Maya noticed people staring at them. There was no way in hell she would willingly present the award to


    Mia. She turned to look at Timothy, hoping that he would speak up for her. Mia would definitely go


    along with him.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    To her dismay, Timothy sat there, looking emotionless. But his eyes were fixed on Mia, and his gaze


    was unfathomable.


    Mia noticed his gaze on her. She met it, refusing to back down.


    Timothy narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “As the organizer’s representative, it’s only right for you to


    present the award, Ms. Lane.”


    Hearing this, Maya had no choice but to nod in agreement despite her extreme reluctance. She was


    incredibly pissed.


    Mia smiled. She turned away from Timothy and lifted her gown as she walked on stage. It had been


    three years. Finally, she could stand on this stage again.


    Mia epted the trophy from Maya. At this moment, one of the judges, who was seated off–stage,


    said, “Ms. Bowen, your designs are almost identical to the renowned designer, Zoe’s style and ir. Are


    you two one and the same?”


    Mia smiled faintly and answered, “I don’t think I’m worthy of being known as a renowned designer. After


    all, I’ve been away from the industry for a long time now.”


    “Then why did you choose to suddenly disappear three years ago?”


    Mia felt a piercing gazend on her at this question. She looked off–stage to meet Timothy’s gaze.