Chapter 47

+15 BONUS

Mia slowly stood up. She could feel several gazes landing on her.

Shelly looked at Maya in disbelief. “Has there been some sort of mistake, Maya? How can Mia win first
place? 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–place 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 glanced at Timothy anxiously. As expected, he
was looking at Mia.
novelbin

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

champagne–colored dress accentuated 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 playing 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. “Congratulations on your victory.

“Instead of congratulating me, I think it’s only right for you to apologize, Ms. Lane. After all, the Fleur
International Design Competition is such an important competition. If mistakes like this were to happen
all the time, would anyone have faith in its authenticity and fairness?”

12

+15 BONUS

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

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 accepted 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 flair. 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 gaze land on her at this question. She looked off–stage to meet Timothy’s gaze.