Matthew’s smile gradually faded.

Xia Xiaolan took the documents from the assistant, “Matthew, I know Wilson Hotel – have you forgotten we went there together to receive the award? I’ll deliver these documents as quickly as possible, so I don’t need your kind help!”

What a calculating boy, always trying to get ahead, not even letting go of a chance to deliver documents.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t possibly let him do it!

Grey was off today, and Hoffman probably didn’t know the interns should have the day off. When he called the office, he naturally asked for Xia Xiaolan to deliver the documents, since she had become familiar with him these past days.

Xia Xiaolan headed straight to Wilson Hotel with the documents.

This was her third time coming here.

Some guests were checking in at the hotel lobby – it wasn’t as quiet as she had imagined.

It seemed Harold had done good crisis management, helping the public forget about the previous shooting incident. The hotel’s business was slowly recovering.

“I’m from GMP Architecture, delivering documents.”

“37th floor, someone will receive you when you get up there.”

“Thank you.”

Xia Xiaolan followed the instructions and went straight to the 37th floor.

This was Wilson Hotel’s executive management floor.

Hotel management rarely occupied the top floor – it would be wasteful to use the best views for offices. They should be developed into premium suites instead.

Sure enough, someone guided her to the office when she reached the 37th floor. Xia Xiaolan had planned to just deliver the documents and leave, but she was directed further inside: “Mr. Hoffman from GMP is waiting for you inside.”

What the hell – Hoffman was waiting for her?

Both Hoffman and GMP’s New York partner Andrew Kissinger were inside, along with Harold, whom she hadn’t seen in over a month.

Harold was still the same – the shooting incident had barely affected him.

Everyone was discussing the design plans GMP had submitted today. Xia Xiaolan’s arrival didn’t interrupt the discussion; Harold glanced at her before returning his attention to the projection screen.

Xia Xiaolan quickly approached Hoffman and handed over the documents.

Hoffman nodded and said quietly: “Stay and listen in.”

Oh? She could stay?

An intern should quietly leave, but she could stay… Xia Xiaolan certainly wouldn’t refuse!

GMP Architecture practiced minimalism.

Clean, flowing lines were a common feature in many GMP works.

Five-star hotels were usually associated with luxury. GMP’s brilliance lay in maintaining the firm’s consistent style while meeting five-star hotel standards – minimalism wasn’t about being cheap, it greatly tested the designer’s aesthetic sense.

When it was Hoffman’s turn to speak, Xia Xiaolan listened intently:

“Must a hotel just be a hotel? New York has so many hotels, built at different times, with different styles, scattered throughout the city. GMP presents to you a new hotel that will enrich the city’s texture, different from the traditional five-star hotel’s grandeur—”

Being unique meant being different from others.

Among all the grand and luxurious hotels, Wilson Hotel’s new building in Washington stood out distinctively.

In Washington, there was the White House, symbolizing America’s federal power center.

In GMP’s design, the building’s exterior was pure white, perhaps paying homage to the White House. Xia Xiaolan thought it was truly beautiful – if she were leading the design, she might not have had Hoffman’s bold vision.

Harold listened attentively, occasionally discussing with Hoffman.

After Hoffman finished, Harold suddenly smiled:

“Was the C·W Architecture Competition champion involved in this design? I handed the champion’s trophy to Miss Xia. Though young, she has real ability… I look forward to seeing GMP’s further design presentation.”

Swish swish swish—

All eyes turned to Xia Xiaolan.

As a junior intern, Xia Xiaolan could only offer a polite smile.

Had Harold gone mad?

With this statement, GMP would have to include her in the project if they weren’t foolish.

But participating through Harold’s recommendation?

Please, this wasn’t what Xia Xiaolan wanted at all.

Before Hoffman could speak, partner Kissinger smiled and responded: “Of course, GMP is very willing to give opportunities to young designers. If we don’t let young people participate, how can we cultivate excellent talent?”

The two parties seemed to reach some understanding, while Xia Xiaolan, the person in question, wasn’t very happy.

Throughout the meeting, Hoffman never opened the documents Xia Xiaolan had delivered. Even if she were foolish, she should understand what was happening — the documents weren’t important; what mattered was getting Xia Xiaolan to come over, and whose idea that was was obvious!

Hoffman seemed to belatedly remember:

“Didn’t Grey mention yesterday that the interns had today off? Take the day off then, no need to return to the office with us.”

Partner Mr. Kissinger, who had never spoken to her before, also smiled at her.

Holding back her frustration, Xia Xiaolan remained after GMP’s people left, facing Harold in the conference room.

Harold had others leave:

“You don’t need to be so angry. I think I helped you. No need to thank me too much, Miss Intern.”

Xia Xiaolan took a deep breath, “You think this was helping?”

What would GMP’s people think of her now?

Xia Xiaolan wanted to learn useful things from GMP. She wouldn’t have minded if Grey had given her more work – she didn’t want to be seen as someone with connections, coasting through the remaining time — Harold had made things worse!

“Harold, you must know how others will view me because of this. Do you have something against me?”

Was Harold still holding a grudge about what happened in Pengcheng?

Just because she hadn’t accepted his goodwill?

Harold stood up, “If I were you, I would smile and say thank you. Without my casual mention, your two months at GMP would be a waste of time. GMP is different from Foster’s and P&W – from the start, they didn’t want to accept C·W competition’s top three as interns. If you were at Foster’s or P&W, you might already be involved in project design, but at GMP, if I’m not mistaken, you’re still doing miscellaneous tasks, right?”

He certainly knew what the result would be.

After casually asking, GMP’s partner understood well, hence the impromptu request for Xia Xiaolan to deliver documents.

Xia Xiaolan was rendered speechless by the mockery – she had to thank Harold for his goodwill.

Harold smiled lightly, “You’re a strange person, sometimes a businesswoman, sometimes a scholar. If you consider this offensive or interfering with your plan to earn GMP’s recognition through your ability, you can prove yourself with your work, throwing the results in my face — you don’t think I would choose GMP’s work just because I know you when it comes to the final project decision, do you?”

Shameless when acting like a businesswoman.

Hard to fathom pride when acting like a scholar.

Xia Xiaolan was just such a complex, changeable person. If ordinary methods could please or move her, Harold’s interest wouldn’t have lasted this long.

If ordinary methods didn’t work, extraordinary ones were needed.

Completely accommodating Xia Xiaolan?

No, no, no – too many men were willing to do that for Xia Xiaolan, and Harold didn’t want to be just one among many.

The blush on Xia Xiaolan’s cheeks must be from anger… which made her excessively beautiful.