With such a major project at hand, there was no need to merely use it for Xia Xiaolan’s publicity or have her intern at GMP Architecture – she could directly design the new hotel and make her name instantly famous in architectural circles.

“We will further refine our current design direction and ensure Mr. Harold’s satisfaction,” Hoffman finally remembered to offer a diplomatic response.

Harold smiled and had someone escort the GMP team out.

Xia Xiaolan also breathed a sigh of relief. Heaven knows how Hoffman would explode after leaving Wilson Hotel, but she would rather face his anger than let him think she was useless. Without opportunities, how could she grow at GMP?

Following Hoffman downstairs, the atmosphere was incredibly tense. Another architect who had come along hadn’t had a chance to speak and wisely remained silent now. Who knew how Hoffman would react? What storm awaited this intern back at GMP? Surely Hoffman wouldn’t just accept defeat – Xia Xiaolan had directly challenged his authority earlier.

However, this intern wasn’t as incompetent as office rumors suggested. Her impromptu design additions weren’t nonsense – it was clear she had put in considerable effort to understand and integrate the team’s existing design concepts with her ideas.

All three remained silent. Xia Xiaolan had already demonstrated what she needed to show – true ability speaks louder than words. Adding more verbal justification now would be excessive. She would quietly await her “fate.”

Back at GMP, Kissinger called Hoffman away.

Matthew ran over, “Xia, do you need any help?”

Xia Xiaolan gave him a pointed look, “You’re doing this on purpose!”

Everyone in the company knew she was being sidelined, the most idle person in the entire GMP office – how could she possibly need help? Moreover, as an intern herself who received “special treatment,” she couldn’t possibly direct another intern’s work.

Matthew shrugged, “Well, I just wanted to know if things went smoothly at Wilson Hotel today.”

Xia Xiaolan thought it went quite well, but instead of discussing her situation, she “encouraged” Matthew: “I saw Mr. Holmes from P&W bring Ning Xue to Wilson Hotel. It seems interns can participate in projects after all. Senior Carlton looks like you need to step up your game.”

This “encouragement” clearly struck a nerve with Matthew:

“Xia, aren’t you the one who should be worried? When it comes to meeting clients with project leaders, Ning earned her place through actual ability.”

What did Xia Xiaolan rely on?

Everyone knew the answer, and Matthew felt no need to spell it out. The unfavorable rumors were still contained within GMP rather than spreading throughout Cornell’s School of Architecture – Matthew considered himself quite gentlemanly about it! He had only heard the gossip in the office break room and hadn’t maliciously spread it further. Shouldn’t Xia Xiaolan be grateful to him?

“Matthew, come here for a moment.”

Miss Grey called Matthew again. He sauntered off, appearing pleased with himself.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but laugh at his attitude – so easily satisfied with running errands.

When Grey called Matthew over, it wasn’t for errands as Xia Xiaolan had assumed. The unexpected news nearly knocked Matthew over with joy.

“Grey, is this real?”

Grey nodded, “Of course it is. Mr. Hoffman just asked about your recent performance. I told him you’ve done very well, and he decided to give you some simple design work. Don’t disappoint Mr. Hoffman’s trust!”

In his overwhelming joy, Matthew maintained a sliver of rationality, “No, Grey, this is your trust in me. If you hadn’t recommended me to Mr. Hoffman, he wouldn’t have given me this chance.”

He couldn’t help glancing in Xia Xiaolan’s direction.

What a shame – Xia Xiaolan had started on the right path. If she had just earned Grey’s trust, she would naturally have had opportunities to work on projects. After all, while Hoffman didn’t manage interns directly, Grey could report on intern performance to him.

Now she had exposed herself as someone who relied on connections too early, and GMP strongly resented her for it.

An hour later, Hoffman’s team held a meeting, with Matthew in attendance. Xia Xiaolan sat at the large conference table, and Matthew was surprisingly allowed to sit at the far end – by seniority, he belonged next to Xia Xiaolan.

Though they both sat at the grand table, Matthew’s feelings were quite different. Xia Xiaolan was there through connections, while he had earned his place through hard work! He couldn’t let Xia Xiaolan’s reputation taint GMP’s impression of him. Matthew had lofty ambitions.

Xia Xiaolan ignored his smugness.

Hoffman’s gaze swept across everyone before he announced an unexpected decision:

“Starting today, Xia will officially join the Wilson Hotel project design team. The final bidding is in a few days, and I met Holmes from P&W at Wilson Hotel today – their progress is concerning…”

Hoffman continued at length, but everyone only heard the first sentence.

Officially joining the project design team?

Was this what they thought it meant?

Had taking Xia Xiaolan to Wilson Hotel today proved so beneficial that even Hoffman had to compromise due to her connections?

Matthew looked at Xia Xiaolan beside him with contempt. Shouldn’t she feel ashamed to be included this way? Yet she sat there unfazed – just as he initially thought, her psychological resilience was impressive and difficult to deal with!

Xia Xiaolan naturally felt everyone’s unfriendly gazes.

What was Hoffman’s intention? Did he acknowledge her ability while punishing her initiative?

Hoffman proved more magnanimous than Xia Xiaolan expected. After explaining the work arrangements for the coming days, he produced the design Xia Xiaolan had shown to Harold:

“Look at this drawing. What’s different?”

“Hey, who modified our design?”

“There are changes – the sharp angles are softer now.”

“Hans, if you had new ideas, you should have told us earlier…”

Hoffman tapped the table, “No, these aren’t my modifications. They’re Xia’s ideas, and our client approved of this direction in today’s meeting. This is why I’m having her join the project! We have just days left – whether we can beat Foster and P&W depends on our work in these final days. I don’t want suspicion within the team; we must work together to win this client!”

Hoffman had wanted to teach Xia Xiaolan a lesson about challenging authority. However, after speaking with partner Kissinger, he decided to prioritize the bigger picture.

Since the client liked Xia Xiaolan’s modified design direction, Hoffman would support these changes. Without explaining the situation, the team would continue to ostracize Xia Xiaolan, making harmonious cooperation impossible.

As team members whispered among themselves, Hoffman added:

“Xia is a student who just started interning at the firm. She lacks practical experience, so help her adapt quickly. Cornell sent us two interns – since Xia can join the project design team, the other intern… yes, you – Matthew, right? You’ll assist Xia in getting up to speed with the work!”