“Lisa seems to have objections.”

After only Xia Xiaolan and Matthew remained in the office, Matthew leaned in and whispered.

“She doesn’t trust your design ability but won’t say it out loud. She must be waiting to see us make fools of ourselves.”

Matthew had aligned his interests with Xia Xiaolan.

He had contributed to these concept drawings too.

Honestly, he thought Xia Xiaolan could only design practical, commercial styles like “Electronic Plaza.” He hadn’t expected this time to be minimalist yet romantic.

Was Xia Xiaolan romantic?

This woman’s appearance was deceptive – she was more assertive than most men.

But designing the theater’s interior this way would, if nothing else, interest young people. Young couples could go to movies, so why not musicals?

Matthew, being male, wouldn’t care, but his girlfriend would choose prettier venues… wait, he was imagining as if he had a girlfriend!

“Aren’t there plenty of people waiting to see me fail? Most people at GMP are waiting to see that. If I hadn’t agreed to your involvement, you’d be among them too. I don’t care about Lisa’s thoughts.”

Xia Xiaolan saw through Matthew’s intentions.

By speaking ill of Lisa, he was trying to push her out and get closer to the team’s core position.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t be fooled.

At least Lisa had more experience than Matthew – he couldn’t completely replace her role.

Matthew looked serious, “That’s not true! We’ve always been a team from Cornell. Our two-person squad needs to work together to establish ourselves at GMP. When you see me getting close to those people, I’m just gathering intelligence, checking if anyone’s badmouthing you behind your back… Look, Lisa’s going to Kissinger’s office. I bet she’s going to badmouth you.”

Matthew desperately denied ever having wanted to see her fail.

He wasn’t looking to mock anyone – now he was afraid of being mocked himself.

Having just finished the meeting, Lisa going to see Kissinger alone made even Xia Xiaolan suspicious.

“I hope Lisa isn’t going because of this. If she is, I’ll have no choice but to replace her.”

Having complaints but not discussing them directly, instead going over her head to management – this was taboo in any workplace!

Kissinger had suggested several candidates then, but Xia Xiaolan had chosen Lisa herself. She remembered how Lisa worked diligently with minimal talk when assisting Hoffman. Women had few opportunities to advance in this field, and as a woman herself, she had wanted to choose Lisa… Now it seemed that might have been a mistake.

Replace Lisa?

They’d still need another architect to participate. Who would it be? Matthew’s mind raced.

…

“Lisa, how’s your group’s progress? I heard Xia has been watching shows with Mrs. Wilson daily. It seems she’s found inspiration for the theater renovation plan.”

Kissinger paused his work, smiling as he spoke to Lisa.

“Yes sir, today Xia presented her concept plan. It’s a beautiful design – I loved it immediately. I don’t think you need to worry about client dissatisfaction.”

Lisa’s words carried a subtle meaning.

As a team member, she was seeing Xia Xiaolan’s concept plan for the first time today. This meant Xia Xiaolan had developed the concept independently, without consulting team members.

No wonder Lisa had come to his office.

Kissinger frowned, “It seems I need to talk with Xia. However, Lisa, you should communicate with Xia first about any issues. This commission is different from others – it can only be led by Xia.”

Without Xia Xiaolan, this business would be lost.

The client specifically requested and would only accept Xia Xiaolan’s design. What could Kissinger do?

To retain the client and protect GMP’s reputation, he could only let Xia Xiaolan design while providing her with useful assistants.

Lisa’s presence on Xia Xiaolan’s team had an oversight element, but this “oversight” wasn’t about constantly reporting to Kissinger. Rather, it was about helping Xia Xiaolan correct mistakes when found… Lisa’s real role was to help Xia Xiaolan, not to tattle!

The team had only been together for a few days, and before even showing the concept to the client, there was discord.

Kissinger found it troublesome and couldn’t help but reprimand Lisa:

“Whether the client likes the plan is Xia’s concern. Lisa, I must remind you, that when your team was formed, I recommended Nigel and Gordon to Xia, but she specifically chose you. I think you should make your work worthy of that trust, okay?”

Nigel and Gordon!

Both were more senior architects than Lisa.

Not as famous as Hoffman, but much more renowned than Lisa.

Lisa blushed.

Was Kissinger suggesting she shouldn’t come to his office to tattle?

“Sir, I’ll take my leave.”

Lisa left somewhat embarrassed.

Kissinger’s meaning was clear – everyone on this team was to serve Xia Xiaolan because she had brought this client to GMP. Without her, the client would leave.

If Lisa wouldn’t cooperate with Xia Xiaolan, to ensure the commission’s success, Kissinger would have to replace her with someone who would.

Lisa hadn’t been unaware before, she just hadn’t expected… Kissinger’s position to be so firm.

A female architect spending years at the firm without advancing wasn’t just due to gender bias in architecture – it was also related to her abilities.

Ability wasn’t just about professional expertise, but also emotional intelligence.

Unable to read the situation when choosing sides – no wonder Lisa remained buried.

After leaving Kissinger’s office, Lisa felt uneasy, especially when Xia Xiaolan later visited Kissinger’s office.

Lisa thought Xia Xiaolan would replace her, but Kissinger apparently hadn’t told her about Lisa’s visit, and Lisa remained safely on Xia Xiaolan’s team for now.

But Lisa’s attitude had changed – she dared not resist passively anymore.

When Xia Xiaolan asked for her opinion, her attitude became much more proper.

Matthew’s eyes often watched her, waiting for her to make mistakes… These two interns each had their difficulties.

Two more days passed, and Xia Xiaolan completed her refined concept plan and arranged to meet Mrs. Wilson. However, Mrs. Wilson said she didn’t have time to come to the office and asked if Xia Xiaolan could bring the plan to her New York residence:

“You know my driver already – he’ll pick you up. Xia, this trip will be worth your while.”

Mrs. Wilson was being mysterious.

Though it was broad daylight, Xia Xiaolan still brought Matthew along.

As a design team member, he could naturally join client meetings!

The car carried her and Matthew through New York City, finally reaching the Wilsons’ New York residence. Following Central Park north and east led to New York’s famous wealthy district, the Upper East Side.

“This is where financial and investment banking magnates live. Xia, with Mrs. Wilson as your client, perhaps all the doors of the Upper East Side will open for you.”

Matthew’s tone revealed his envy.