“Not only are you unable to establish yourself in the international architectural community, but GMP headquarters also has issues with me.” Kissinger was about to explode, precisely because of this.

Was it about losing the “AIA Rising Star Award”? No, this wasn’t the AIA Gold Medal – how much weight could an inaugural experimental award carry? Monde’s casual questioning had destroyed Xia Xiaolan’s future, transforming her from a talented young architect into a fraud. Since Kissinger was the one who recommended her, it also affected his reputation – as GMP New York’s senior partner, he was accused of suppressing Lisa from GMP, making her surrender her work to Xia Xiaolan before promoting Xia Xiaolan for the competition.

GMP, being a top-tier international architectural firm, had become embroiled in such a scandal, and naturally, Kissinger had to take responsibility.

“Mr. Kissinger, I’m very sorry. Because I offended Monde Dawson, you’re now facing public scrutiny.”

Kissinger was furious, wanting to kill both Monde and snap at Xia Xiaolan. However, his anger toward Monde was greater, helping him maintain rationality. He and Xia Xiaolan were now on the same side – Monde’s move wasn’t just about bullying Xia Xiaolan; he hadn’t spared Kissinger either.

“I knew something was wrong, damn it! A few months ago, Monde called to ask about you. I thought he wanted to poach you from GMP… What did you do to offend Monde?”

Xia Xiaolan was surprised. No wonder he won the Pritzker Prize – intelligent people are meticulous in everything they do. Even for a small potential enemy, they prevent them from growing into a threat.

Xia Xiaolan explained what happened at Cornell University.

“Honestly, I never even directly confronted Monde Dawson. No wonder he has such a radical daughter and an ill-mannered wife. The Pritzker Prize recognized Monde’s architectural talent and achievements, obviously not his character!”

Just for that? Kissinger felt like coughing blood. Even if they told others, who would believe it? Arguing with his wife and daughter, then casually destroying a young architect’s future.

“Since its founding, Dawson Studio has been aggressive in taking business, and Monde Dawson himself is also— You mentioned another Chinese student; her fate will surely be the same as yours.”

Kissinger meant Ning Xue. She hadn’t applied for the “AIA Rising Star Award” because she had no independent work. This time, she had inadvertently dodged a bullet. But with Monde Dawson being so petty, Ning Xue would eventually cross paths with him.

How could newcomers fight against such powerful figures?

Most people would probably despair, but Xia Xiaolan remained rational: “Mr. Kissinger, this isn’t my ending. I don’t accept this outcome. Losing an award is trivial, but this will destroy my reputation. If I accept this, all my future works will be questioned.”

Xia Xiaolan had never planned to sweep international awards, determined to win Pritzker, AIA, RIBA… If she couldn’t become a top architect, it would only mean her talent was limited, and she could accept that!

Becoming an excellent female architect was her second career choice after establishing a business empire. Not being an architect wouldn’t affect her being a boss or making money. With enough money, she could even gather all Pritzker Prize winners to design projects for her.

But there was a difference between not being able to achieve something and being prevented from trying. Especially in this manner!

If she were a thief who stole others’ work and submitted it for awards, how could she face all her teachers? Would the professors from Huaqing’s Architecture Department, her mentor Mao Kangshan, Professor Wen, Professor McCarthy… have they all taught someone of such poor character?

Kissinger didn’t want to accept it either. He gained nothing but faced headquarters’ questioning and unfounded suspicion. As a senior partner, he wasn’t known for his good temper:

“What do you want to do? Monde, that annoying fellow, he’s angered me. Whatever you plan to do, I’ll support you!”

“What do you think I should do? I can’t hire assassins to kill Monde… I’m young, I’ve been wronged, so naturally, I should protest tearfully. I want to appeal to AIA, let them investigate, and verify whether I could lead the theater renovation project!”

Appeal?!

Monde hadn’t directly said Xia Xiaolan couldn’t participate – he merely raised doubts, mentioning he’d visited the Broadway theater and met architect Lisa. The subsequent decisions were made by the jury. Then Lisa’s resignation led to wild speculation from outsiders.

Did Lisa have the ability? Certainly, otherwise, she wouldn’t have stayed at GMP for so long. But talking about remarkable talent… Kissinger wasn’t blind; he knew exactly how talented she was!

Whoever could create value for the firm would earn more money and achieve higher status. Lisa had always been mediocre at GMP, far less capable than Hoffman, whom Xia Xiaolan had worked with. Xia Xiaolan had even felt sympathy for female architects’ workplace struggles and deliberately requested Lisa’s help.

Only to be betrayed in return.

But Lisa’s level was just that – the same at GMP, and wouldn’t suddenly improve at Dawson Studio.

Conversely, Xia Xiaolan had her level of capability. If the theater renovation wasn’t her work, she had other projects.

Kissinger’s eyes lit up: “I remember you won the C·W Competition championship—”

“Sir, that won’t work either. Remember those rumors? Since the C·W Competition was sponsored by Harold Wilson, and I knew Harold, people thought he deliberately had them give me the award. Bringing this up would only make things more unclear!”

“What about other works? Do you have any other projects?”

“I do have some, but I still had assistants for those works… I think previous works aren’t suitable. It should be a design that hasn’t been created yet, showing it step by step, from nothing to completion, in front of AIA. Let them watch me complete it. Whether I’m an intern who steals others’ work or a recognized new architect, let AIA judge for themselves!”

“You seem very confident. Do you already have a project in mind?”

“As it happens, I do have such a project.”

Building a residential complex wouldn’t interest AIA. But a museum, the kind of architecture that naturally showcases design effects – Xia Xiaolan thought that had potential.

She didn’t want to mention her previous scattered works anymore. She wanted to invite AIA to witness this museum project!

She would make AIA, who had disqualified her, slap their faces. At the same time, she would destroy Monde Dawson’s credibility. And of course, his accomplice Lisa.

Kissinger thought this idea wasn’t bad, but upon further reflection, something felt odd. Was he overthinking it?