Like repels like.

In one territory, two male lions cannot coexist.

Their brief harmony was only for the protection of a smaller lion.

After their brief handshake, McCarthy and Mao Kangshan got straight to the point. Both despised Monde and found the media’s behavior baffling. Finally, both pairs of eyes landed on Xia Xiaolan:

“The court hearing is on the 8th. Are you confident?”

“Yes!”

Well, they might as well trust her, though no one knew what she was planning!

“Ning is working hard for you. She’s gathered many student signatures at Cornell’s School of Architecture. Quite a few students are willing to come to support you on the hearing day. She’s also trying to find Chinese students in New York. If you have any plans, perhaps you should let her know.”

Professor McCarthy said.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “I understand, Professor. The embassy has also contacted me, offering their assistance.”

This help came on her second day in America.

The embassy had doubted Eric’s capabilities and asked if Xia Xiaolan wanted to change lawyers. With the media’s recent unfavorable turn, they’d made this suggestion twice.

Xia Xiaolan politely declined both times, expressing her trust in Eric’s professional abilities.

If not for this situation, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have realized her “personal charm” was so strong – though “personal charm” might be an exaggeration, at least she was more successful at interpersonal relationships than she’d expected.

For instance, Song Minglan, another Chinese student in New York, had managed to contact her. After sarcastically criticizing her ‘cowardice,’ Song asked if she needed help.

Song Minglan repeatedly emphasized that it was only because they were both Chinese, and she couldn’t stand seeing her being bullied so meekly by an American woman – Miss Song was only making things worse, but Xia Xiaolan didn’t expose her intentions, simply saying she’d ask for help if needed, accepting Song Minglan’s gesture of goodwill!

What surprised Xia Xiaolan more was Guan Huie calling her voluntarily.

Guan Huie had learned about the American news reports through some channels. The news suggesting Xia Xiaolan had advanced through her looks had infuriated Guan Huie, but this time, unlike with the previous rumors about Tang Yuanyue, Guan Huie didn’t think Xia Xiaolan had acted inappropriately. Instead, she was furiously cursing the journalists spreading these rumors.

Guan Huie didn’t seem like someone who would curse, so for her to do this, Xia Xiaolan was already very satisfied.

This was clear support for her, hoping she wouldn’t be defeated by the messy news. The Zhou family knew what kind of person she was; they didn’t need others’ malicious exaggerations and slander.

Finally, Guan Huie sighed:

“If only Zhou Cheng were by your side right now.”

Ah, Zhou Cheng was at his new unit, completely isolated in the initial phase. Zhou Cheng had no idea about all this mess happening abroad.

Guan Huie felt guilty about this.

Everyone likes excellent girls, but excellent girls face their difficulties. When they need your son, your son always has unavoidable circumstances, tasks, discipline… Being a family means enduring loneliness and tasting disappointment!

In this regard, Zhou Cheng would always be indebted to Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan remembered looking at her diamond ring and smiling as she told Guan Huie:

“Aunt, Zhou Cheng is always by my side.”

No matter where she was or what she encountered, Zhou Cheng was there.

This “presence” didn’t necessarily mean physically seeing him. His existence filled the void in her heart. In this world, she had so many attachments, and for these attachments, she feared nothing!

Professor McCarthy’s words had sent Xia Xiaolan into reminiscence. The support from various parties these past two days had given her more confidence in winning the lawsuit.

“I will win! I’m the student you taught – if I lose, wouldn’t that make you lose face?”

Hmph, they’d certainly taught her plenty!

Mao Kangshan and McCarthy unconsciously exchanged glances, each feeling they’d taught her more.

Before Xia Xiaolan could find Ning Xue, Liu Fen had arrived in New York.

She’d come to the hotel without telling Xia Xiaolan.

“Mom, why did you come?”

Did you come by yourself?

From China to America?

She’d told Old Tang to keep these messy reports from reaching her mother’s ears. Comrade Liu Fen couldn’t help but worry, and sure enough, Comrade Liu Fen was so formidable she’d made her way to America by herself!

Indeed, no one was following behind Liu Fen.

This wasn’t her first time abroad. A simple, timid village woman who dared to leave the Xia family and start a new life for her daughter – wasn’t coming to America just another step? A place she’d been to before, why wouldn’t she dare come again?

She’d been anxious throughout the journey, but upon seeing Xia Xiaolan, Liu Fen calmed down:

“Why shouldn’t I come? You’re in a lawsuit, I’m here to see how you’ll win!”

Xia Xiaolan hugged Liu Fen.

Grandmother Yu complained she wasn’t independent and would be a third wheel, but with such a wonderful mother, how could she be independent?

She just wanted to be clingy!

After all, her Comrade Liu Fen was simply the best, the world’s best mother, no arguments were accepted.

“Then you can accompany me to court, and watch how I win against them.”

…

Until the court hearing on April 8th, Lisa had given many interviews, while Xia Xiaolan never responded to any of the reports.

Xia Xiaolan had originally been the more outspoken one, but now their roles seemed reversed.

Daisy and others couldn’t help but worry, but no one knew what Xia Xiaolan was thinking.

Finally, April 8th arrived, and the courthouse entrance was packed with people.

There were reporters and Lisa’s supporters.

They held banners and wore matching T-shirts with words printed on them, all petitioning the court to quickly judge this absurd case – it was too ridiculous, clearly Kissinger, that GMP partner, had done something shameful, trading Lisa’s work for a Chinese female intern for profit, and when exposed, they dared to sue Lisa.

Yes, these days it wasn’t just Xia Xiaolan who’d become famous – Kissinger had too. Former GMP employees had given interviews, indirectly confirming how pragmatic Kissinger was, just a bloody great white shark tearing apart prey for profit.

Now media was saying that during Kissinger’s time as GMP New York partner, he’d used various means to win clients, including “sexual bribery.”

Which firm doesn’t use tactics to win projects?

If all bidding was completely clean, would it still be business? That would be like kindergarteners playing house!

But Kissinger’s misfortune was being pushed into the spotlight as if he were the only partner in the world who operated this way… Wait, he could admit to other allegations, but “sexual bribery” was truly false! Could any particularly beautiful female architects even enter GMP?

“Do they think those wealthy clients are idiots? With money, they could sleep with any woman they wanted, would they give commissions to GMP just because of some female architect!”

GMP’s founder was about to go crazy.

What kind of slander was this?

Had GMP grown to its current size through “sexual bribery”?

F*ck you!!

Stepping out of his car, Kissinger wanted to make this gesture at those idiots.

Just then, Lisa appeared, accompanied by her lawyer.

Lisa had become a feminist warrior, a spokesperson against unfair treatment, and a welcome interview subject for the media.

“Lisa, Lisa, can you say a few words? Are you confident about today’s hearing?”