Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Kim suddenly found herself getting cold feet. Although she had thrown down the gauntlet, she didn’t

actually want to pick it up. She turned to the others in the studio, hoping for support, but they all

avoided her gaze, clearly unwilling to get involved in the conflict, Kim felt embarrassed and furious.

Weren’t these people constantly complaining about Maja? Why were they backing down now when it

mattered?

A part of Kim’s anger was directed at herself. She knew she couldn’t measure up to Maja’s talent, so

why did she stick her neck out in the first place? She clenched her hand tightly, almost digging her nails

into her palm

“This isn’t fair, Maja lan is into you right now, and he must have revealed his design preferences to you!

We’re in the dark, how can we compete with you?” Kim tried to find an excuse for herself, believing that

even if she lost, it was because Maja had an advantage from the start.

But Maja blushed it off, her tone light. “If you don’t want to compete, then don’t. There’s no need to

make such a fuss about it.”

Maja remained calm and composed throughout the exchange, a stark contrast to Kim’s Indignation.

Kim felt humiliated as if she had been slapped in the face. Why was Maja always so cold toward her?

Why did she always put her on the spot?

Kim needed help understanding lan’s taste. Why would he prefer Maja’s designs? Resentment brewed

within her, but she didn’t dare to voice it out loud. She felt bitter, realizing that she would struggle to

stay afloat in the studio if she didn’t participate in the competition.

With determination in her eyes, Kim made a firm decision. “Fine, we’ll compete. But you have to take

me with you to meet lan.”

Maja frowned, questioning why she should bring Kim along.

Kim pressed on, trying to convince her. “You’ll have plenty more opportunities to see him, right? Just

think of it as bringing a colleague along to learn something. I won’t be a third wheel. Are you afraid that

lan will get to know my design philosophy and fall for me?”

As Kim spoke, her face turned red with determination. Ian’s looks, physique, and aura were irresistible

to the opposite sex. What was she doing in this tiny studio if she could catch his eye?

Amused by Kim’s thoughts, Maja couldn’t help but find it entertaining. Ian had waited so many years,

and it wouldn’t be easy for him to fall in love with someone else. Even Maja, his wife in name only,

hadn’t seen him once in the three years they were married. How could Kim believe that one look from

lan would be enough for him to fall in love?

Maja didn’t want to argue with Kim any further and frowned. “Why should I do that when we’re

competitors?”

Kim was left/speechless, seething with rage. She glared at Maja as she calmly picked up the

documents on her desk, nodded at Maxwell, and left. Maja was only working part–time at the studio, so

she did not need to stick around all day.

Watching Maja leave, Kim’s resentment deepened. She was determined to snatch the project from

Maja’s hands. There had to be other ways to get close to lan. Sitting next to Kim, Maxwell rubbed his

temples to ease the tension. “Kim, lan is already married. It just hasn’t been reported in the media.”

Kim couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Impossible!” she instinctively retorted, but Maxwell’s tone

left no room for doubt.

“His cousin, Ryan, mentioned it himself.”

Maxwell chose not to mention that Ryan had also revealed that lan was in the process of getting a

divorce, fearing that Kim might act recklessly upon hearing the news.

However, determination gleamed in Kim’s eyes. After a momentary shock, she regained her

composure. The fact that lan’s marriage hadn’t made the news indicated that his wife’s family

background wasn’t significant, or else the media would have reported on it by now.

Initially thinking she could not meet lan, but Kim now saw an opportunity to approach lan’s wife.