Chapter 48

A trace of mockery flashed in Mia’s eyes. “Some personal matters delayed me for three years, that’s

all.”

Three years ago, she’d married Timothy. Off stage, Timothy frowned. Was she saying that he’d held

her back for three years?

He leaned back, feeling annoyed as he glared at Mia. How dare she imply that! She was the one who’d

married him for money!

Maya subconsciously glanced at Timothy. When she noticed how he only had eyes for Mia, she

clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Her gaze darkened.

At this moment, the chief coordinator said, “Feel free to say a few more words, Ms. Bowen. Quite a

number of people here are curious to know more about Zoe’s -or perhaps I should say, your–

participation in this competition.”

Mia accepted the microphone with a glance at Maya. “Firstly, I have to thank Ms. Lane for allowing me

to experience going from being eliminated to winning first place.”

Maya could barely keep her smile in place. Still, she had to force herself to put on an awkward smile.

Mia looked at the audience off–stage and continued, “Secondly, I want to thank someone else for my

victory today. If not for him, I wouldn’t be where I am now, nor would I have won this award.“1

The chief coordinator asked excitedly, “And who would that be?”

Mia smiled without answering. She walked off stage with the trophy in hand and headed in a specific

direction.

Maya watched as Mia headed in Timothy’s direction. Her expression shifted. What was Mia trying to

do?

Timothy watched as Mia came in his direction. His face remained emotionless, but his eyes flashed. He

slowly sat up straight as his heart inexplicably started racing. He tried to figure out what Mia was up to

as she approached. Was she playing hard to get again?

Mia stopped before him. His breathing hitched; he even straightened his legs as he watched her with a

dark gaze.

Everyone’s gazes landed on them. At this moment, Mia looked down at him with

Timothy stiffened and watched as Mia breezed past him. Her champagne–colored dress brushed

against the back of his hand; the scented material was as smooth as her skin.

Timothy’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. His fingers twitched, but he didn’t

manage to catch anything. He turned to see Mia moving past two rows of seats to throw herself into a

man’s arms. Timothy pursed his lips tightly as his

expression became frostier than ever.

The crowd started cheering when they saw Mia throw her arms around a man. Some of the men even

whistled.

Mia looked up at Liam as she hugged him. With a smile, she said, “Thanks, Liam.”

If not for him realizing that something was amiss with the competition and requesting for the judges to

score the designs again, she probably would’ve missed her opportunity today.

Liam didn’t expect Mia to be so happy. He caressed her on the head. “It was nothing. You’re the one

with the talent to back yourself up.”

He thought Dominic had pulled some strings to make this happen. Earlier, he’d been genuinely worried

upon seeing how Mia had been picked on. It was a

surprise to find out that Mia was actually Zoe.

Mia smiled a little shyly. “It’s been three years, so I wasn’t too confident in myself.”

When she’d first learned about being eliminated, she’d only felt upset. She’d even thought that things

would’ve been different if she hadn’t given up three years ago to marry Timothy.

Fortunately, the heavens were still in favor of her.

As the people around them continued cheering, Mia glanced at the first row out of the corner of her

eye. She wanted to see the look on Timothy’s face.