Chapter 3

The bidding conference of the Sky Center project was full of people.

I sat at an inconspicuous corner and watched as the representative of Sun Design Co. walked onto the stage.

It was none other than Samuel.

He had put on a slim-fit professional suit with leather shoes that day. His hair was neatly done. His naive and innocent demeanor had been replaced by the confidence of a seasoned professional.

He took a deep breath and started describing the concept of his design.

“My design is inspired by the Eyes of the City. We don’t want it to be a cold building, but something that can breathe with this city. We hope it can be a living thing that witnesses the city’s development…”

Those were the exact words I once told Linda. Night after night, I made coffee and burned the midnight oil as I told her those very things.

I once thought that trust was the unspoken bond between our souls as a married couple.

Finally, I learned that I was only playing a part, and Linda had been the most patient thief.

What was more ironic was that Linda was sitting with the judges as a specially invited VIP.

Her long hair was tied up, and she had put on exquisite makeup. She looked like the professional elite that I was most familiar with.

She listened to Samuel attentively. She nodded from time to time. When she looked at Samuel, her eyes shone in a way I had never seen. She regarded Samuel as her treasure, and she was eager to show him off to the world.

She ignored me. I was sitting in a corner below the stage. She made it seem like I was just an irrelevant backdrop.

My phone vibrated briefly in my palm. It was a text from Alex.

[Do you need me there with some weapons?]

I looked at the screen and smiled a little despite my tightly pursed lips. I texted him back.

[Wait.]

Samuel’s speech reached its climax as he stood on the stage. The final image of his presentation was the one stolen from my computer.

The audience exclaimed softly.

When Samuel ended his speech, he received a roar of applause.

The host walked to the stage. “Thank you for your brilliant presentation, Mr. Wilson. Let’s ask our specially invited judge, Ms. Clark, for some comments on this proposal. She’s the most experienced senior in the field and comes from Dream Co.”

Linda accepted the microphone. She cleared her throat before she looked at Samuel and spoke up.

“To be honest, I’m very surprised. Mr. Wilson’s design perfectly balances aesthetic values with practicality. Plus, he made some adjustments to the few load-bearing structures. It’s very bold, and he’s full of talent.”

She claimed that Samuel was talented. At the same time, she used that to hurt me.

After a pause, she scanned the audience.

“I must admit that this design is undoubtedly the best today.”

The audience clapped enthusiastically.

I could hear nothing but loud silence besides the beating of my own heart.

The host smiled and chimed in, “Thank you for your high praise, Ms. Clark! It looks like Sun Design Co. might surely get this project! Is there any other guest or judge who would like to ask Mr. Wilson any questions?”

There was only silence.

After Linda, the expert, spoke so clearly, there was nothing more to say.

Samuel bowed on the stage and could not hide his smug happiness.

I pocketed my phone and stood up when everyone was about to clap again. I did not make any sudden movements, but I attracted everyone’s attention.

The host was stunned. “Sir, may I know who you are?”

Linda’s smile froze on her face.