A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 186

The stinging words slapped Matilda across the face, leaving her ashen as she watched Yvan and Carl exit the building. She sat in the lobby, lost in a daze, before eventually drifting back to her desk in the studio.

Her colleagues quickly noticed her off–kilter demeanor and gathered around with concern. “What’s wrong? Did you have a spat with the client?”

“I told you that client seemed high–maintenance; should’ve sent one of the guys. Look, they’ve gone and scared our goddess!” Yoshi brewed a comforting cup of coffee for Matilda. She muttered a small thank you, and as the warm brew trickled down, it brought a semblance of calm.

Orson, busy with his coloring work, glanced at Matilda’s slumped figure and said after a long silence, “You know Yvan?”

Matilda’s face tensed, and then she quickly turned away, “No… I don’t know him.”

“Your face tells a different story, like there’s history there,” Orson smirked cryptically. “You sure there’s nothing between you two?”

Her face turned a shade paler as she quickly denied it, “No. Impossible. If I had anything to do with him, I wouldn’t be working here now.”

“Fair point,” Orson said with a loaded tone, looking at her knowingly. “Seems he’s not a fan of your charms. I thought a beauty like you could’ve at least won us some funding.”

Matilda gave a wry smile. Yvan had never spared her a shred of affection. And her own affection had been worn away with the years of waiting.

the mood was noticeably somber. Matilda’s spirits were down, likely due to the failed investment pitch for the

with a dish of barbecued

he sponsor you if I

despise every place she existed? Was he targeting her on purpose?

the blue?” Baxter was taken aback. “Don’t quit

Chapter 186

goddess, don’t take it to heart,” Yoshi chimed in, bringing over a plate of grilled sausages. “Fancy a bite? They’re

Matilda could only offer a smile tinged with regret. If it hadn’t been her facing Yvan today, perhaps he wouldn’t

he was everywhere, determined to beat her at every turn.

Matilda thought long and hard about not dragging this out any further. Perhaps joining this studio had been

she didn’t show up for work, opting to

escape Yvan’s blacklist?

saw Orson standing there, looking every bit the well–traveled trust fund kid in his thick hoodie

startled. “How did you

on your