Chapter 326

Sophia didn't give a hoot about Daniel and Patricia as she coolly strutted onto the stage amidst thunderous applause and gasps of awe.

Despite her limited experience in the limelight, she wasn't the least bit shaky. She politely and graciously took the mic from Don, gave a bow to thank the crowd, and only started her speech once the clapping died down.

Her address was short and sweet, basically a shout-out to the company, big thanks to Don and the Starlight Group for the gig, props to everyone for their recognition, followed by a quick dive into why she designed the project in the first place. She kept her pace steady, her tone neither too humble nor haughty, exuding a cool confidence without a trace of nerves.

Sitting among the audience, Patricia had a face like thunder as she eyed Sophia on stage, her expression a mixed bag of emotions.

Though Don had mentioned the head designer was Vivian, she never thought Sophia was the lead designer, Vivian, even knowing she was a hotshot grad from a world-class uni and now the design head honcho at Star Dempsey Architects. To her, Sophia's achievements were just something money could buy, like how Daniel would set her up with a company to play at being an investor, picking any old fancy title she fancied. Profits are a bonus; losses, no biggie.

In her mind, Brandon probably saw Sophia in the same light.

Good ol' responsible Brandon, marrying Sophia to fulfill his granddad's dying wish but never treating her right, just leaving her to twiddle her thumbs in an empty house for years. And since Brandon had Yolanda on the brain, Sophia must've been clued in.

So, when they split, Brandon, feeling guilty for wasting two years of her life, decided to splash some cash and give her a golden ticket. In Patricia's eyes, it made perfect sense.

Daniel, wanting to save face, had also gilded her up, but with a degree you can actually buy, going beyond Patricia's grasp of how things work.

Even bumping into Sophia in the green room, Patricia never connected the dots between her and her dazzling work.

Sophia was too young, her Zenithan-style resort design too dazzling. Patricia couldn't fathom linking such a young chick to such a masterpiece. In her book, a legit designer should be pushing 35, loaded with smarts, experience, and eloquence, not the Sophia she pictured as a young homebody good for nothing.

Daniel was in the same boat, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

was just as twisted up inside as Patricia, including the embarrassment of openly fawning over this girl

in the face like that is no walk in the

what they were going through

the ceremony wasn't over, so no

yet.

as his

was all eyes on Sophia, arms crossed, a hint of a smile,

noticed his look, and

their expressions even darker, feeling

Daniel, only

a subtle clap, his eyes never leaving

bow, handed the mic back to Don,

passed Daniel and Patricia, she caught a glimpse of their tight jaws and ashen faces, both pretending she

them, calmly taking her

leaned in and whispered,

nodded, "Yeah, all

nailed it," he said. "You owned that

Sophia couldn't help but smile genuinely,

Brandon replied with

rest of the big

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