"This matter ends here. Don’t get involved."

Adrian Preston’s tone was firm and authoritative, leaving Theo Thorne unable to say much more.

Theo Thorne mumbled under his breath, "She heard all that nonsense people were saying. She must have been devastated."

Adrian Preston kept his head down, focused on his paperwork as if he hadn’t heard a thing, but his grip on the pen tightened.

After Theo Thorne left, he picked up his phone, intending to contact Mia Kane, but in the end, he sent no explanation.

’There are some things she doesn’t need to know.’

...

After dealing with matters at the villa, Mia Kane rushed to her design studio.

Two days, and they still hadn’t managed to hire a single person. It was a bleak situation.

Rosalyn Shield was going frantic.

"Don’t worry. If we can’t hire anyone, then we can’t hire anyone. We’ll just do custom orders, with just the two of us working. We’ll take it one order at a time!"

"Girl, do you think I’m worried about not being able to hire anyone? I’m worried about your bet with Vivian Lynch! You’ve got some nerve, making a boast like that. Come on, level with me. You have a secret weapon, don’t you?"

"There’s no secret weapon. I just figure there’s no way they can get Nona to come, either. It’ll end in a draw, so what do I have to be afraid of?"

"Really?"

"Relax. Why would Nona pass up invitations from major international brands to come develop her career here? It’s impossible!"

Mia Kane was just spouting nonsense.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Rosalyn Shield, but with matters like this, the fewer people who knew, the safer it was.

She was just waiting for the three months to be up. Either she would have to close up shop and live off the million-US-dollar monthly salary from Vivian Lynch...

...or Vivian Lynch would admit defeat and have to shut down her own company.

Either way, she came out ahead.

In fact, you could call it a massive win!

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

Just then, someone arrived.

Rosalyn Shield immediately went out to greet him, her eyes lighting up. "Hello, how can I help you? We specialize in menswear, womenswear, children’s wear..."

"Mia, long time no see."

Mia Kane froze as well, speechless for a long moment.

"You... you’re Senior Sinclair?"

Owen Sinclair smiled. "I’m flattered you still remember me. Long time no see."

"What? You two know each other?"

"He was a senior of mine in college. He was recommended for a postgraduate program abroad—he’s brilliant. Senior, let’s go get something to eat and we can catch up."

"It’s about lunchtime. My treat."

"No, I should be treating you."

"Don’t argue with me. You can get it next time, okay?"

Mia Kane relented. Owen Sinclair drove her to a restaurant, which turned out to be a very upscale French establishment.

She recalled that Owen Sinclair’s family was very well-off, but she didn’t know what they did for a living.

Owen Sinclair, ever the gentleman, had her order first.

"Senior, why are you back in the country? I thought you were staying abroad to develop your career."

"I decided I wanted to come back and build something here, to launch my own original brand."

The creative climate in the country hasn’t been good for the past few years; plagiarism is rampant.

Then you have others who don’t bother with genuine original design, but instead exploit a sense of national pride, playing the ’support domestic brands’ card to fleece consumers.

Mia Kane had held fast to her original aspirations through the years, a sentiment that resonated with Owen Sinclair.

Back in school, the two of them had been their advisor’s most outstanding students.

Their advisor had strongly encouraged her to pursue further studies abroad, but unfortunately, Mia Kane chose Chase Lockwood at the time and didn’t go.

But she hadn’t let her advisor down; she was still on the same path.

"I don’t know if you’d welcome me, but... how about letting me be a shareholder and work for you?"

"Of course! I’d be more than happy to have you. I’d give you the whole thing and work for *you*."

Mia Kane was overjoyed. It would be amazing if Owen Sinclair was willing to help her.

"Have you really made no progress these past few years? I saw a design from the big fashion competition that had a style very similar to yours. I tried to connect with the person, but the organizers said the designer was very private and didn’t want to be in the spotlight, so I couldn’t get in touch..."

As Owen Sinclair said this, his eyes were fixed on Mia Kane.

Mia Kane’s conscience pricked her.

"It was you, wasn’t it?"

"I’m surprised you still remember my style, Senior."

"Bold yet delicate, unbothered by convention, and your ideas are always so whimsical and imaginative. The moment I saw that design, I thought of you. I’d been worried you had just disappeared after graduation; I thought you’d left the industry altogether."

"If you had entered, Senior, you would have done even better than me."

"Then why not publicize it and make a name for yourself? You wouldn’t be struggling to hire people then."

He couldn’t believe Mia Kane was still worrying about recruitment.

"Senior, please keep this a secret for me. I have other plans for this."

"Alright, I’ll do as you say."

The food arrived quickly. As Mia Kane ate with her head lowered, Owen Sinclair gave a helpless smile. "Look at you, you’re a bit of a messy eater."

Before Mia Kane even realized, Owen Sinclair’s hand had reached out and gently wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth.

"You’ve got food all over your mouth. Just like a little kid."

Mia Kane laughed. "I can get it myself..."

Before the words were out of her mouth, she heard a familiar voice.

"President Preston, how about this place?"

"Yes, this place is fine."

Mia Kane froze for a second before immediately looking over. It was Adrian Preston, trailed by a man who was bowing and scraping.

’They must be here to discuss business.’

’Adrian Preston didn’t even glance in my direction; he probably hasn’t seen me.’

He walked straight toward the private rooms on the second floor.

"What are you looking at?" Owen Sinclair glanced behind him but saw nothing."

"N-nothing."

Mia Kane said hurriedly. For some reason, her heart was pounding with guilt.

’Even if Adrian Preston saw us, so what? I have a normal social life. I’m just out to dinner with a friend who happens to be a man, not sneaking off to a hotel room. What am I so scared for?’

"Back in school, I heard some rumors that you gave up the opportunity for advanced studies for a man. Is that true?"

"Yes."

Mia Kane didn’t try to hide it, simply nodding in acknowledgment.

"So, are you two getting married? Remember to invite me; I’ll be sure to have a wedding gift for you."

Owen Sinclair chuckled softly.

"We broke up."

"When did that happen?"

"Just a little while ago."

Owen Sinclair’s heart stirred, and he silently clenched his fist. His subtle probing had finally gotten him the answer he wanted.

"So, you’re single now?"

That question gave her pause.

’Am I single? Not in the strictest sense. But there’s no love between Adrian Preston and me; our marriage could end any day.’

"Yes, I’m single..."

"President Preston, I’ve already booked a table for us upstairs. Won’t it be a bit too crowded down here on the first floor? It’s beneath a man of your status."

Just then, a voice sounded from behind them.

Mia Kane spun around immediately, her eyes locking with Adrian Preston’s deep, piercing gaze.

’Mia Kane’s heart thundered in her chest. How could this be happening?’

"I’ve run into a friend. Let’s discuss our collaboration another time."

Adrian Preston said coolly. The other man looked hesitant but didn’t dare to object, and could only leave reluctantly.

"Adrian Preston?"

Owen Sinclair greeted him warmly. "What a coincidence to run into you here."

’Mia Kane’s heart sank. They know each other?’