Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Maja was well aware that Kim was throwing shade at her, but she chose not to respond. Instead, she walked over to her
workspace and took a seat.
Kim, however, was far from pleased. If Maxwell had allowed her to connect with lan, she was certain she could have secured the
project. After all, lan’s agreement was primarily due to his friendship with Maxwell, and Maja herself played a relatively minor
role.
In Kim’s eyes, Maja had stumbled upon a fortunate opportunity, and now everyone was making a fuss about it. She couldn’t help
but feel a ticking bomb of resentment building up within her.
“Why do all good things happen to her? Kim muttered, feeling envious and frustrated.
Kim knew the interior design industry provided ample opportunities to mingle with the wealthy. There had been instances where
people were caught having affairs with clients, much to the dismay of their spouses. Kim’s first step was being attractive and
aspiring to climb the social ladder, cozying up to Maxwell.
But so far, she hadn’t gained anything from it. She had set her sights on lan long ago and even invited him to her birthday
celebration. However, Maxwell had informed her that he and lan needed to be closer for him to facilitate an introduction, and she
should rely on her own skills.
If they weren’t close, how did Maja end up meeting lan? Kim had missed out on this opportunity, while Maja had seized it and
managed to establish a connection.
Everyone had been striving for the same goal, so why did Maja get to act all superior? It was sickening.
Kim’s words were clearly directed at Maja; naturally, Maja wouldn’t let it slide. She looked up and confronted Kim, asking, “Are
you talking about me?”
Kim huffed, “If I’m not talking about you, then who else could it be?”
Maja nodded and responded thoughtfully, “No one else has secured an order from lan“.
Every word uttered by Maja felt like a needle pricking Kim. She was furious. “Don’t get cocky! lan accepted you only because of
Maxwell. What does it have to do with you?!” Maxwell, who was standing nearby, frowned. He knew he didn’t play a significant
role in Maja securing the project. It was her own ability that had impressed lan.
“Kim,” Maxwell intervened, not wanting the atmosphere in the studio to become tense. The studio was growing, and he
recognized that Kim had some talent. Feeling wronged, Kim’s eyes welled up with tears as she accused Maxwell, “Maxwell, I
know you and Maja are college buddies, but you can’t play favorites.” Kim’s statement resonated with others in the studio, and
murmurs of agreement arose.
“I didn’t help with lan’s order. He doesn’t even remember me from high school. Maja earned it on her own,” Maxwell clarified,
hoping to address the misunderstanding. The murmurs in the studio grew, filled with disbelief. Wasn’t Maxwell supposed to
defend Kim?.
Maja couldn’t bear seeing Maxwell in such a difficult position. He always strived to maintain a relaxed atmosphere in the studio,
where everyone treated each other as partners.
Slowly standing up, Maja addressed the room. “If anyone has a problem with this, you can get to know the client’s preferences,
submit your design to Maxwell, and he car pass it on to lan. As for who lan chooses, that’s entirely up to him.”
Her statement implied that she, too, would submit her design anonymously.
Maja calmly gazed at everyone in the room. “Anyone want to join?”
She knew that many individuals in the studio harbored resentment toward her. But she cared little about making friends or
maintaining relationships because client satisfaction mattered most in the design industry. If they were unsatisfied, they could
lose again..
Upon hearing Maja’s proposition, Kim lost her temper. She slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, “Fine! If you’re so
confident, let everyone submit their designs anonymously and let lan choose. Do you think you’re all that? Everyone in this
studio graduated from prestigious universities. Who do you think you are without Maxwell’s favor? lan wouldn’t even give you a
second glance!”
Maja’s tone remained calm. “So, are you going to submit your design?”
Kim grew even more furious. She glanced at the others in the room. Everyone was aware of Maja’s talent. Her designs always
won clients over, benefiting everyone in the studio. However, for these seasoned professionals to benefit from a newcomer
wasn’t an achievement to be proud of.
If they agreed to Maja’s proposal and lan still chose her, the embarrassment would be a hundred times worse than it was now.
They might even struggle to maintain their standing in the industry.
It was a gamble.