chapter 2

“No need to thank me. If you didn’t meet the standards, I wouldn’t be able to give a compliment even if I was asked,” Mr. Reed said, sounding like he was in a good mood.

Susan had been known for being Mrs. Shaw all these years rather than for her own talent. Not many people knew this.

When she made the top ten finalists for the Locke Award, news surged in Canada. After all, the Locke Award was like the Nobel Prize for designers. Forget about making the top ten, even making it to the top 100 meant that one was an exceptional designer.

In the past, Canadians had never made it past the top three in the competition. Top-ten designers were scarce too. Susan’s current result was already a rare achievement.

As Susan’s mentor, Mr. Reed shared the honor as well, which explained his good mood. He was always strict, so his rare shower of compliments delighted Susan.

“What do you think about the final, though, Susie?” asked Mr. Reed.

“Hmm?” Susan did not grasp what he meant.

Mr. Reed was blunt. “As usual, no matter how good you are, your ranking for the Locke Award won’t be high. The chances of you making the top three aren’t good. I suggested that you take part because I wanted you to exercise your skill. Now that you’ve reached a standard of your own, you’ll only be a stepping stone for the others by participating in the final. I don’t think there’s much meaning to continuing to participate.”

Mr. Reed spoke the truth, but after reaching this stage, Susan was unwilling to give up just like this. Like Mr. Reed had said, she would only become a stepping stone if she continued her journey in the competition. She was really reluctant to be a stepping stone.

Susan gritted her teeth. “Mr. Reed, let me consider it.”

“Sure, decide on your own. It doesn’t matter whether you participate or not,” answered Mr. Reed.

Upon hanging up, Susan was absorbed in her thoughts while staring at the table filled with stacks of design drafts.

She had always been gifted in design.

Back when she had been in college, her results had been the best. When she had graduated, she had been the only person to make it into the design department of Lanyard, the biggest company in Ningcheng City back then.

Despite her involvement with Julian, she had interviewed for her spot and managed to be recruited at her own expense by Lanyard.

After a year of training, her vast improvement had made her the best person in Lanyard’s design department. Lanyard had been one of Canada’s top construction companies. Since she had been the best there, she was already one of her generation’s elites in this field in the country.

When she had met her mentor Mr. Reed later, her ability had slowly surpassed her peers and she had caught up to her seniors.

In the three years that she had stayed reticent, she had studied the works of famous designers wholeheartedly and gradually blended and processed them into her unique style, hinting that she was becoming a master.

Finally, after two months’ worth of Cliff’s intensive training, her potential was forced out of her. Susan was at top form right now. If the fairness of the Locke Award was guaranteed, Susan was confident that she stood a chance to become the champion.

In spite of this, the unspoken rules dictated that she would watch this honor pass her by.

Susan clenched her fists, feeling indignant.

She did not have to win the Locke Award, but she had worked hard for it. It was only natural that she wanted to receive something equal in return. It was only human!

Susan sat for a long time before she opened the chat box and sent a message to Mr. Reed. “Mr. Reed, I’d still like to try.”

Mr. Reed did not say much. His reply was short and sweet. “Go ahead.”

Upon making this decision, Susan felt lighter immediately. She still had a long way to go as a designer. The Locke Award was a significant competition, but it was only a part of her journey.

Whatever she did, she strived to give it her all without regrets.

The final battle came as planned.

The final round of the competition was held in the central stadium of the US.

Unlike the last two rounds, this assignment would be given on the spot. Once it was announced, each designer would have four hours to work on their design and submit the draft on the spot. The result would be announced there and then as well.

Other than the invited famous architects, it was said that 500 spectators would watch the final.

Julian and Chessie had booked their spots a long time ago, while Jacob, Seth, the Wrights, Mr. Reed, Cliff, and basically everyone who was close to Susan had also opted to come and watch the final live at the venue.

The morning droned away as speeches were made and the contestants stood on the stage looking bored.

There was a faint tint of contentment on his face when Mr. Reed looked at Susan, who was standing there. Among his students, Susan was the most gifted. She was young too, which made her potential the greatest. He did not speak about it, but he had very high hopes for Susan.

The reason he had kept pointing out the worst-case scenario of this competition to Susan was because he did not want her to feel any difference when the result was announced, as that would affect her confidence in the end.

Now that he had told her everything and she had decided to still go on with the competition, she must have done sufficient mental preparation.

As long as her confidence was not affected, it would be beneficial for Susan to have an exchange with the best designers in a huge competition like this.

Pride glinted in Julian’s eyes as he stared at Susan, who was on the stage.

These were the top ten designers in the world, and that was his woman among them.

“How are you and Susie? Have you gotten back together?” Jacob asked, faintly side-eyeing Julian.

“More or less,” Julian replied calmly.

“Uncle, daddy’s lying. Mommy has been ignoring him these past few days.” Chessie exposed her father instantly.

Julian’s embarrassment lasted for a second before he said seriously, “Your mommy’s throwing a small tantrum. It’s how a husband and wife bond. A kid like you can’t understand.”

“Then don’t ask me to say good things for you.” Chessie rolled her eyes playfully, rousing a bout of laughter.

Julian had no comeback for that. Chessie was really making her father’s life miserable…

Julian sharply changed the topic and lowered his voice, asking George covertly, “Dad, is Canada ready?”

George knew that Julian was speaking about Luke, and his eyes looked murderous for a bit. “Don’t worry.”

They had set up a comprehensive network in the country. With Luke’s clues, they had probed and prodded and found the high-ranking minister who was secretly involved with Dark Night. They had yet to take action and eliminate the person, but everything was under control. The trickiest issue now was to successfully rescue Luke.

After all, Luke had contributed significantly this time. There was no reason for them to disappoint a meritorious man.