Finally, the mont to announce the COMO Grand Prize had arrived. Gu Mingzhu’s heart raced. She had specially worn a princess dress for today and styled her hair like a princess. She looked incredibly youthful and sweet.
She was waiting for that mont, her mont in the spotlight.
Just like her, Tang Yuan was also extrely excited, her eyes glued to the stage, afraid she might miss a single word.
On stage, King Jingyao finished his pleasantries, slowly stood up, and smiled slightly. "The first prize for this competition goes to KO, the proud student of the renowned Italian Master Xunyi."
The entire venue erupted in an uproar.
Heavens, what a renowned figure!
Master Xunyi was the Polaris of the architectural world!
And KO was an even more exceptionally talented student. However, he had only produced a single work before retreating from the public eye. Years later, who would have thought his work would appear in Beicheng.
All the journalists were thrilled, their caras pointed at the stage, waiting for KO to appear.
King Jingyao smiled faintly. "Now, let’s welco KO to the stage."
After he finished speaking, Gu Mingzhu’s heart almost leaped out of her chest. She smoothed her dress and was already halfway out of her seat.
There were tears in Tang Yuan’s eyes as she watched her encouragingly...
Just then, Gu Anxi, sitting in the first row, stood up and walked step by step towards the stage. Gu Mingzhu froze.
Why is Gu Anxi going up there? she thought. Isn’t KO the one who won?
Since she herself was an imposter, she naturally didn’t dare to go up and publicly declare that she was the real one. She could only watch, wide-eyed, as Gu Anxi accepted the award to thunderous applause from the entire audience.
Those rounds of applause were like individual slaps, leaving Gu Mingzhu dizzy and disoriented.
She still couldn’t believe it; she couldn’t accept the fact that Gu Anxi was KO.
Sothing felt off, she thought. How could it be such a coincidence?
Tang Yuan was also shocked. How could it be... Anxi?
Gu Yuanshan glanced sideways at his wife and daughter, his expression sowhat inscrutable.
While the three mbers of the Gu family were lost in their own thoughts, Gu Anxi accepted the award, then turned to the dia, graciously acknowledging King Jingyao. "Thank you for this prestigious award. I will continue to work hard."
The Secretary-General said with satisfaction, "KO’s talent is evident to all. We will unveil COMO’s design plans at the appropriate ti. Also, construction of COMO will begin in a week, and as luck would have it, that day also happens to be Mr. Wang’s birthday. We kindly request our lovely Miss KO to honor us with her presence then."
Then, feigning unfamiliarity, he added, "Miss KO, please be sure to arrive on ti."
Gu Anxi smiled slightly. "Alright."
The Secretary-General gestured. "Now, we invite the two of you for a group photo. Friends from the dia, you may begin taking pictures."
King Jingyao stood with impeccable style just a little behind Gu Anxi, allowing the dia to take photos. His Secretary-General, aware of his master’s subtle intentions, proactively moved aside, yielding the center stage for them.
The flashbulbs flared all around. King Jingyao, long accustod to such scenes, didn’t even blink. Gu Anxi, however, having played too many gas recently, found her eyes a bit strained and raised a hand to shield them...
Seeing this, her ’big brother’ figure imdiately couldn’t bear it. "Let’s avoid using the flash."
The Secretary-General chid in to smooth things over. "Yes, yes. Mr. Wang has been managing countless affairs these past two days; his eyes aren’t very comfortable."
This statent was full of subtle anings.
Everyone present understood the unspoken implication.
Even a blind person could see that Mr. Wang had strong feelings for this Miss Gu. He was particularly gentle, and his gentleness carried a hint of the distinct doting affection of a mature man.
It was definitely doting affection!
For a mont, the dia found themselves in a difficult position. Mr. Wang, could you perhaps tone down your doting a little? Otherwise, these photos will be quite difficult to release...
After a few more photos were taken, the Secretary-General stepped in again, indicating that it was sufficient. He then congratulated Miss KO and presented her with the 500,000 yuan grand prize.
Below the stage, Gu Mingzhu watched this highlight mont, her lips pressed tightly together, her small face taut.
If not for needing to maintain my composure and status, I would leave right now! she thought.
Tang Yuan murmured in a low voice, "How could it be her?"
Then a chill went through her heart. If Gu Anxi is really KO, then Mingzhu’s impersonation will be exposed, won’t it?
When she thought of this, it was as if Tang Yuan was pierced by a thousand arrows!
Beside them, Gu Yuanshan looked at his wife and daughter, clearly displeased.
His displeasure wasn’t because Gu Mingzhu hadn’t won first place. Rather, it was because they had previously claid Mingzhu would be first, yet now it was Anxi. Furthermore, KO’s identity was so remarkable that it forced him to harbor suspicions he didn’t want to entertain.
Tang Yuan sensed his displeasure and dared not utter a sound. They endured until the press conference finally ended. The three Gu family mbers, in no mood to linger, imdiately made their way to the parking lot.
Just as their car was about to start, they saw a group of people approaching from the other side—to be precise, a group of bodyguards escorting two individuals to a car.
The three Gu family mbers instantly recognized King Jingyao and Gu Anxi. The two appeared quite intimate; King Jingyao even affectionately stroked Gu Anxi’s hair.
Seeing this, at this mont... surely it’s impossible they have no relationship at all?
The three family mbers all had dark expressions, but for different reasons.
Gu Yuanshan averted his gaze, calmly ordering the chauffeur, "Drive!"
The chauffeur had actually caught a glimpse too and was burning with curiosity, but he didn’t dare to make a sound.
Soon, the car left the parking lot. Gu Yuanshan leaned back in his seat, clearly in a bad mood. Both mother and daughter didn’t dare to provoke him.
Gu Yuanshan’s mind was in turmoil, like ten thousand horses galloping! My younger daughter dreams of marrying King Jingyao, I can see that. And Anxi and this Wang fellow... there’s sothing ambiguous between them. Could this be fate?
The thought of that prophecy sent a shiver of dread down his spine! His expression turned frighteningly grim.
Tang Yuan had rarely seen him like this and sat beside him, hardly daring to breathe. Finally, the car reached the Gu residence. Tang Yuan was about to get out to comfort Mingzhu when Gu Yuanshan called out to her, "Tang Yuan, co to the study."
Tang Yuan’s heart gave a lurch; she was sowhat unsure of his intentions.
Gu Yuanshan didn’t say anything and went straight to the study.
Tang Yuan said softly to Gu Mingzhu, "Mingzhu, you go upstairs first. Mom has sothing to discuss with you later."
Gu Mingzhu nodded, and worriedly asked, "Is Dad really angry? Will he guess..."
Tang Yuan lowered her voice, "Not a word about this matter, do you understand?"
Gu Mingzhu bit her lower lip and murmured her assent.
Only then did Tang Yuan head towards the study.
Opening the door, she found Gu Yuanshan sitting on the sofa, his eyes slightly closed, seemingly lost in thought.
Tang Yuan closed the door, smoothed her clothes, and walked over, gently calling, "Yuanshan."
She had barely uttered his na when a resounding slap landed on her face.
In an instant, Tang Yuan was utterly stunned!
She clutched her cheek, where five clear finger marks stood out on her fair skin.
Gu Yuanshan’s expression was exceptionally grim. "I warned you before to teach Mingzhu properly. But look at what you’ve done!"
A wave of guilt washed over Tang Yuan, but she was unwilling to admit her fault. "Yuanshan, what have I done wrong? I don’t quite understand what you an."
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