Simon, ever the astute observer, immediately seized the opportunity.

"Sir, shall I check on the lady?"

"Transfer the downtown apartment to her name and give her some money."

Simon nodded at once.

"I'll handle it immediately."

"Alright, you may leave."

Rayan dismissed his assistant, pulled out a lighter, and lit the incense himself.

Only when the familiar scent filled the air did he finally drift off to sleep in the lounge.

****

Kathy had already returned to the studio, appearing much more withdrawn than before. The plagiarism incident had hit her hard.

Everyone understood she needed time to recover.

"Let's go. Dinner's on me tonight!"

Elaina gathered the staff for dinner. With the studio's bankruptcy crisis averted, it was time to celebrate properly.

Hazel temporarily set aside her gloomy mood and joined the group in drinking and chatting.

By the end of the meal, the atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious.

Hazel hadn't drunk much and remained perfectly sober.

After the gathering ended, she prepared to head home with Elaina.

As soon as they stepped outside, they spotted a familiar figure--Simon.

"Madam, do you have a moment? I'd like to discuss something with you."

Hazel frowned slightly. "Don't call me 'Madam.'"

"My apologies. I haven't quite adjusted to the new form of address yet."

"If you have something to say, just say it here. It's getting late."

Simon looked at Elaina standing nearby, her eyes sharp with curiosity, and could only agree.

He pulled out a set of property transfer documents and handed them to Hazel.

"Miss Foster, this is per Sir's instructions. There's an apartment downtown he wishes to transfer to you, along with a blank check. You may fill in the amount you desire."

The blank check bore Rayan's signature--it was fully valid.

Hazel didn't even take it. "What does Rayan mean by this?"

"Sir said that since you left with nothing, you probably don't have much money. This is a form of compensation."

Hazel let out a soft snort, her face flushing with disdain. "I already said I don't want anything from him."

"Miss Foster, please accept it. The transfer papers are complete. You can move in immediately. I'll handle the relocation for you."

Simon had thought through every detail. If Hazel refused, his task would remain unfinished.

As the two stood in awkward stalemate, Elaina stepped in and took the documents and check.

"Why refuse? Hazel, you're being foolish! For three years, you worked like a housekeeper for the Knight family. With all the assets Rayan possesses, what's this small amount of money?"

Simon, seeing his chance, quickly added,

"Miss Foster, please accept it. It's a token of Sir's goodwill."

"Men are all unreliable, but money is the most dependable thing. Money will never betray you." Elaina crossed her arms and snorted. "Mister, go back and tell Rayan that Hazel has accepted it. Tell him not to bother her anymore. Hazel will definitely find a better man in the future."

Simon rubbed his nose awkwardly. He certainly wouldn't dare to repeat those words.

"Elaina, I really don't want to take it."

"Are you stupid? This is what you deserve. Just accept it and keep the check safe. Don't be a fool and let yourself get cheated again!"

After Elaina's persistent persuasion, Hazel had no choice but to give in.

"I'm free tomorrow. I'll help you move and pick out some furniture you like. Soon you'll be a rich lady with a downtown apartment...just don't forget to spoil me!"

The two women laughed and joked as the night grew brighter.

After moving into her new home, Hazel threw herself into developing her career.

Dream High Studio was small, so she invested the money Rayan had given her.

She compiled her previously unpublished design sketches into a cohesive collection, preparing to launch her own jewelry brand.

Dark Hunter sent daily updates on the progress--everything was proceeding smoothly.

Oliver, meanwhile, was still riding high, selling her designs at even higher prices.

Launching a jewelry brand required substantial capital. While Elaina fretted over funding, Hazel had already devised a solution.

That solution was to fleece someone--and that someone, naturally, was Oliver.

When the timing felt right, she and Dark Hunter devised a public relations strategy aimed at leveraging Oliver's alleged plagiarism.

Designers feared offending RK Corporation and dared not speak up.

Creating public opinion required only anonymity--there was no fear of being traced.

Leveraging her connections, Dark Hunter secured cooperation from several designers.

When the incriminating materials were anonymously sent to Oliver's phone, she nearly smashed it to pieces.

"What the hell is going on? Didn't we already settle the plagiarism issue with money? Why is there still so much evidence left behind?"

Her male assistant looked utterly bewildered, unsure why his boss was suddenly losing her temper.

"Miss Howard, I was extremely careful. What happened?"

"You have the nerve to ask me? Look at this yourself!"

Oliver flung her phone across the room. The assistant picked it up and froze in shock.

Such detailed evidence--backed by overwhelming public opinion--was laid out clearly, even the potential consequences after exposure.

"Miss Howard, should we inform Mr. Knight? Maybe he can handle this--"

Oliver grew even angrier. "Idiot! Tell Rayan I'm a plagiarist?"

She needed to maintain her image in front of Rayan. There was no way she would let the man she liked know about such sordid affairs.

The assistant fell silent, deciding to say nothing more to avoid further scolding.

"What are you still standing there for? Go investigate who sent me that message! They had the guts to do it but not the guts to own up to it!"

The assistant uttered a quick "Oh," then hurried away.

Oliver looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face twisted with fury.

She had planned to dress up and meet Rayan for lunch, but now she couldn't even summon the energy.

Minutes later, another anonymous text arrived:

(Ten million dollars. These documents won't be exposed. You have two days to prepare. Not a moment more.)

Oliver cursed under her breath, this time actually smashing her phone. The screen shattered into pieces--a clear sign of her fury.

If the plagiarism scandal broke, the carefully cultivated "genius designer" persona she had built would crumble completely.

She hadn't reaped enough benefits yet--how could she accept that?

But ten million? Surely the other party's demand wasn't that excessive.

Dark Hunter waited patiently for her reply, not rushing her.

If Oliver wanted to maintain her current status, she'd have to swallow her pride.

After some deliberation, he messaged Hazel to inform her that the matter was settled and she need only wait for the funds to arrive.

They had already agreed on a ten-million-dollar deal, to be split 40/60.

Dark Hunter would provide an offshore account, making it untraceable for Oliver--a foolproof arrangement.

Giving Dark Hunter 40% was more than reasonable.

Hazel replied with a simple "OK" and settled in to wait for the payment.

Two days later, the overseas account received the ten million dollars on schedule.

Oliver hadn't earned that much in recent times and had to practically empty her personal savings to cover the amount.

As a result, she had been giving everyone the cold shoulder for days, making the studio atmosphere incredibly tense.

She avoided Rayan's presence during that time, which brought a welcome respite to everyone.

After settling accounts with Hazel and Dark Hunter, she invested the funds into the jewelry brand she co-founded with Elaina.

Having contributed both capital and effort, Elaina felt somewhat awkward.

"Hazel, I feel unworthy of equal shares. Let's split it 20–80 instead...that would make me feel better."

Hazel had anticipated her friend's response but valued Elaina's management and marketing skills.

After all, her own rise to prominence had been sparked by Elaina's act of kindness back then.

"Elaina, this is our joint brand. You're not without merit. I can afford to contribute more right now, but in the end, you won't lose out."

Hazel offered a brief explanation before signing her name directly on the share agreement.

"You have your strengths in your work. Beyond designing, I need your help with everything else."

Hearing her friend speak like that, Elaina felt a wave of emotion wash over her.

"Hazel, rest assured. We'll always be sisters for life. Even when we strike it rich, there won't be any falling out between us."

Elaina sniffed back tears, shed her hesitation, and signed her name as well.

The jewelry brand they co-founded would still be named Dream High -- a shared achievement.

The studio compiled previously unpublished designs into a cohesive collection, submitting them to Hazel and Elaina for final review and refinement in preparation for their jewelry show.

This marked Dream High Jewelry's debut, drawing widespread attention from the art world.

Elaina alone sent out thousands of invitations -- easy to imagine how breathtaking the event would be.

Hazel actively promoted the event on Twitter, while Dark Hunter, as the head of the online promotion team, pushed the buzz to the top of the trending topics.

In no time, Dream High's fame skyrocketed.

Oliver gritted her teeth in fury as she scanned the latest news.

How quickly the title of "genius designer" had become a thing of the past.

The internet was now abuzz with a legend about "Ray of Light," with many even drawing comparisons between the two.

Seriously, why is the so-called "genius designer" Oliver even calling herself that? Anyone with eyes can see Ray of Light is the true queen.

Does Blossom Jewelry even deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Dream High? Give us a break.

Blossom Jewelry, please stay out of this. What are you trying to ride on? Did everyone forget the plagiarism scandal? Oliver's designs can't even hold a candle to Kathy's.

Exactly! She can't even match Kathy, yet dares to compare herself to Ray of Light? It's like comparing elementary arithmetic to advanced calculus--they're not even in the same league.

Oliver looked casually at the comments below...they were overwhelmingly one-sided.

The woman gritted her teeth in fury. In just a few short days, she had not only lost ten million dollars but was now on the brink of losing her reputation entirely.

"Find out who this Ray of Light is! She dared to oppose me--that means opposing the Knight family! I'll make her pay!"

Oliver's temper had been so volatile these past few days that her assistant didn't dare provoke her wrath.

With the previous incident still unresolved, they could only hastily agree.

Hazel was in the midst of intense preparations for her inaugural jewelry show. After working overtime, she dragged her weary body home.

She froze momentarily upon spotting a familiar vehicle parked at the entrance.

Rayan stepped out of the car, his gaze sweeping over the woman's impeccable attire, his expression darkening.

"Where have you been? Why are you coming home so late?"

He had been waiting for over half an hour, his mood sour.

"Is that any of your business?"

Hazel couldn't be bothered to argue. She walked around the car, intending to go straight inside.

"Stop. You haven't answered my question."

Hazel didn't stop, ignoring his words as if they were air.

They were already divorced--did he expect her to bow and scrape? Dream on.

"Hazel, are you even listening to me?"

Rayan grew even angrier, stepping forward and grabbing her arm without the slightest hint of tenderness.

Hazel winced slightly at the pain, her brows furrowing.

"Mr. Knight, did you come all this way just to cause trouble? Sorry, I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to wrestle with you here. Let go of my arm."

She shook off his grip forcefully and finally broke free.

She had just closed a major business deal, and now Rayan had shown up to ruin her mood. What a nuisance.

"What is it?"

Hearing the woman's impatient tone, Rayan's expression grew colder.

"Grandma asked me to bring you home. She wants to see you."

Hazel fell silent. Rayan's grandmother had always been fond of her. The news of their divorce had likely not reached the family yet.

Given the old lady's age, Hazel felt a twinge of reluctance.

"It's just dinner. I'll bring you back right after--it won't take long."

Seeing her silence, Rayan's tone softened, something rare for him.

Hazel finally agreed, getting into his car and heading to the Knight family's ancestral home.

The moment they entered the house, Rayan's arm slid around her waist.

Hazel looked at him, slightly uncomfortable and puzzled.

"Grandma doesn't know about the divorce yet."

With just that one sentence of explanation, Hazel stopped struggling.

The elderly matriarch came to greet them. Seeing the couple so affectionate, her eyes crinkled with joy.

"Hazel, what have you been up to lately? Why haven't you come to see Grandma?"

The old lady took Hazel's hand and began chatting warmly.

"Rayan's been swamped with company work lately, so he hasn't been able to visit. I'll make time to come see you more often from now on."

Hazel offered a warm smile, giving Rayan a graceful way out.

The old lady smiled in relief. "Good. Seeing how well you two get along puts my mind at ease."

After chatting for a while, they began eating.

Throughout the meal, the old lady kept bringing up the topic of having children.

In the Knight family, Rayan was the only son of his generation, and the grandmother's greatest wish was to hold a great-grandchild.

"Rayan, you shouldn't always be so preoccupied with the company. Having children should be your top priority. You've been married for years now--why is there still no sign of it?"

After a bit of nagging, Hazel lowered her head awkwardly.

The food in her mouth suddenly lost all flavor.

She couldn't bear children, and Rayan had rarely touched her.

Now that they were divorced, that wish would be delayed indefinitely.

"Grandma, let's eat first. Having children isn't something that can be rushed."

Rayan finally spoke up, though the matter troubled him deeply as well.