Honestly, Hailey Tang didn't feel even a little guilty for borrowing inspiration from Ethan Yu's previous work.
After all, she was giving the design back to him in the end—wasn't that kind of like recycling?
With that reasoning in mind, Hailey's conscience cleared up like a blue sky after a summer storm. She lifted her chin with confidence. "Yeah, I designed it. The first draft borrowed a bit from your old work, but the second one? That's all me. You saw it. The ideas are different."
Ethan arched a brow. "So you're finally admitting the first one copied my style?"
He had known from the very first glance that the sketch carried his signature design language—sleek lines, striking geometry, and just enough daring to turn heads. It wasn't just inspired by his work—it was his work, at least in feel. The eeriest part was that she'd absorbed it not from instruction or training, but just from being around him.
It was a little flattering. A little disturbing. Mostly, though, it was confusing.
Was she some kind of design prodigy?
Hailey didn't seem to feel the weight of any of this. "I told you I was gonna copy your stuff. But then I realized your designs aren't even that impressive. Mine turned out way better!"
Ethan blinked. "Better than mine?"
"Totally," she said proudly, arms crossed like a smug little emperor. "Your buildings are all cold and serious, like they were designed by a robot. Mine have warmth. Personality. They're cute, okay? Yours look like they'd judge me for wearing sneakers."
His lips twitched despite himself.
He couldn't even argue. Her sketches did have a softness his work lacked—rounder lines, more organic shapes. Where his buildings demanded attention, hers invited people in. His were monologues; hers were conversations.
Still, he had a brand to protect.
Hailey seemed to anticipate the debate and cut him off before he could say another word. "Anyway, I don't care if you tell the world they're your designs. Just give me the money. That's all I want."
Ethan stared at her, half amused, half exasperated. "You're really just in it for the cash?"
"Yup!" she declared. "Give me the money, take the credit. We both win."
He ran a hand through his hair, suppressing a sigh. "No matter how you got the idea, it's still your design. I'll transfer the prize money to you. But the sketches need a lot of refining."
"Knock yourself out," Hailey said breezily. "Do whatever you want with them. I've already mentally let them go."
For someone who had just sold away a potential architectural breakthrough, she looked way too carefree. Ethan couldn't help but shake his head. "I've never met anyone like you."
"Thanks. I get that a lot."
He gave her a long, thoughtful look. "Alright then. You said it—these are mine now. I'll handle the edits. You stay out of it."
Hailey gave him a mock salute. "Sir, yes sir! Not like I could help anyway. I don't even know how to use CAD. I'll be staying far, far away. Just tell me when you're sending the money."
He had intended to transfer the funds right away. But now, looking at her smug little face, a wicked thought surfaced.
He decided to mess with her.
"I'm thinking of entering the final design in a competition in New York," he said coolly. "Once the bidding's over and the contract's secured, I'll pay you the full amount."
Her smile froze. "Wait. What? That's not part of the deal. I entered a local design competition, not whatever the hell this is."
"It's all connected," Ethan said with a perfectly straight face. "Prize money is distributed after the final selection process. Which ends next month. It's not that long of a wait. Of course… if you're desperate, I could advance you a portion of it. Just say the word."
Hailey stared at him like he'd just offered to sell her a bridge.
"You think I'm gonna borrow money from you?" she asked incredulously. "I'm divorcing you, remember? I'm trying to untangle our finances, not tie them into a bigger knot. Speaking of which—when exactly are we getting divorced? After this 'bidding' too?"
Ethan's expression shifted slightly. The playful glint in his eye dimmed, replaced with something cooler. His smile thinned.
Hailey shrugged casually, as if she hadn't noticed the subtle tension in the air. "Fine by me. Settle it all at once. Just make sure I get the 500k. Consider it… my alimony."
Ethan's gaze dropped to the floor, then flicked back up. A slow, unreadable smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You only want that much?"
"Yup! Just that," she said cheerfully. "Don't need a penny more. I've got big plans for that money, and I don't need your pity to make them happen."
She pivoted on her heel and started up the stairs, humming under her breath like she hadn't just dropped a grenade behind her.
Ethan watched her disappear, hands in his pockets, mind quietly spinning.
Only 500k, huh?
She really thought that was all she was worth?
Or maybe… she just didn't want to owe him anything.
The smile faded from his face.
This woman had no idea what she was doing to him.