The host subtly lowered the microphone and leaned closer to Miranda, his voice a quiet whisper. “Ms. Carter, just stay calm. I’ll guide you through this.” Miranda looked slightly surprised but managed to mask it with a polite smile. “Thank you,” she replied, her tone warm. “Go ahead, take that trophy that’s rightfully yours.” Miranda gently released his hand and walked slowly to the microphone stand. Bright spotlights bathed her in light, and the constant flash of cameras created a dazzling blur. From her perspective, all she could see was a sea of white—she couldn’t make out faces or the number of attendees. The trophy was placed on a pedestal nearby, waiting for her to lift it. But first, she had to face the scrutiny of the audience. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Miranda Carter.” Her voice was melodious, clear, and carried a calm confidence. At this, the male reporters in the audience snapped their cameras into focus on her, some even momentarily forgetting their duties as they caught sight of other prominent figures in the room. Miranda smiled and continued, “I understand the expectations for award winners are high, and I look forward to addressing them.” A whistle cut through the room, followed by a voice shouting, “Our standards for female winners are set quite high!” “Haha, I agree with that!” came the laughter. “You are often too slender; how could you possibly meet those standards?” “I prefer juice women—more curves, more interesting. I’m not into sticks.” “Exactly, and slender women are skilled at pretending—they’re all cunning tricksters, especially the young women…” Miranda couldn’t pinpoint who was making these remarks, but their voices were amplified and carried clearly in the chaotic atmosphere. Such comments suggested that the influential figures in architecture had their own biases. With the weight of the award on her shoulders, Miranda took a deep breath and addressed the crowd. “Actually, no matter what a woman's figure is, we have our own talents, ideas and standards. Unfortunately, some men don’t seem to measure up to the standards of us.”A stunned silence fell over the room. Was this young woman implying that men were inadequate? What right did she have to make such a claim? One man, clearly agitated, stood up and pointed at her. “Who do you think you are, making such statements? Apologies, Ms. Carter, and you’ve crossed a line. I could argue that your comments are offensive and discriminatory, and I might have grounds to have you banned from this event.” “Discriminatory?” Miranda’s smile grew a bit wider. “Could someone get this gentleman a glass of water? His temper seems a bit frayed. A drink might help him calm down.” “I’m warning you, Ms. Carter. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you should be given special treatment. True gentlemen show courtesy to ladies, not to disrespectful individuals.” Miranda nodded, acknowledging the critique without retort. “I haven’t finished my point. My comment about men not being suitable for women was based on their frequent impatience and quick temper, which some studies suggest can be linked to violent tendencies. I’d advise the lovely women to be cautious and seek out gentle and courteous partners.” “You…” “Oh, and by the way,” Miranda continued, “the statement I made was quoted from the renowned criminologist Dr. Michelle’s book Human Nature’s Weakness, specifically from the third section, second paragraph of the final chapter. It’s not my original thought; we must respect intellectual property. If you doubt it, feel free to look it up or discuss it with Dr. Michelle himself.” “...Damn it!” The man cursed under his breath and sat back down, visibly flustered. Miranda handled the situation with grace, her demeanor unflappable as she maintained her poise and elegance. “A Chinese proverb says, ‘Pride invites loss, while humility brings benefit.’ I hope this is useful to you.” The man muttered, “I don’t need to learn any of that nonsense.” Miranda raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry. I assume you’re unfamiliar with the design principles behind my work. The design is inspired by the Chinese character for ‘home,’ using the Qin and Han dynasty script known as Small Seal. Do you know what Small Seal is?” “Why should I care about something from thousands of years ago? It’s irrelevant now.” “Actually, it’s very relevant,” Miranda replied. “The concept of ‘home’ is fundamental to human civilization—it represents family, culture, and history. And Small Seal, while originating from ancient times, is still preserved and appreciated today.”The man’s face flushed with embarrassment, unable to respond to her points. He glared at Miranda, visibly irritated. “Then take your so-called design back to your historical culture. This isn’t the place for it.” “Are you the head of the jury?” Miranda asked. “What?” “If you’re not, then please respect the decision of the jury. My work was chosen as the top by all the judges. Dismissing me is like dismissing their collective judgment.” The man, gritting his teeth, replied, “Women certainly excel at arguing!” “It’s not arguing; it’s reasoning,” Miranda said, smiling. “You shouldn’t use your ignorance as an excuse. All the judges present are leaders in the field. While you might not understand Small Seal, others do. And remember, ‘Stupid can't be hidden.’ If you have further questions, feel free to ask—I’m here to explain.” The host led a round of applause, which soon turned into a thunderous ovation from the audience. The host said with a grin, “You’re perfect.” Miranda tilted her head and offered a modest smile. “Thank you.”