"What? When did Julian start being this nice?" L eximed in surprise.


    I thought back to Julian''s earlier behavior and chuckled lightly. "Who knows? Maybe he''s lost his mind."


    "So, how did the test go?" L asked, watching me curiously.


    "Not bad. The test wasn''t too difficult. I think I have a good chance of making it to the interview," I replied, thinking about the questions.


    "That''s amazing! Remember to treat me to a fancy dinner when you make it big!" L squealed, throwing her arms around my neck.


    "Of course."


    A few dayster, I received an email inviting me to an interview with Hastings Group. What I didn''t expect, however, was to run into Elena at the interview.


    Elena seemedpletely unfazed by our encounter. She strutted over with her head held high, scanning me from head to toe before letting out a disdainful snort. "Serena, I didn''t think someone like you-Hastings Group''s very own heiress- would need to go through an interview process. I guess you''re not doing so well, after all," she said with a mocking smile.


    I frowned slightly, ncing at the other candidates around us.


    Thankfully, Elena seemed worried about others overhearing our conversation and kept her voice low. The rest of the applicants were too focused on reviewing their notes to notice.


    "What are you doing here?" I asked with a frown.


    "It''s none of your business! But let me tell you this-you definitely won''t get the job," she replied with a challenging smirk.


    I had no interest in arguing with her, especially not in such a public setting. I turned and walked away.


    While in the restroom, I pulled out my phone to review the interview guidelines onest time. That was whent overheard Elena''s voice, dripping with sweetness, from


    outside the stall.


    "Oh,e on, you promised me! I don''t care, I want the office assistant role," she said in a coy tone.


    "What''s wrong with my qualifications?" she continued, her voice was so sweet it made my skin crawl. "If I get that position, I can help you from inside the office, can''t I?"


    She giggled softly. "No one has been hired for that role before. It''s a new position they just opened this year And it reports directly to Alex. Who wouldn''t want an opportunity like that? Okay, I''ll be waiting. Remember, the name''s Serena. I''ll be waiting for your update."


    My eyes widened when I heard that the office assistant would report directly to Alex. This was a newly opened position this year. I wonder if Alex created this position just for me.


    Elena sounded like she was cozying up to someone in Hastings Group to get the position.


    After Elena left, I stepped out of the restroom, my mind racing with unease.


    When I returned to the waiting area, it was finally my turn for the interview.


    As I approached the door, I saw


    Elena walking out with a smug grin stered across her face. Before leaving, she nced over her shoulder at the lead interviewer with


    a sickeningly flirtatious look that


    made me cringe.


    I shook off the difort, straightened my posture, and entered the room. After greeting the panel, I took a deep breath and began to introduce myself.


    "Ms. Ashford, your qualifications are impressive. I see you earned schrships almost every year during university. Is that correct?"