I nodded. "Yes."


    "Your resume is impressive and aligns well with ourpany''s requirements. You can head back now and wait for further notice," one of the interviewers said.


    I nodded again, stood up, and was about to leave when the man sitting at the head of the table called out, "Wait a moment."


    I turned back. The namete in front of him indicated his name was David Baker, the HR manager.


    "Mr. Baker, is there something else?" I asked.


    "Your qualifications don''t meet our standards. There''s no need to wait for further notice. Perhaps you should consider otherpanies. This position isn''t a good fit for you," David said dismissively, waving his hand.


    I stared at him, taken aback. The two other interviewers exchanged surprised nces as well.


    Typically, candidates weren''t told outright during an interview that they weren''t suitable. It was standard procedure to gather all applications,pare qualifications, and then decide on the best fit. David''s behavior was unorthodox, to say the least.


    "Mr. Baker, isn''t this inappropriate?" the woman sitting next to him whispered, lowering her voice. "Mr. Hastings specifically instructed us to forward all candidate information to him for the final selection."


    I felt reassured to hear that.


    "Mr. Hastings might have given those instructions, but we still need to conduct our own screening. If Mr. Hastings has to handle every detail personally, what''s the point of having an HR department?" David said in a firm tone.


    David''s authoritative stance left the other interviewers no choice but to stay silent. They looked at me apologetically but didn''t dare contradict him.


    His attitude only fueled my determination. "Could you tell me where I went wrong in the interview?" I asked calmly.


    "Nothing specific. Your qualifications just don''t meet ourpany''s standards," David replied with a cold expression, ncing at me briefly.


    His answer was vague and evasive.


    I nodded, turned around, and walked out without making a fuss.


    I ran into Elena at the elevator. To be more urate, Elena was waiting for me.


    "How did it go, Serena? Being first in the written test didn''t help you much, did it? You still got rejected," she Sheered, her arms crossed over her chest.


    I frowned, looking her over. "Was this your doing? You didn''t even take the


    get


    en test but still managed to


    the interview stage. You must''ve pulled some strings."


    Elena smirked, her tone smug. "There isn''t a man I can''t control. Once you''ve got them wrapped around your finger, getting a job is child''s y."


    I wanted tough at the absurdity of her confidence.


    "What are youughing at?" she snapped, ring at me.


    "I''mughing at how clueless you are. I''d bet you won''t even get through Hastings Group''s front door," I replied coolly.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Elena''s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    The elevator reached the ground floor, and I stepped out without answering.


    "Serena, what do you mean? You''re jealous, aren''t you? You''re jealous that I might get a job at Hastings Group!" she demanded, hurrying after me.


    "Jealous of what, exactly? I know


    exactly what''s on your mind. David


    is just a stepping stone. Your real


    target is Alex, isn''t it?" I asked, giving her a skeptical look.


    Her face twisted with fury as I uncovered her true intentions. She hissed, "That''s nonsense!"