?Chapter 153:


    But the guy wasn’t budging. He raised his chin arrogantly.


    “Yeah, well, our team got priority ess from the management. So unless you want to take it up with them, pack your things and go.”


    Ste leaned toward Sandra, lowering her voice.


    “Who is this guy?”


    Sandra crossed her arms.


    “Allen Curtis. He’s from Group B. We’repeting for the same project slot.”


    Ah. That exined the attitude.


    Lainey had mentioned before that several groups were inpetition. But Ste hadn’t expected such open hostility.


    Allen looked at Elbert again, expression dripping with disdain.


    “Let’s not make this messy. Take your people and leave.”


    Sandra bristled.


    “What do you mean by priority ess? We’re all on the same level, and theb operates on a firste, first-served basis. Who approved your priority ess?”


    Allen gave a coldugh.


    “I’ve been here three years. Your team’s new and green. Show some respect.”


    Sandra’s face turned red with anger, ready to retort, but Ste, standing behind her, pulled her back.


    Then, stepping forward calmly, she said,


    “The institute values capability, not seniority. Let’s keep it fair. How about a simple challenge? If you can answer my questions, theb’s yours. If not, you step aside.”


    Allen’s eyes narrowed. He knew who she was—everyone did. Ste had wrapped a closed-case project in just six months. But he wasn’t impressed.


    In his eyes, she’d just gotten lucky.


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    He crossed his arms.


    “Fine,” he said smugly. “Ask away.”


    Ste didn’t hesitate. She fired off a string of technical questions, each moreplex than thest. Her tone was cool, her delivery wless.


    Allen’s smirk slowly faded. His silence was answer enough.


    “Need me to repeat them?” Ste asked, tone edged with polite mockery.


    Allen’s jaw clenched.


    Sandra was grinning ear to ear.


    “Wow, Allen. Struggling already? These questions are based on past institute projects—just slightly evolved. Didn’t recognize any of them?”


    Ste hadn’t intended to embarrass him—just shut this down cleanly.


    “Since you can’t answer, could you please step aside? We’re on a schedule.”


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