As soon as Patricia walked into the room, she imdiately sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The air was tense, and so were the people walking in with her. Scanning the room, she spotted four individuals seated at a long table—three n and one woman. In the corner, another person stood.
It was Penny.
’What is she doing there?’Patricia wondered, eyeing Penny, who was leaning against the wall, her gaze fixed on the glass partition. Penny didn’t seem interested in the proceedings—not that she was bothering anyone. In fact, no one would have noticed her unless they deliberately looked.
She was more like a decoration with very little presence. Patricia almost found it strange because Penny always carried herself with such presence that one couldn’t deny. However, she didn’t dwell in it.
As the applicants took their seats, they faced the panelists across the table.
’Damn...’ Patricia ntally winced as her eyes landed on a familiar face right in the middle. ’Nina’s cousin is here too.’
This was bad.
She felt like she had already lost points before the interview even started.
’It’s okay, it’s okay!’ Patricia reassured herself. ’He’s a professional. They all are! They won’t let personal matters interfere... as long as I ace this. I an, I’ve changed and I’ll show him that!’
The only woman on the panel studied the applicants before exchanging a glance with her colleagues. After receiving a nod, she turned back to the group.
"Let’s begin," she announced coolly. "Please introduce yourselves and walk us through your resus."
She then gestured to the man on the far end to start.
The first applicant spoke, giving a precise summary of his background and highlighting key achievents. The panelists listened attentively, nodding before moving on to the next candidate. The second applicant followed, delivering his introduction with equal composure.
Patricia’s heart pounded louder in her ears as her turn drew closer.
’This is unfair!’ she panicked inwardly. ’Why do they all have so many accomplishnts?!’
She discreetly scratched her cheek and averted her gaze. Maybe if she didn’t look at the speakers, she wouldn’t feel so nervous.
But then, the next person beside her started talking.
"My na is Teddy Arthur..."
Patricia’s brows lifted slightly. She snuck a glance at him, her expression twitching the more he spoke. His confident, articulate manner made him sound even more impressive than the previous applicants. And if she was going to be honest, she would definitely hire him if she were one of the panelists.
’Wow...’ she thought. ’I glanced at his resu earlier, but I didn’t think he had all this.’
The panelists nodded in satisfaction. It was clear they were impressed. Then, their gazes shifted to Patricia.
"Miss Miller?" the head of Human Resources called.
Patricia hadn’t realized she had zoned out. Only when she was called the second ti did she snap out of her montary daze.
"Oh." She quickly straightened her posture, flashing a ek smile before clearing her throat. "My na is Patricia Miller. I graduated with a degree in Business Managent and have experience in various roles. In my previous job at Miller’s Company, I worked as a task coordinator..."
Her voice started off slightly shaky as she recited her morized lines, but as she continued, confidence seeped in. By the ti she finished, she smiled innocently.
The panelists nodded, their faces unreadable as they jotted down notes before moving on. anwhile, the other applicants cast her a brief look. They only had one thought in mind:
’Task coordinator?’ they wondered. ’aning, she ran errands?’
"We only have a few questions prepared," the HR head said, offering a faint smile. "Please make the most of your ti."
She then glanced at Patricia.
"Our next question: What’s your ideal work environnt?" She paused. "Miss Miller, please start."
Patricia’s breath hitched. She wasn’t prepared to go first. Still, her mouth opened, and words spilled out before she could filter them.
"I don’t have an ideal work environnt because... I know that if I get hired, I have to expect the unexpected. Being the CEO’s assistant is a crucial role, so even if I had a preference, I’d only be setting myself up for disappointnt." She bit her tongue, wincing as she felt herself rambling.
"What I an is, if we’re talking about ideals, it’s not about the work environnt—it’s about the boss. As long as the person I work for treats well, I can adapt to any situation. No matter how hard it can be... I think I’m really good at that."
The panelists stared at her for a mont before moving on to the next applicant.
Still getting no reaction, Patricia let out a quiet sigh.
’Am I doing okay?’ she wondered, listening to the next person’s answer. ’Why did I have to sit beside this guy?’
Having to follow Teddy was one thing. Speaking before him? It was not any better. It made it easier for the panel to compare them.
’Gosh...’ Patricia frowned, montarily discouraged. But she wasn’t one to give up so easily. She imdiately shook off the doubt.’I can’t be discouraged! I’m doing better than I expected! I may not sound as technical as these guys, but... I have my own strengths!’
Falling down and pulling herself back up—that had always been her story. If that wasn’t a talent, she didn’t know what was.
Once the last applicant finished, silence filled the room.
"Onto our final question," the HR head said before turning to soone. "Sir."
The applicants instinctively straightened, their eyes sharpening in focus as they turned to the man about to speak.
Patricia, noticing their reactions, furrowed her brows.
’Why do they suddenly look so intense?’ she wondered, but she quickly shrugged it off, waiting for the next question.
Yugi, the man now leading the interview, studied the group before speaking.
"If you were hired..." he trailed off, scanning their faces. "... Give three nas of applicants from today’s interview whom you’d choose to join the CEO’s departnt. And explain why you think they’re qualified."
Silence.
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