As each interviewee exited, their expressions varied wildly, as if the interview room housed extremes. Some emerged beaming, while others left disheartened, fueling everyone’s curiosity. Was the interviewer a human or a monster?
Gemma’s nerves tightened despite Penelope’s constant reassurances to relax. She couldn’t.
“Gemma Scott.”
“It’s your turn, Gemma. Remember to perform well,” Penelope encouraged her.
“I think I have a stomachache, Penelope. I don’t want to go in,” Gemma confessed, her fear palpable.
“Come on, we’ve fought hard to get here. You can’t give up now. Aurora won’t bite you. What are you afraid of?” Penelope chuckled.
“She might not bite, but I…” Gemma’s heart just couldn’t settle.
“Go on,” Penelope nudged her forward, and Gemma, bracing herself, walked on, silently praying that Aurora wouldn’t hold a grudge.
Gemma’s steps were heavy as she walked down the hallway, her heart heavy as if she were walking to her doom. Each step took tremendous courage, and as she hesitated at the door, someone reminded her, “Miss, you can go in now.”
“Yes.” Gemma took a deep breath and finally pushed the door open to enter.
Back in college, she was among the prettiest and always moved with confidence. Now, she felt like meat on a chopping board, subject to scrutiny and judgment.
As she stepped through the doorway, several gazes swept over her simultaneously.
Gemma’s eyes met Aurora’s, who sat in the center like a queen, with others looking to her for cues.
“You may introduce yourself,” came Aurora’s calm voice.
Though Aurora had said nothing harsh, Gemma couldn’t help trembling as if Aurora’s gaze were sharp arrows piercing through to her heart. Gemma steadied her breathing and spoke loudly, “Hello, my name is Gemma Scott, from…”
As she spoke, her voice organized and clear, her initial nerves seemed to smooth out.
Perhaps because she wasn’t born into privilege like Ivy, who only indulged in leisure, her college life was rich and full. The other interviewers nodded appreciatively at her composure.
“Why our company?” Aurora asked coolly.
“The Montgomery Group holds a significant share in the market, promising a bright future. I’ve long heard of Montgomery Group and am eager to join and grow on this excellent platform,” Gemma replied.
It was clear Gemma had done her homework, not only familiar with the company but also fluent in her responses.
“Since you studied finance, tell me, what is finance?” Aurora asked unexpectedly.
Taken aback by the unconventional question, Gemma hesitated. Aurora fired several more technical questions, leaving Gemma flustered.
Her online research had prepared her for standard interview questions, but these in-depth queries required a deeper knowledge she had yet to fully develop.
Gemma only realized at that moment how much she differed from Aurora; some of the terms Aurora used were completely foreign to her. Unable to make anything up, her voice grew fainter.
After Aurora posed a series of technical questions, Gemma’s expression became increasingly grave; these were not questions one could simply find answers to online. Sweat beaded on her forehead; the once eloquent Gemma gradually fell silent, and the other interviewers curiously wondered why Aurora had suddenly become so intense.
Although Aurora had posed similar questions to other candidates before, she had never asked so many all at once. Several of the questions were so complex that not even the interviewers could answer them, prompting everyone to admire Aurora once again for her competence, which clearly did not solely derive from her association with the Montgomery family.
When Gemma was rendered speechless, Aurora finally ceased her questioning. “Alright, you may leave now.”
After Gemma exited, someone boldly asked, “Mr. Montgomery, why were you so harsh on that young girl?”
Expecting Aurora to deflect, they were taken aback when she replied directly, “Because someone like her doesn’t deserve to join the Montgomery Group.” Aurora reclined casually in her chair, her response light yet undeniably firm.
The others quickly fell silent, recognizing the managerial prowess of the young, yet astoundingly seasoned Aurora, whose authority seemed beyond her years.
A consensus formed among them: Aurora’s future was bound to be remarkable, a sentiment attributed not just to her status as a Montgomery heiress but to her genuine capabilities.
Before working closely with her, there had been a bias among them, assuming Aurora’s position was merely due to her familial ties. Some of the company veterans even thought her presence was merely ceremonial. However, after hearing her pose those challenging and intricate questions, they realized they had underestimated her.
Glancing at her watch, which pointed to half-past three, Aurora remembered her promise to cook dinner for Julian. With fewer than ten candidates remaining, she stretched and continued with the interviews.
When it was Penelope’s turn, Aurora was much softer. Knowing Penelope’s capabilities, she deliberately posed a few questions, which Penelope handled with ease, allowing her to leave in half the time it took Gemma.
Gemma, who seemed to have lost her spirit, waited anxiously nearby. When she saw Penelope emerge, she hurried over. “How did it go, did she give you a hard time too?”
Feeling imbalanced and secretly hoping Penelope had fared as poorly as she had, Gemma listened as Penelope explained, “The questions were a bit odd and tricky, but luckily I had come across them in some books, so I managed to answer them.” Penelope’s face lit up with excitement.
Seeing Penelope’s expression, Gemma knew their outcomes were starkly different; Penelope had clearly already succeeded. Resentment filled her heart anew; why had she alone encountered Aurora, this demon of a woman?
Lately, Ian had also changed, no longer as compliant as before and often showing impatience towards her. Gemma blamed all these woes on Aurora.