Leticia stared at her for a long time. She bit her lower lip, could not find the words to reply to Danara, and felt unhappy. She held back her dislike and smiled reluctantly. "You're right. We had an equal chance and had no right to criticize before the results came out. I misunderstood because I jumped to conclusions." She paused for a moment and extended her hand. "Doriane, I apologize for wrongly accusing you."
Danera looked at her in surprise at the woman's sudden change of attitude. So quickly did she change her nature.
"It's okay." But Danera did not take her hand and glanced at her watch.
"I have to go, the interview is about to start."
Leticia withdrew her hand with a smile, not taking offense.
"You're right, let's compete fairly. I hope you don't use your status as Zayn's wife and Mrs. Wiston's granddaughter-in-law to get in."
Danera's eyes narrowed at her last sentence. She was reluctant to respond and did not reply. She walked away from Leticia with an indifferent expression.
Leticia stared at her back for a long time. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, but only for a moment. She then smiled and chased after Danera.
"Let's go together," she said, walking beside Danera.
Danera just nodded without saying anything.
When they arrived, many people were already waiting outside the interview room. Danera was surprised to see so many people at the interview. They didn't look like beginners and were confident. Their clothes were very fashionable. They looked very confident as if they were professionals.
She thought about Leticia's words and felt discouraged. If she was accepted, was it because she was the granddaughter-in-law of the company's owner? What about the people who were more experienced than her and struggled to get this opportunity?
Danera tried to suppress her thoughts. At dinner yesterday, Alisha said she would not use her connections to recruit employees. Otherwise, Alisha could have just accepted it without holding an interview. Alisha wanted to see talent.
With that thought, Danera calmed herself down and straightened her back confidently while waiting for her turn.
....
After about half an hour, Danera was called into the interview room. She was called at the same time as Leticia.
Leticia smiled at her. "Good luck, Doriane."
Danera smiled back politely. "Thank you, you too."
The two then entered the interview room together.
The staff collected their designs and submitted them to the interview panel. The interviewers discussed with each other while assessing the participants' designs and asking some questions.
Leticia answered the judges' questions confidently. She received appreciation and praise for her background experience. When it was Danera's turn, one of the female judges asked.
"Ms. Gillard, did you make this design?"
"Yes, I drew it myself," Danera replied confidently.
"I see you drew a very unique and fresh design. I've never seen a concept as unique as yours. It's fresh and new. But I saw your education history ...." the judge looked at Danera with a doubtful expression on her face.
"You graduated in business management, but how can you create such a new and unique fashion design. You also have no experience in fashion. I want to ask... is this design your original?"
Everyone was staring at Danera. Some were looking at her with suspicious, curious and scornful gazes.
Danera was unfazed and nodded confidently. "Yes, this is really mine. I drew this when I was in college."
"Oh, that was quite a while ago. Then why don't you publish your designs or apply in the fashion field?"
Danera paused momentarily and thought of suitable words that would fit Doriane's identity. "My parents want me to major in business management to help my family business, so I can't work as a fashion designer or publicize my fashion designs. But I can assure you that they are my own designs."
"Well, we'll believe you. You really like the image of your design."
Danera smiled, feeling very happy.
Leticia looked at her with narrowed eyes.
The interview went on until it was over. The company announced the result that day and surprised everyone. The lucky person who got the job was Danera.
"Congratulations Doriane, I thought you would be accepted. I hope you do well even though it's your first time working in this field." Leticia congratulated her in front of all the applicants who didn't pass the interview.
Danera frowned when she heard Leticia's words, which seemed to insinuate that she was accepted even though it was her first time in this field.
"What do you mean by that? It may be my first time working, but I took the interview honestly."
"I was just congratulating you, why are you being sensitive as if I'm accusing you of cheating." Leticia gave a fake smile before continuing her sentence.
Danera pursed her lips and said in a low voice. "Your sentence that-"
Before Danera could finish her sentence, Leticia interrupted, "It's no wonder you think that way. I've had ten years of experience as a fashion designer and worked for a big company, but this is the first time I can't be compared to someone who's just getting into fashion for the first time. This is a very new experience for me."
"Did she get in by cheating?" someone whispered among the applicants, but was still audible to those around her.
"It could be. Otherwise, how could she get rid of a professional with 10 years of experience. She must have paid off the judges to get the interview. No wonder her acceptance was immediately announced today."
"This is unfair and underhanded."
"Companies shouldn't have to hold interviews if they already have candidates. They're wasting all our efforts and are very insincere."
Danera heard people booing about her fraudulent acceptance and felt angry. "That's not true. I didn't pay the judges to get accepted. It's purely because my design was accepted."
"Hah, I can't believe it. How can a newbie who is just entering the fashion designer field be accepted right away while those of us who applied with years of experience didn't pass the interview. Just admit that you paid the judges or you have an inside relationship with the judges?" Someone said in a disbelieving and sarcastic tone to Danera.