Beneath Her Gilded Mask

Chapter 5 Ace the Job Interview

"Calista."

A crisp voice, with a slight accent, cut through the chatter in the noisy hall and directly reached Calista's ears.

She looked up and saw a woman in a black uniform, her hair neatly pinned up, standing by the door. The woman's sharp gaze swept over the group of applicants.

"Calista," the housekeeper repeated.

Something shifted in Calista's mind. She stood and walked toward the door.

Instantly, curious, inquisitive, and envious eyes locked onto her. After all, being the first one called always made them stand out.

Calista pushed the door open, revealing a simple yet dignified room. A long table sat in the center, stacked with a pile of documents.

The housekeeper gestured to the table and said, "Please fill out this form."

The form asked for her name, age, education, work experience, family background, and even skills and hobbies.

A small smile curled on Calista's lips, and she mused, 'Ellet sure knew how to make a spectacle of hiring a nanny.'

But it suited her just fine.

The pen moved quickly across the paper, and Calista filled out the form with ease.

Having spent years immersed in high society, Calista could easily glean Ellet's habits and preferences just from the way the form was laid out.

Ten minutes later, she handed the completed form to the housekeeper.

The housekeeper reviewed it, and a flicker of surprise and approval passed through her eyes. "Alright, please wait over there for the second-round interview." Her tone was softer than it was earlier.

Calista nodded and sat down in the waiting area.

The other ten or so applicants were all tense, their faces full of anxiety and anticipation.

But Calista was the picture of calm. She sat upright on the couch, looking graceful and composed.

Years of being a professional stand-in had forged a solid mental fortitude in her. She was used to handling pressure with ease.

Soon, the housekeeper reappeared and announced, "Congratulations, you've made it through the first round. Now, we'll proceed to the second round of interviews. I'll ask some questions about household services, and I'd like everyone to answer in turn."

The air in the room instantly became thick with tension.

"The first question—if a valuable antique vase is accidentally broken, how would you handle it?" The housekeeper's gaze swept over the group, her expression serious.

A young woman dressed simply was the first to answer. "I would immediately apologize to the owner and take full responsibility. If it can be repaired, I will try to fix it. If not, I would compensate based on the market value."

Her response was standard, though a little lackluster.

The answers from the others were pretty much the same.

When it was Calista's turn, she flashed a calm smile and replied, "First, I would assess the vase's value and the extent of the damage. If it's a priceless antique, I would take photos, notify the owner and the insurance company, and secure the area to prevent further damage."

"As for responsibility, I would own up to what I'm accountable for. However, if the vase was improperly placed or damaged due to some other external factor, I would protect my own rights."

Calista's answer made everyone in the room take notice.

The housekeeper's eyes gleamed with approval, and she said with a faint smile, "Miss Calista, your answer was very professional."

Then, the housekeeper launched into a series of more difficult questions like "What would you do if the employer's child accidentally went missing?"

"How would you handle it if the employer was unhappy with your work and started making unreasonable accusations?"

"What if you were given multiple urgent tasks at the same time? How would you prioritize them?"

The other applicants fumbled through their responses. Some were hesitant, others tried to dodge the hard questions.

But Calista remained calm and confident as she answered smoothly, "If... Based on priority... I'd make sure all tasks were handled properly."

The housekeeper's face broke into a satisfied smile after hearing Calista's answers. She said, "Miss Calista, you've done an excellent job. Congratulations, you've passed the second round."

The other applicants looked at Calista with a mix of admiration and envy.

But inside, Calista remained calm. She knew the real test was still ahead. Molina was not going to be easy to please.

Walking down a long hallway, Calista was led into a lavishly decorated parlor where gold and white were the dominant colors, with a crystal chandelier dazzling overhead. Priceless oil paintings adorned the walls, and Persian rugs covered the floor, adding to the atmosphere of opulence.

Molina was sitting on the sofa in the center of the room and sipping coffee. She exuded a lazy, haughty air as she surveyed everything around her.

She was wearing a brand-new Chanel suit, accessorized with a regal green necklace. She radiated the unmistakable vibe of a wealthy, high-class woman.

"So, you're Calista?" Molina set her coffee cup down and casually examined Calista, her gaze sharp and judgmental.

Calista nodded slightly, meeting Molina's eyes with calm composure. "Yes, Madam. I'm Calista."

For this interview, she had made an effort to "disguise" herself. She wore soft and natural makeup, clear glasses, and a simple, professional outfit—aiming to blend in and not draw attention.

She knew women like Molina, who was jealous and possessive, despised flashy women who tried to attract attention.

As expected, after scanning Calista for a few seconds, Molina sneered, "I can't stand those women who are overdressed and always try to seduce men. There was one I interviewed before. She dressed like a peacock, strutting around like this was some nightclub. Ugh..." She waved her hand dismissively, as if the very thought disgusted her.

The housekeeper instantly understood and went to the door to give some orders.

Soon, a young woman, stylishly dressed with impeccable makeup, walked in, her face full of frustration.

"Madam, I think you misunderstood me..." The young woman tried to explain.

Molina's voice sliced through her attempt. "Misunderstand? I think you've got the wrong intentions! Women like you only cause trouble. You'll just end up tempting my husband and ruining our family's reputation!"

The young woman's face drained of color, and her eyes welled up as she struggled to hold back tears. She then turned to leave.

But as she was heading out, she noticed Calista sitting there. Jealousy and frustration flared in her eyes, and she protested, "Why does she get to stay? She's got a nice figure too. Don't you worry she'll be the one to seduce your husband, madam?"