Chapter 1298

Once Hannah stepped out, everyone noticed the smile still lingering on her face.

It was the first time since the last six or seven candidates that anyone had left the room looking remotely pleased.

That alone told them everything—they figured she must have been hired.

The job posting had made it clear: only two spots were open. With one already taken, the competition instantly felt sharper, the odds slimmer.

A ripple of unease passed through the waiting room as the remaining candidates exchanged looks, unsure whether to press on or cut their losses.

Some were already tempted to give up.

But in the corner, a man sat with calm focus, back straight, eyes fixed on the company brochure in his hands.

While the others were busy calculating where to head for their next interview, he was reading every line about Frost & Clear Studio–its story, culture, and most recent project with a major developer.

He hadn’t applied to any other company. This was the only one he wanted.

If he didn’t make it, he’d go back out tomorrow and start fresh.

But as long as he was here, he was going to give it his best shot–thoroughly, properly, and with no shortcuts.

He didn’t rush and jostle to get ahead of the others.

While the rest scrambled to finish and escape, he simply waited, steady as stone.

Even if he was called in last, he preferred it that way.

It gave him more time to prepare.

And in the end, that was exactly how it happened—he was the last candidate left.

Meanwhile, Aurora’s expression had grown darker with each passing interview.

Not one candidate had proven suitable–too odd, underqualified, and arrogant.

She’d already announced that the business development role was filled, leaving only the assistant position.

But the moment the title “assistant” was mentioned, most lost interest.

The questions she asked were met with half-hearted replies, their energy drained.

Clearly, they were chasing prestige, not responsibility.

Aurora could feel her patience thinning.

Aurora pressed her fingers to her temples, fighting the urge to call it quits.

Every answer felt more careless than the last, and she doubted the next would be any better.

Ian could see her frustration, but there wasn’t much he could do. These candidates had all come from an open online listing–there hadn’t been a chance to screen them more carefully.

Some things were simply beyond their control.

“Why don’t we stop for today?” he suggested gently, watching her tired expression.

His chest tightened with sympathy.

She had carried the weight of the studio from day one, the endless running around, and sleepless nights.

If it weren’t for Aurora, this place wouldn’t even exist. It was her creation, her child.

But she forced herself upright, shaking her head. “No. There should only be one left, right? Let’s see him through.”

No matter how drained she felt, she couldn’t just dismiss someone who had shown up. Respect went both ways.

If someone had made the effort to come all the way here, the least she could do was finish the interview.