Chapter 226: The Interview (2) — Outdo Charles Sawyer

Oscar Wells's appearance in the hall surprised everyone. The so-called Northfield officials were actually reserve personnel, eligible to join aristocratic families after passing a rigorous examination. In Northfield, aristocratic families wielded significant power, controlling much of the country. Ambitious young people eagerly sought this opportunity, a remarkably fair and just examination accessible to all except those with criminal records. Passing the subsequent interview secured a place within one of Northfield's two aristocratic families, who acted as checks and balances on each other, selecting talented individuals through this process to mitigate risks and prevent fraud.

"Amazing! Oscar Wells is here too," an interviewee whispered in surprise.

Charles Sawyer's shift to politics was understandable; he'd publicly expressed his disinterest in business for years, repeatedly stating his desire to serve the country. His ambition was clear. Oscar, however, had never shown any political aspirations. Before his marriage, he was known as a dandy with a questionable reputation, perpetually surrounded by women. After marrying, he ceased his womanizing, but showed no interest in joining the aristocratic families or working for their companies, leaving his brothers, David and Thomas, to manage the Wells Group. The three brothers were of similar age, yet Oscar was considered the least accomplished.

His decision to pursue this path surprised many who believed he would remain outside the family business, a perpetual outsider. Did he understand the difficulty of becoming an official? The challenging written examination was only the first hurdle; the demanding interview scrutinized candidates' backgrounds. A man with Oscar's past seemed unlikely to succeed.

"Maybe he's just here for fun," someone murmured.

"I don't know how he passed the written exam," another said.

"I heard he was a top student. He mentioned his educational background at his wedding to Hannah Cooper."

"No way!"

"Who knows? The exam was rigorous. Maybe he just barely passed."

"Maybe."

"By the way, Charles Sawyer, you were first, right?" an interviewee asked.

Charles's expression shifted. He'd believed himself to be first, but inquiries revealed he was second. Despite extensive preparation, including acquiring portions of the exam beforehand, he'd been surpassed.

"It must be you," the interviewee stated, confirming his suspicion. The examination didn't reveal scores; only candidates knew their rank. Charles, assuming the top candidate was a timid bookworm unwilling to challenge him, didn't question this. He resolved to win the interview and secure the highest overall score to enter the aristocratic families.

Suddenly, a staff member, serious and unapproachable, announced, "There are five minutes until the interviews begin. The order will be determined by the written exam results, starting with the top scorer."

Charles was stunned. He'd been unaware the rankings would be publicly announced.

"They say the first interview doesn't have an advantage, but you'll do great, Charles," a fellow interviewee flattered him. Many present expected Charles to excel.

The staff member announced the list: "Number 1, Oscar Wells; Number 2, Charles Sawyer; Number 3…"

The hall fell silent. Everyone stared, astonished. While some suspected foul play, the exam's stringent security made cheating improbable. The realization that there had been no favoritism shifted their gazes toward a composed Oscar. He briefly glanced at Charles, seemingly curious about his reaction.

"Please follow me to the interview hall. Others, please wait quietly," the staff member instructed, departing.

The top five followed into a room with ten interviewers, their presence imposing.

"To ensure fairness, the interview is being streamed online," the staff member stated. "First interviewee, Oscar Wells, please introduce yourself."

Oscar nodded politely, thanking the staff. Turning to the interviewers, he stated, "I am Oscar Wells, 25, married, a graduate of Ford University with a double master's degree in Economics and Social & Legal Systems, achieving straight A's. After graduating at 22, I briefly worked at Wells Group before pursuing political studies. I completed a degree equivalent to a full-time undergraduate program at Northfield University's adult education program, and my graduation thesis was published on the university website…"

Unexpectedly, Hannah, watching from her office, was surprised by his inclusion of his marital status in his self-introduction. His resume astounded her further. She knew he held advanced degrees, but his achievements were far more substantial than she'd realized, despite his outwardly frivolous lifestyle. Could he have studied while simultaneously socializing? She imagined him winning a "Super Diligence Award."