Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After… 1/13
Chapter 668 Hitch a Ride
Anne adjusted her outfit in front of the mirror, taking a moment to appreciate her reflection before heading out the door. It was her first day back to work after having her baby, and she was determined to make a good impression at the company where she planned to submit her application. While she didn’t necessarily need the money at the moment, sitting around and indulging in leisure wasn’t her style. Anne wanted to work hard, enhance her self-worth, and set a positive example for Bella.
As she arrived at the entertainment company, Anne followed the receptionist’s directions upstairs, initially planning to drop off her documents and leave. However, she soon learned that the company was holding auditions for models.
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The application process was straightforward–all she needed to do was fill out an additional interview form and wait for the selection. Curious, Anne discovered that a fashion magazine was looking for new faces. It occurred to her that it wouldn’t hurt to throw her hat in the ring–after all, what if she got picked? It had been a year since Anne last worked, thanks to her pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period.
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3/13
The competition in the modeling industry was fierce, and being out of the game for so long could be detrimental. Even though Anne felt confident about her figure, she knew that new talent was popping up everywhere, like mushrooms after the rain. Anne was fully aware that she wasn’t a renowned model and didn’t have the luxury of being selective. She completed the form and submitted it, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
The staff indicated she should wait. A few minutes later, the HR representative returned with a list of candidates who had made it to the next round.
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There were ten names in total, and Anne’s was the last on the list. In the modeling world, it was common practice to list the most suitable candidates first. If the interviewers were pleased with someone’s look and presence, they would often make a decision on the spot, leaving the rest of the applicants without a chance to continue.
Watching the girls who didn’t make the cut leave in droves, Anne felt a pang of discomfort at being last on the list. It suggested she might just be there to fill space. However, seeing so many others walk away reassured her that she had at least made it through a tough selection process.
Chapter 668 Hitch a Ride
By the time it was her turn, nearly two hours had passed, and hunger was beginning to set in.
“Next up, Anne Blanchett,” the interviewer called.
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Anne stood up, straightened her outfit, and stepped into the interview room. The moment she entered, all eyes were on her. She greeted everyone with confidence, not letting nerves get the best of her.
The panel consisted of three men and two women. One man in a sharp suit was focused on writing something down, not even bothering to look up at her. The other two men scrutinized her from head to toe, then glanced at their notes.
Chapter 668 Hitch a Ride
After a moment, they shook their heads, clearly unimpressed.
To her relief, one of the female interviewers spoke up, “She has a great figure, and her bone structure is beautiful. She should look fantastic on camera. I think she’s better than the ones we’ve seen so far.”
The other female interviewer nodded in agreement.
As this was a fashion magazine shoot, models were required to have an exceptional camera presence. Those who could sit on the interview panel likely had some clout in the fashion industry, and, as such, their eyes were sharp and discerning. However, the two men exchanged glances.
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Anne’s brow furrowed at that remark. She almost retorted, “Aren’t you the product of your mother, too?”
But she held her tongue, reminding herself that she was here to make a good impression, not to engage in petty arguments. After all, this industry was small. They could easily cross paths again. She couldn’t afford to burn bridges over a moment of indignation.
One of the female interviewers chimed in, “True, she’s had a child, but I still think she’s a strong candidate overall.”
The two men and two women held differing opinions, with the gentlemen making their stance clear–among a group of teenage girls
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with skin so tender, Anne, despite her best efforts, was ultimately outmatched.
Anne realized she was facing workplace discrimination—something she had anticipated before returning to work but hadn’t expected to encounter on her very first day back. She knew that in this industry, models were getting younger by the minute.
As the discussion grew tense, Anne felt the weight of the awkwardness in the room. It was two against two, and the two female interviewers were eager to advocate for her, recognizing her potential. Then someone turned to the man in the center, asking, “Mr. Blunt, what’s your take on this?”
Chapter 668 Hitch a Ride
Only then did Max look up from his paperwork, drawing everyone’s attention.
Anne’s heart skipped a beat. Max?
He seemed to just notice her, nodding with a smile. “Anne, good to see you again.”
The two men, who had just opposed her, suddenly looked uneasy. They exchanged glances, clearly realizing that the boss was familiar with her.
“So, Mr. Blunt knows her. This changes everything,” they thought, wondering if they’d inadvertently offended her or if their earlier comments would come back to haunt them.
Anne nodded back at Max, but the Chapter 668 Hitch a Ride intensified.
10/13
She thought to herself, “Is there anything more awkward than interviewing for a job only to find out the boss is an old classmate?”
Max studied her for a few seconds before speaking coolly, “Her qualifications are impressive, but we do have other candidates who might be a better fit, don’t we?”
His words left the other two men confused. They thought, “Isn’t Mr. Blunt supposed to favor his acquaintance? What’s he playing at?”
One of the men jumped in. “Right, the model we were considering is Felicity Simons. She’s well-known, has a solid fanbase, and fits our magazine’s image
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looks. It’s about overall appeal, right?”
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“Then let’s go with Felicity,” another voice chimed in.
Anne felt her heart sink.
She thought, “If they already have a candidate in mind, why waste my time? And to be insulted by these two men for no reason?”
As the interview wrapped up, she walked out with her bag slung over her shoulder, her smile polite but her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration.
“Max used to be so approachable. What happened to him in the years since we last met?”
Anne headed to the elevator, ready to her car in the garage.
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Just as she unlocked her vehicle, Max appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “Hey, Anne, why the rush?”
Anne turned to look at him.
Max wore a smile, but Anne, harboring a bit of lingering resentment, spoke in a colder tone, “Mr. Blunt, is there something else you need from me?”
“Mr. Blunt?” Max raised an eyebrow, surprised by her formality. “You’re not my employee. Why call me that?”
He stepped closer, his strides eating up the distance between them. “How about I treat you to dinner? My treat.”
Anne raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “You
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passed on hiring me. Why would I want to have dinner with you?”
“Exactly! That’s why I want to apologize over dinner,” he replied, his tone sincere.
Glancing at her luxurious Rolls-Royce, he didn’t hesitate at all, pulling open the passenger door and sliding in.
Addressing Anne’s confusion, Max explained, “My car just happened to be sent in for maintenance. Would it be alright if I hitch a ride with you?”