"What! No way!" Sophia's eyes widened and her face turned bright red.
Sophia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her voice echoed throughout the room. She had been so sure that she would be the winner. However, to her surprise, it was the arrogant newcomer, Willow, who won.
Willow, equally shocked, blinked in disbelief. Had she heard correctly? To be honest, she had wanted this job so badly that her mind struggled to accept the reality that she was the winner.
But her doubts vanished when the interview panel stepped forward toward her with warm smiles, saying, "Willow Stuart congratulations—you've passed this interview selection."
Joy radiated from Willow's face, her chest tight with excitement. It took her a moment before she could speak, "Thank you… thank you so much!" she said. "Thanks, God," she murmured to herself.
She did it!
There's no doubt about it. Now she's landed her dream job. This means she can finally help Rainer, payed his debt.
The other designers around her can only mutter in surprise.
"How is this possible?"
"It's really her. I didn't expect her work to be that good!"
"A newcomer beating Sophia? That's impossible!"
Sophia, who had been silent for a few seconds, suddenly shouted angrily. She rushed toward the interviewers, her face turning red with anger. "There must be a mistake. There's no way that newcomer could win! What's so special about her?!"
Her gaze fixed on Willow, who was still savoring her victory, her voice filled with hatred and provocation. "Willow Stuart cheated! I demand a review of the interviewers' decision! There's no way my design could be beaten by hers..!"
The interview leader, wearing a somber expression, was losing his patience.
"Sophia Warren, do you doubt our ability to evaluate talent? If that's the case, maybe you should just take my job."
Sophia's face tensed, her breath rising and falling, gasping. She clamped her mouth shut, realizing she had said the wrong thing. Now she felt so intimidated that she couldn't utter a single word.
The interviewer was a key figure in the Fashion Design Department of Stars Vision, someone her knew well enough to know that no one dared to offend him.
Deep in heart, Sophia screamed and cursed, "Damn you, Willow!"
After the other designers left, the main interviewer gestured for Willow to come closer. "You don't have any other plans, do you? If not, come tomorrow morning to complete the orientation process. Someone will guide you through the company and help you get started with your work."
"All right, thank you," she replied. A smile played on her lips. After exchanging a few words, she left the room, her heart still pounding with excitement.
Securing a position at Stars Vision Company felt like the happiest event in the past six months of her life.
Her thoughts immediately turned to Riley's, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. If he were at home, she couldn't wait to share this victory with him.
Perhaps it would help him trust her more and bring them closer together.
As she stepped out of the Star building, Willow saw Sophia waiting for her, anger clearly visible on her face.
"Willow, don't get too cocky." Sophia's spat, her voice filled with hatred. "Just wait. I'll expose your true nature."
After that, sophia hurried away, leaving Willow momentarily stunned.
Willow blinked, confused, and gave a small laugh. She didn't know what Sophia meant by her words. But her mood was already exhausted after the interview. She didn't even want to think about it. And she certainly didn't want to get involved further with that arrogant woman.
Soon after, Willow arrived at home.
"Will Rainer be coming home tonight?" she asked the butler while taking off her shoes.
The butler smiled warmly, "Mr. Stuart said he'll be coming home for dinner." he replied.
He then looked at her hopefully, "Mrs. Stuart, what would you like for dinner? I've already prepared it in the kitchen earlier."
She thought for a moment before answering, "No need, I'll cook. I just need a few maids to help me in the kitchen."
Since there was nothing else she could do, she decided to just cook. She thought of surprising Rainer.
By the time dinner was ready, the sky outside had begun to darken, and the soft, calm light of the evening sun streamed in through the window.
She washed her hands carefully, then sat down on the sofa, her eyes repeatedly glancing toward the door. She sat there waiting for her husband.
However, time kept passing, and Rainer still hadn't appeared at the entrance. She began to feel anxious. She had been waiting for her husband to come home, but there was still no sign of him.
Noticing Willow's waiting posture, the butler looked at her hesitantly before speaking, "Mrs Stuart, it's already late. Why don't you eat first? Mr. Stuart must be busy working."
She shook her head weakly, her voice soft yet firm. "I will wait for my husband. I want to eat with him."
The butler, feeling it was pointless to argue, simply nodded and walked away.
As the minutes passed, her eyes grew heavy. Slowly, without realizing it, she fell asleep on the sofa.
It wasn't until late at night that Rainer finally arrived home. He entered the living room, and his gaze immediately fell on Willow, who was asleep on the sofa.
He paused for a moment, startled, and then, in a soft voice, turned to the butler, a frown forming between his brows. "What happened? Why is she sleeping here?"
The butler instinctively lowered his voice, sensing the tension, and replied, "Sir, Mrs.Stuart prepared dinner for you and has been waiting for you since earlier."
A flash of irritation crossed Rainer's face upon hearing the butler's response. He furrowed his brow and his voice grew sharp. "Did you tell her? I was busy with my work. She shouldn't have had to wait for me."
His gaze fell on her sleeping face, and in a muttered tone, almost like a whisper, he added, "Useless."
Before the butler could respond, Willow suddenly stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she finally awoke and found Rainer's faint silhouette standing before her. She felt disoriented, still caught up in her drowsiness.
She rubbed her eyes slightly, and as her blurry vision began to clear and focus on him, she paused for a moment, feeling a bit confused, her mind still processing the situation.
Rainer's breath quickened, his heart racing as he looked at her face. Her innocent and sleepy expression made her look so... innocent and charming.
For a moment, he was startled by the wildness of his own thoughts, the warm feeling spreading through his heart and throughout his body. He felt a little strange experiencing that feeling.
Rainer's breath came in gasps and his heart pounded as he drew in a breath.
As if snapping him out of his reverie, Willow fully awoke, her face glowing as she tossed aside the blanket, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Rain, you're finally back! I have something very important to tell you!" she exclaimed, her voice full of urgency.
Rainer's thoughts immediately returned to the reports his subordinates had been submitting over the past few days.
He knew she was busy, but he didn't know what she was doing.
His mind grew dark for a moment as he considered the possibility that Willow was about to announce her departure.
His butler had mentioned that she had prepared dinner. Perhaps it was her final gesture of kindness—something to distract him from the pain of her departure.
Thinking about it, it felt like a knife piercing his heart. His face immediately grew somber.