Chapter 33

“You’ve passed the first round then, Mia declared.

Actually, it was within Seraphina’s expectations. Seraphina raised an eyebrow, “The first round?”

Mia chuckled in response, “Did you honestly believe that I would evaluate your skills with such an easy question? Don’t be naive. Becoming a part of my team, working for Aroma Delight-it’s going to be tough.”

“Every recruit of this company has undergone rigorous examinations and interviews. Why should you be the exception?” Mia questioned, openly vocalizing her core concerns.

For Mia, the matter went beyond personal disdain for Seraphina. As a long-standing member of Aroma Delight, she had faced numerous stringent assessments, even with her expansive portfolio and powerful recognitions, to get where she was. Mia took pride in her achievements and held absolute faith in her abilities. Therefore, Seraphina’s sudden appearance and quick ascension had thrown her off balance. Mia was unaware of Seraphina’s credentials-at this point, she didn’t even care. What troubled her was the potential of having a team member who lacked real competence.

“I never requested any special treatment nor am I receiving any. After all, I’m here answering your tests, Seraphina responded gently, maintaining a calm demeanor and a faint smile.

Her composure in face of public scrutiny gave her an extraordinary poise, and was well received by those present.

“Well, while you passed this round, that doesn’t mean you’ve earned my approval,” Mia retorted. If Seraphina believed the road to acceptance was going to be easy, she was in. for a surprise.

The initial challenge Mia posed was plucked out of the air, a decently tricky hurdle but not nearly as tough as she wanted. So far, Mia had viewed Seraphina as a crafty. opportunist with little actual skill.

However, after watching Seraphina handle the first challenge successfully in front of the entire team, Mia decided to reassess her approach. She was determined to make the upcoming challenges far more grueling.

“I’m prepared for whatever challenge that comes my way, Ms. Lawson. I won’t back. down.”

with a spontaneous Seraphina was resolute. She leaned forward, meeting Mia’s gaze wit smile that seemed to unsettle Mia. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing really, I just have a question. How many challenges have you set up for me?”

#bel 14:18 Wed, 31 Jan D Seraphina asked.

H Seeming taken aback, Mia straightened up and retorted, “What? Are you getting cold feet now? Have you forgotten what you said a moment ago?”

“Not at all,” retorted Seraphina, holding her ground. “Given that we have a deal, it’s only fair to clarify the specifics from the start. I don’t mind facing any number of challenges, but I would like to know if this is going to be an endless cycle of hurdles regardless of my previous performance…”

Taking offensive at Seraphina’s words, Mia snapped, “Enough! What do you mean?”

Getting agitated, Mia shouted, “Let me be clear, Seraphina Jones! I might not be your biggest fan, but I would never allow personal feelings to fuel my professional decisions. Are you insinuating that I’m deliberately setting you up for failure?”

“No, of course not. I reckon you’re fair, Ms. Lawson. So, are you going to answer my question?”

Mia clenched her fists tightly, trying to keep her rising anger in check.

Seraphina’s words were reasonable yet sharply insightful. It wasn’t lost on Mia that despite Seraphina’s apparent passivity, every sentence she dropped was poking at Mia’s seemingly unfair tactics, which Mia found rather challenging to swallow.

“Three rounds in total!” Mia conceded through gritted teeth. “There’s no exception. Everyone who has ever been hired by the project department has faced three challenges. For you, it won’t be any different.”

“Okay,” Seraphina nodded, appearing undeterred. “I appreciate the honesty. But, could you clarify if the second challenge comes next? Or was the previous sequence a mere warm-up, with the actual test yet to come?”

Seraphina’s candid question had put Mia in a tight spot. Mia had intended to follow the very course of action that Seraphina had just suggested. Now, Mia was torn, caught between her desire to continue with her original plan and maintaining her professional image in front of her colleagues.

“Oh, please! I just confirmed that you passed the first round, and I always stay true to my word. Do you assume that everyone here at Aroma Delight lacks integrity?” Mia rebuked.

“No, I understand the level of pride associated with being a part of this organization, Seraphina replied evenly.

Mia scoffed at that, “Enough with the sugar-coated words, they won’t sway me. Bear in mind, you have two more rounds to go, and they only get tougher. Prepare yourself ta 14:18 Wed, 31 Jan D fail gracefully.”

“Don’t worry. Like you, I always keep my promise,” retorted Seraphina, intentionally emphasizing her last statement.

Mia didn’t seem pleased. “Alright, we’re done for today. Meeting adjourned!”

Following Mia’s cue, the spectators, who had been silently observing the face-off between Seraphina and Mia, started gathering their belongings and left the room. Seraphina, however, lingered, sensing that the confrontation was far from over.

As she had anticipated, once the room was emptied and the door closed, Mia stood up, stretching lazily. “You lucked out on the first challenge, but don’t count on the same for the next two. Convincing me isn’t that easy,” She cautioned.

“Do you mean you won’t continue testing me today?”

Understanding that Mia was not in a rush to continue the tests, Seraphina mulled over how this might disrupt her progress. Despite the recent tension with Prosperian Company, her commitment to her craft as a perfumer had not faltered.

“Clearly not!” Mia retorted, “Do you honestly think I have all the time in the world to amuse you? I want to be considerate about the content for the next test. Once it’s finalized, you’ll be informed.”

“Well… do you have a timeline for me to keep in mind?”

If Mia failed to provide an exact timeline, she’d effectively decline giving Seraphina an opportunity to prove herself.

Mia turned her gaze sharply towards Seraphina, “Are you worried that I might conveniently procrastinate these tests indefinitely?”

“Truthfully, yes, Seraphina admitted frankly.

Taken aback by Seraphina’s directness, Mia let out a small laugh before responding, “Good to see you’re not holding back. Although I relish the idea of making things difficult for you, I won’t stoop to such petty measures. Within three days, the tests will begin.”

Satisfied, Seraphina then queried, “What should I do in these three days?”