Veronica lowered her gaze and smoothed the creases in her skirt. Her voice remained calm and even as she said, “I don’t know what gave you such a strong bias against me, but I’ll assume it wasn’t intentional.”


    With that, she turned to leave.


    Coco’s mind was a mess. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Where are you going? The interview hasn’t even started.”


    “We can end it here,” Veronica said as she stopped by Coco’s side. “Maybe take a closer look at the featured collection Heberly asked me to lead.


    She nced over her shoulder and continued, “The piece I’m wearing now–it’s a mock–up.”


    “Thank you for appreciating my work.”


    Her final remark cut Coco like a knife.


    Coco’s expression turned ugly in an instant. She recalled what she had said when she walked in


    earlier.


    “Thepany really went out of its way to find you such a ttering outfit.”


    She suddenly wanted to return to that moment and strangle herself.


    She thought that Veronica was being way too petty. Coco had simply asked a few questions, and Veronica had stormed out of a Heberly interview just like that. No one had ever dared to


    do that before.


    Also, it seemed that the useless woman, Kate, had really set her up this time!


    Meanwhile, in the lobby, Kate had no idea what had just gone down in the interview room.


    Earlier, she had already tipped off her old college senior–now an interviewer for Heberly- about Veronica. She heavily implied that Veronica had gotten the deal through questionable


    means.


    Coco always acted high and mighty and despised women like that the most.


    Kate could practically guess how Veronica’s interview would go. After all, Coco’s sharp tongue had never spared anyone.


    She hoped that Veronica was sobbing her eyes out in there.


    So, after the tour ended, Kate didn’t rush to leave. She stayed in the lobby, eager to watch Veronica fall t on her face.


    The elevator’s red light blinked as it reached the first floor.


    Kate stared at the doors as they slid open. The second she saw that familiar figure, joy bloomed across her face.


    Veronica had really been kicked out!


    “Oh, what a coincidence, Veronica. I didn’t expect to see you at Heberly at this time,” Kate chirped, her eyes gleaming as she searched Veronica’s face for any hint of disappointment.


    However, there wasn’t a single trace of any of that.


    Kate cursed under her breath, thinking that Veronica was too good at pretending.


    Veronica had been wondering why Coco hade at her with such explosive hostility. Now, seeing Kate standing there, everything clicked into ce.


    Her smile turned frosty as she retorted, “If you can be here, why can’t I?”


    “You’re already being kicked out, but still trying to act tough, huh?” Kate’s smile stiffened.” Don’t think that your bedroom tricks can get you everywhere. Getting through Heberly’s doors was pure dumb luck.”


    “It sounds like you’re awfully interested in having that kind of luck,” Veronica said, smirking. “How many bedsheets did you have to get tangled up in to be standing here today?”


    Kate nearly exploded. “Veronica, drop the act! I know you’re crushed right now! Do you have any idea how prestigiou


    a Heberly interview is? They wiped your name off the list just like


    that. People like you will always be trash, no matter where you go!”


    “Oh, you’re right. I’m devastated.” Veronica clutched her chest dramatically, as if her heart might break on the spot.


    Inwardly, though, she was doing cartwheels.


    Stewart’s daughter was so clueless, it was almost painful to witness. Veronica struggled to


    hold back herughter.


    Fortunately, she had time that day. So, she figured that she might as well humor Kate a little.


    “Then, get lost already!” Kate snapped.


    That was when Heberly’s director, Howard Fisk, rushed over.


    “Ms. Dolton, wait!”


    He had missed the beginning of Veronica’s interview that morning because he was stuck in a presentation at headquarters. When the higher–ups found out, they immediately sent him


    back.


    Howard had rushed straight to the interview room, only to find Coco sitting there alone. The


    moment he saw her dazed face, he had a sinking feeling in his gut.


    Coco looked up, startled. “Mr. Fisk? What are you doing here?” Howard never interfered with the Interview department.