Chapter 3
Minerva was like a frog stuck in her own tiny pond, always getting her kicks by stepping on newcomers just to feel better about herself.
She'd never know I landed an opportunity she could only dream of for the rest of her life, just half an hour ago.
"Alright," I said, keeping my voice steady.
I turned around, headed back to my desk, and fired up my computer.
Theo's data request? Already memorized.
And I had a copy stashed on my D drive, too.
Ten minutes later, I had it all laid out in neat, easy-to-read charts.
Two more minutes, and I fired off a concise email with all the details.
I hit send.
A confirmation popped up: sent.
At the same time, my personal email chimed with a new message.
It was from NovaTech's HR department.
The subject line read: Invitation for Second Interview - Senior Account Manager Position.
The second interview was scheduled for two days from now.
The interviewer was Jaylee Wilcher, NovaTech's HR director.
It was still at NovaTech's headquarters.
But this time, it was in a private conference room on a higher floor.
I put in for another day off.
I told them I needed to handle some personal stuff at the bank.
Minerva sounded annoyed on the phone.
"Ruby, what's with all your requests lately?" she grumbled.
"Do you even want this job anymore?"
I didn't bother arguing but just kept it cool. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done."
She reluctantly approved my leave, clearly annoyed.
In her eyes, I was just someone still on probation—no way I'd ever stir things up.
When I arrived at NovaTech, the headhunter was already waiting for me downstairs.
He led me upstairs.
On the way, he gave me a quick rundown on Jaylee's background.
She was a seasoned HR pro, with over ten years at NovaTech.
She had an uncanny knack for reading people—could size one up in seconds.
The headhunter gave me a heads-up.
"Jaylee's interview style is nothing like Barnaby's," he said.
"She's more interested in your soft skills, your values, and whether you vibe with the company culture.
"Barnaby's already signed off on your technical skills. With Jaylee, it's all about the person behind the resume."
I nodded.
I walked into the conference room.
Jaylee was already seated inside.
She looked to be in her forties, dressed in a sharp gray suit and sporting a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.
She had an intellectual vibe, but there was a sharp, assessing look in her eyes behind those glasses.
"Hi Ruby, please have a seat," she said, her voice gentle.
No desk separated us.
Instead, two comfortable chairs were set up facing each other.
The whole setup felt more like a casual conversation than a formal interview.
But honestly, that kind of laid-back vibe could be even more nerve-wracking.
"I read Barnaby's evaluation of you. He had nothing but praise," Jaylee said, getting straight to the point.
"He said you're the most visionary young candidate he's interviewed in years," she added.
"I'm flattered," I replied.
"Honestly, I was just sharing a few thoughts as an outsider—nothing too professional."
Jaylee smiled, "No, you're not just an outsider.
"We've already had a small group discussion about your deck internally.
"Some of your ideas about expanding into lower-tier markets were really eye-opening."
Her words surprised me a little.
I was impressed by how quickly they moved and took the opinions of a candidate who hadn't even started yet so seriously.
That was just unthinkable at my current company, where any proposal I made would never see the light of day.
"I'm curious," Jaylee said, leaning in a little.
"In your opinion, what qualities should a great company have?"
This was the real test—not some technical stuff.
I barely had to think about it.
It was something I'd known all along.
"Respect," I said straight out.
"Respect for expertise, respect for the process, and respect for every employee who brings value to the table.
"A healthy system should ensure that employees' efforts are fairly rewarded.
"Those who work hard deserve real hope—not just chasing after pie in the sky that never materializes."
I said all this in a calm, steady voice.
No complaints, no anger.
Just laying out what I saw as sound business logic.
Jaylee sat quietly, listening.
Her gaze softened behind those gold-rimmed glasses.
"That's very well said." Jaylee nodded.
"One last question. What are you hoping for in terms of salary?" she asked.
The headhunter had already briefed me on this.
But I knew it was part of the standard process.
It was also her way of gauging my self-worth.
"I'm confident your company will offer a competitive package that matches my value," I answered, leaving the ball in her court.
Jaylee's smile softened, this time carrying a genuine sense of appreciation.
"I see," she said.
"Ruby, welcome aboard. The final interview with the VP is just a formality.
"You should start thinking about renting a place closer to the office."
I stepped out of the conference room.
The headhunter was waiting for me outside, flashing an "okay" sign.
"Congrats! Now that you've passed Jaylee's round, you're pretty much in," he said.
I stepped out of NovaTech's building.
It was already getting dark outside.
Instead of going straight home, I walked into a nice-looking restaurant.
I ordered a steak dinner—something I never dared to treat myself to before.
The steak was so tender it just melted in my mouth.
I took it slow, enjoying every bite.
With each mouthful, I was leaving behind the old me, the one who used to feel so insignificant and trapped.
The final interview was set for Friday afternoon.
That day would mark my sixth month at my current job—down to the exact date.
The interviewer was the VP of Sales at NovaTech.
This was the last gate I had to pass before I could finally step through the door at NovaTech.
On Friday morning, I was still at my current job.
Just like any other day, I was buried in all the little tasks for the NorthTech Project.
Theo called me into his office.
He was wearing a smile so rare, I'd almost call it "friendly", which instantly made me suspicious.
"Good work recently, Ruby. I appreciate it," Theo said, his tone unusually warm.
He even poured me a cup of water himself.
It was just a disposable cup, with some cheap coffee foam floating.
"The second phase of the NorthTech Project is going smoothly, all thanks to your oversight," Theo said.
"It's what I'm supposed to do," I replied politely.
"Your abilities haven't gone unnoticed," Theo said, leaning back in his big chair, fingers laced over his stomach.
He put on that wise, earnest look, like he was about to give me some life advice. "Rest assured, the company always takes care of those who truly contribute."