**Chapter 16: You Are Fired** Elaine felt her body tense up as if encased in ice. The atmosphere in the room shifted like a dark cloud looming overhead, and she directed her fury at the two interviewers seated across from her. It was evident that Garrett had meticulously dug into the situation at hand—his serious demeanor spoke volumes, and she recognized the weight of the impending consequences. This wasn’t something she could fumble her way out of with half-hearted fabrications. Each day, the Larson Group dismissed countless hopeful candidates, and she couldn’t fathom why a mere rumor about Janet warranted such grave focus from someone as influential as Garrett. With each passing heartbeat, Elaine steeled her resolve. She raised her chin defiantly, fire igniting in her eyes. “I have no tangible proof,” she admitted, swallowing hard, “just the whispers circulating around the office. I couldn’t stand her at first sight—I believed she was unfit for our company, and that’s why I voiced my concern regarding her morals.” Garrett’s previously warm expression vanished, replaced by a frigid stare that could cut glass. "You have made baseless assertions about another individual fueled by personal bias and unfounded rumors. Your actions have jeopardized a promising candidate—one who could enhance our team. Clearly, your judgment is not aligned with the standards of the Human Resources Department. The real conflict of interest lies within you, Elaine Sellers. You are terminated." An oppressive silence swallowed the room, thick with tension. Colors drained from Elaine’s face as panic surged through her veins. “I’m truly sorry, Mr. Harding!” she pleaded, desperation laced in her voice. “I realize I have erred—I take full responsibility. I’ve dedicated years to the Larson Group since my graduation. Please, I implore you, allow me this one chance to redeem myself. Consider the hard work I’ve devoted to this company.” The urgency in her eyes mirrored the weight of her words, revealing how precarious her position had become. The Larson Group was an esteemed titan of the design world; getting her foot in the door had been a monumental achievement. And now, if the news of her dismissal leaked, her professional reputation could crumble into dust—destroying her chances in an industry that revered impeccable track records. Yet to her dismay, Garrett remained unfazed by her outburst. He turned away, signaling to his assistant, “Call security and have Elaine Sellers escorted out.” Chaos erupted in the room, voices murmurings swirling like a summer storm. And only when the guards seized Elaine and ushered her away did an eerie silence reclaim the space, heavy and profound. Garrett’s attention shifted towards Janet, a spark of curiosity igniting within him. Now, he could truly assess this captivating and skilled woman in the quiet that followed. “Miss Lind,” he said gently, a veneer of kindness returning to his demeanor, “Please feel free to continue with your application process. I’ve reviewed your resume—you fit the criteria we seek for new graduates.” Janet stared at him in disbelief, her mind struggling to catch up. It took her a moment to process his words, and all she managed in response was a hesitant nod. “Uh, sure. Okay. Thank you.” Confusion washed over her like a tide pulling her deeper into a sea of uncertainty. Had this truly just transpired? Thankfully, Garrett broke the silence yet again, “I appreciate your time today.” He flashed a warm smile, an unmistakable contrast to the earlier tension. “I must leave for another meeting, but I look forward to our future interactions.” Garrett stood, and as the other men in the room followed suit, he paused at the door, casting a playful wink back at Janet—a subtle hint of interest simmered within that fleeting glance. Once the room settled into solitude, the female interviewer with chestnut hair approached Janet and offered a reassuring pat on her shoulder before departing. Before Janet could respond, the woman was gone, leaving her alone to grapple with the whirlwind of events. Grasping the armrests of her chair, she steadied herself, reminding herself that she was still anchored in reality. The moment she rose, it felt as though she was floating—light as air, free from the chains of uncertainty. Despite her lingering confusion about the bizarre sequence of events, a newfound exhilaration coursed through her veins. What had just transpired? Why had her seemingly floundering interview garnered such dramatic scrutiny from the company’s VP? As her mind swirled with possibilities, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the day’s events had irrevocably changed the trajectory of her life.