CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48- BIG BOSS

Because her mind was still preoccupied with other thoughts, Catherine was somewhat distracted. Even when the staff at the door called her name, she didn’t hear it. It was only when a young woman sitting next to her reminded her that she snapped back to attention.

Realizing it was her turn for the interview, she quickly stood up and, a little apologetically, followed the staff member inside.

Inside the interview room, three interviewers were seated, with Bert in the center.

When Catherine entered, he was looking down at the documents in his hands. His profile was perfect and stern, and Catherine guessed that he must be reviewing her resume. Instantly, she felt a wave of nervousness.

This was her first time meeting Bert in such a formal, serious setting, and he was an interviewer.

Catherine had always found him imposing and severe even in casual interactions, much like a strict, no-nonsense school principal. Now, as an interviewer, he seemed even more daunting. She was sure she wasn’t the only one feeling this way; even the senior designers in the reception room had admitted they were nervous knowing the big boss himself would conduct the interview.

Moreover, Bert’s presence was overwhelming. Even sitting across the table from him made one’s heart race.

The first question came from the interviewer to Bert’s left, the HR manager. Another interviewer, seemingly the finance manager, was seated on the right. Catherine was relieved the first question wasn’t from Bert himself—otherwise, she wasn’t sure she could have spoken without freezing up.

Fortunately, throughout most of the interview, the other two interviewers led the questioning. Bert sat there calmly and silently, listening to their questions and her answers. Occasionally, his gaze would flick between the resume in his hands and Catherine herself.

Every time their eyes met, Catherine would subtly look away. She felt that maintaining eye contact with a man of his stature and presence might make her falter.

Every glance from him carried an undeniable sense of authority.

When the other two interviewers had finished their questions, it was Bert’s low, crisp voice that finally filled the large room:

"Miss Channing, why did you choose the field of jewelry design?"

This time, Catherine had no choice but to meet his eyes. Looking at the person you’re addressing is the most basic sign of respect.

He wore a perfectly tailored shirt and suit, accentuating his tall, upright posture. His sharp, well-defined features exuded the charm of a mature man. The steel watch on his wrist radiated a cold, noble elegance.

Catherine froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

It wasn’t that she was distracted by his appearance in a superficial way; it was that the aura he emanated was so intense that she couldn’t help but be drawn to it.

According to Riley, if one were to compare handsomeness, among the young business elites like Burg Eltz, Morrison was the most conventionally attractive.

However, the maturity and refined temperament that Bert carried—shaped by years of experience—far surpassed Morrison.

Catherine also knew, from what Riley had said, that Bert had experienced a rougher, more challenging life than Morrison and his half-brother Dave, who had enjoyed a relatively smooth upbringing. It was natural that his demeanor appeared more reserved and mature.

Coupled with his cold, somewhat unapproachable personality, Bert felt entirely different from Dave and Morrison.

If Dave represented righteousness and Morrison represented mischief, Bert... represented severity.

According to Riley, Bert was exactly the type of man who was clearly "bad, very bad," yet irresistibly captivating.

Ever since discovering Bert’s existence and experiencing that encounter at the police station, Riley had completely become a fangirl of Bert.

Catherine was puzzled by Riley’s mindset and had even asked,

"You said he’s very bad, so why are you so fascinated by him?"

Riley answered earnestly,

"It’s precisely his badness that fascinates me."

Catherine could only roll her eyes.

However, for Catherine, the word "bad" didn’t quite apply to Bert. At least, so far, none of his badness had ever been directed toward her.

At that moment, noticing her brief pause and flustered expression, Bert raised an eyebrow and asked,

"Nervous?"

It was a man’s deep, pleasant voice, casually slowed in tone, which slightly eased Catherine’s tension.

In her mind, she thought: Who wouldn’t be nervous? Especially during an interview at a company as prestigious as Bert Design, with the big boss himself sitting there, cold and impassive, as an interviewer?

"Sorry..."

Even though she was nervous, she still apologized for her momentary pause. Then, a little flustered, she answered his question:

"My father is in the jewelry business, so I’ve been influenced since childhood. That’s why I developed a love for the jewelry industry."

After answering, Catherine held her breath and waited for him to ask the next question. She knew this one was simple, and from her prior interview experience, questions usually grew progressively more difficult. She braced herself mentally for the next round.

"Mm."

But to her surprise, he simply responded with a faint "Mm," then turned his gaze toward the two interviewers on either side of him, addressing them with a purely professional tone:

"My questions are done. Do you have anything further to ask?"

"Done asking?"

The two assistants were momentarily taken aback; one of them even asked in return.

Catherine wasn’t the first to attend the final interview—two candidates had already gone before her. If they remembered correctly, the big boss had been extremely... harsh... with them.

Yet now, with Catherine, he had only asked a trivial question and stopped, clearly going easy on her...

One of the assistants quickly caught on to the big boss’s intention and immediately replied,

"I have nothing further to ask."

The other followed suit,

"Nor do I."

Bert then turned his attention back to Catherine, gracefully closing the folder containing her resume. Calmly, he announced the conclusion of her interview:

"You may step out and wait for the results."

Catherine was stunned—she had expected him to continue with some difficult questions...

At that moment, the assistant who had escorted her in earlier stood and gestured her out,

"Miss Channing, your interview is over. You may leave."

Still somewhat dazed, Catherine was led out of the room. Even after returning to the waiting area, her emotions hadn’t fully settled.

The "Carry" uncle she knew had also been called in for an interview, while the remaining candidates were talking among themselves, mostly trying to find out what the big boss had asked. The other interviewers’ questions had been fairly easy for them, but the questions from the big boss...

The two candidates who had already finished complained that his questions were extremely difficult to answer.

The girl sitting next to Catherine eagerly asked her,

"Catherine, what did the big boss ask you?"

After the girl asked Catherine that question, the rest of the candidates fell silent, all eyes turning expectantly toward Catherine, eagerly awaiting her response.

Catherine felt a headache coming on.

She had already clearly sensed that Bert was going easy on her. Asking why she had chosen the jewelry design industry was the simplest question in the interview, and he had only asked that one question. If she truthfully told the girl what had happened, everyone present would immediately realize that Bert had gone easy on her—and they might even assume she had some special connection with Bert.

But there was no such relationship, and Catherine didn’t want to stir up unnecessary gossip—she already had enough rumors circulating around her.

So, apologetically, she replied to the girl,

"Sorry... I was really nervous just now. I’ve completely forgotten what the boss even asked..."

Her answer was perfectly reasonable. Facing such a strong and imposing big boss, even the two senior male designers who had just finished their interviews had been intimidated, let alone a rookie like Catherine. Plus, she had already been feeling off before the interview started, so everyone naturally assumed she had truly been too nervous to remember anything.

The girl then smiled and asked,

"Is the big boss super handsome and cool?"

A classic fangirl expression, exactly like the ones Catherine had seen on Riley’s face.

Before Catherine could respond, a scoff came from beside her, dripping with disdain and mockery.

The laughter came from another interviewee, a woman named Amy.

Catherine remembered her because they had been in the same group for the initial interview. Amy had an imposing aura—her attire, her demeanor, and her manner of speaking all outshone the rookies. Catherine had heard she was a director at a well-known design company, a true career woman.

The first girl glared at Amy in displeasure,

"What are you laughing at?"

Amy crossed her arms, her eyes full of contempt.

"I’m laughing at you, silly little fangirl. No matter how cool or handsome the big boss is, he’s not someone a little girl like you can set her sights on."

The girl snapped back angrily,

"Just because I can’t set my sights on him doesn’t mean you can either! Don’t think I don’t know—you’re only here because of the big boss!"

There were six candidates in the final interview—three men and three women.