Chapter 166: Sunlight Streamed Through the Glass Windows

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, scattering golden flecks across the hallway. Clara Whitmore stepped out of the examination room, her shoes tapping against the illuminated floor tiles.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Sloane Bennett: "Waiting at our usual spot."

Clara opened the ride-hailing app, her fingers dancing lightly across the screen.

"Clara?" A familiar female voice called from behind.

Victoria Holloway stood there in a beige trench coat, clutching a document folder. She'd come early to scope out the interview location, never expecting to run into Clara.

"Finished your interview already?" Victoria's gaze swept over her.

"Yes."

"What was your written exam score?"

"412."

Victoria's pupils contracted. Her voice rose sharply. "You're the top scorer in our field?!"

Clara blinked. "I didn't check the rankings."

"Stop pretending to be above it all." Victoria sneered. "Flashing your results in my face on purpose?"

Clara couldn't be bothered to explain. Since breaking up with Grant Holloway, his family meant nothing to her.

"I need to go."

"Wait!" Victoria suddenly blocked her path. "Were the interview questions difficult? What did they ask?"

Clara arched an eyebrow. "Are you asking me to leak the questions?"

"Don't make it sound so crude." Victoria lowered her voice. "Consider it... sharing experiences."

"Each candidate gets different questions." Clara met her gaze directly. "Besides, we're competitors."

Victoria's face stiffened.

The Clara she remembered was that foolish woman who'd bend over backward to please her brother. But this Clara had sharp eyes and an unyielding posture—like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Victoria suddenly recalled her brother murmuring Clara's name during his hospitalization. Seeing Clara now, radiant and confident, an inexplicable fury rose in her chest.

"You've changed." Victoria ground her teeth.

Clara smiled faintly. "People grow up."

She turned to leave, her back straight as bamboo. Sunlight danced across her shoulders, gilding her silhouette.

Victoria stared at the retreating figure, her nails digging deep into her palms.