Caleb actually wished his grandfather was right—that he had recommended Skylar just to impress her. But the truth was, Skylar really was talented.
She wasn’t just skilled in antique restoration; she was also exceptional at authentication. She could instantly spot a fake or poorly made item with just a glance. Caleb was convinced that if Alexander still judged a person’s capability based on age and formal experience, then he must be getting old.
Meanwhile, Skylar quietly pushed open the workroom door and stepped inside.
She liked working in silence. Once she started, she preferred not to be disturbed and needed full concentration. The rejection from Alexander’s team didn’t linger in her mind. She had only felt a twinge of disappointment when she first saw the message, but it had already passed.
Seeing how quickly Skylar immersed herself in her work, Caleb grew frustrated. He furiously texted his grandfather: “I’m going to get a DNA test. I don’t think you’re my grandpa.”
Alexander shot back: “You should get a DNA test with your dad when you’re free. I’ve suspected for a long time that you’re not his son.”
Caleb nearly crushed his phone. He stared at the screen in disbelief, thinking that he must’ve done something terrible in a past life to end up with a grandfather like Alexander.
Back at the interview hall, Alexander had just put down his phone and turned his attention to the candidates before him.
He had insisted on conducting the interviews personally. The applicants had considerable experience in antique authentication, but his team had rigorous standards. The selection process would take hours, and anyone not up to par wouldn’t dare face him, let alone pass.
The interview was divided into multiple stages, each more demanding than the last.
Although Alexander often scolded Caleb, he actually cared about him. The problem was Caleb lacked reliability. Most of his friends were thrill-seekers who thought too highly of themselves. Some barely made it through college yet acted like experts simply because they had picked up a few skills.
Caleb, still naïve and inexperienced, tended to trust people too easily.
Alexander often sighed at the younger generation. Unlike his own, they lacked discipline. Most hadn’t developed true abilities but acted like they knew everything. It was frustrating.
Once Caleb’s phone went silent, Alexander returned his full attention to the interviews. He scrutinized each candidate with a discerning gaze. Though they were among the best in their field, none of them truly satisfied him. Young people today simply didn’t want to endure hardship.
Elsewhere, in a research lab, Kenny tapped a command into the computer. He stared as the robotic arm on the test platform jerked violently before crashing to the floor, splitting in two.
This was his 300th test attempt in the past two days—and yet another failure.
Frustration boiled within him. “Was the data in Steven’s thesis all just made up?” he muttered under his breath. Did that guy set me up on purpose?
Back in college, he and Steven had always been rivals. Kenny looked down on Steven, thinking he was too arrogant for someone from a humble background. He had always acted like a top student from a prestigious family, even though he came from the countryside.
Still, Steven consistently outperformed him in academics.
Kenny’s family, on the other hand, had status and resources—enough to fund his education and open doors for his career. He never thought someone like Steven would end up working at the same tech company as him, especially one known as the most advanced in the country.
But here they were, both at the top-tier research facility.
His mind drifted to Skylar and how coldly she had treated him. He was convinced Steven must have turned her against him.
Fuming, Kenny stormed out of the lab and made his way straight to Steven.
Steven was focused on data analysis when, out of nowhere, a sharp pain shot through his cheek. He looked up, stunned, as Kenny stood there, rage blazing in his eyes.
“You told Skylar to find a sugar daddy just to embarrass the Williams family, didn’t you?!” Kenny accused, seething.
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