Chapter 130
Chapter 130:
Dominick was floored.
If Alden’s wife wasn’t Emily, then why was he here watching Helena’s livestreamed interview?
His mind swirled with questions, the pieces refusing to align. Before he could voice his confusion, Alden raised a hand. “Quiet,” he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
“But I don’t understand—” Dominick began.
“Watch the screen.” Alden’s voice dropped to a whisper, his attention already fixed forward.
Dominick shifted his gaze and realized Helena had taken the stage, her presence immediately commanding the room.
The interview unfolded in two distinct segments: first, a conversational interview portion, followed by a live news reading.
During the conversational interview segment, Helena faced a colleague playing a fictional interviewee, a challenge designed to assess her adaptability and instinct for uncovering meaningful narratives.
She navigated the exchange masterfully, extracting newsworthy details without ever crossing into uncomfortable territory, her questions probing yet respectful.
Her diction resonated with clarity, her reasoning flowed effortlessly, and every subtle movement embodied journalistic excellence. Alden observed his wife on screen with unwavering attention, his lips curving into an unconscious smile while pride illuminated his eyes. Meanwhile, Lucas, present at the interview, couldn’t hide his impressed expression.
This visible admiration sparked unmistakable irritation in Betsey, who sat nearby, her shoulders tensing.
The interview soon transitioned to the news reading segment. Scripts were distributed on the spot—an anti-cheating measure that ensured authentic assessment.
To thoroughly test each candidate’s skill, the scripts deliberately contained dry content and obscure terminology.
The challenge lay in whether the anchor could infuse vitality into mundane material, engaging viewers through tone, expression, and natural charisma.
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Betsey handled script distribution.
As she handed Helena’s script over, a flash of calculated malice crossed her features, gone as quickly as it appeared.
The script focused on support services for the deaf and nonverbal communities.
Helena accepted it with composed professionalism, turned toward the camera, and began reading with perfect articulation.
Her voice carried genuine compassion rather than condescending sympathy, drawing listeners into the narrative.
Midway through, Helena smoothly turned the page.
Then—
Her eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, and her voice paused for the briefest moment.
Live reading standards were unforgiving—any pause exceeding three seconds constituted a broadcast failure.
The director’s brow furrowed as he reminded Helena of her remaining ninety seconds, urging uninterrupted delivery.
Betsey’s lips curled with anticipation, savoring Helena’s impending humiliation.
But then…
“The world of the deaf and nonverbal individuals is silent, but their hands can weave stories of love, and their eyes radiate warmth that transcends speech. In our shared human experience, they stand as equals, never outsiders p>
Helena abandoned the script entirely. Facing the camera with genuine tenderness, she conveyed heartfelt solidarity with the deaf and nonverbal communities.
Throughout her improvised broadcast, her gaze remained steady on the camera lens, though Alden’s image filled her thoughts.
She spoke eloquently about the daily challenges faced by those without hearing or speech, their resilience against adversity, and their fundamental desires and aspirations.
Alden watched intently, his gaze seeming to penetrate the screen and connect directly with Helena’s compassionate eyes.
Two minutes later, the interview concluded.
A moment of profound silence hung in the air before the room erupted with applause.
Lucas, recalling Helena’s momentary hesitation, approached her curiously. “Ms. Ellis, might I examine your script?” he inquired.
Betsey’s pulse quickened anxiously.
Helena cast a cool glance toward Betsey before gracefully handing her script to Lucas.
He scanned the pages and discovered the second half was completely blank. Without creating a scene, Lucas simply offered Helena an appreciative nod. “Remarkable work. Ms. Ellis, your professional capabilities exceed our news anchor requirements. Congratulations on passing the interview p>
Helena acknowledged Lucas’s praise with dignified gratitude. Meanwhile, watching the livestream, Dominick and Tessa could barely contain their excitement.
Dominick, momentarily forgetting himself, instinctively raised his hand for a high-five with Alden before freezing at the sight of the man’s stern countenance. He awkwardly lowered his arm, reality crashing back.
Alden regarded Dominick with a look that suggested he was dealing with someone hopelessly oblivious.
With Helena’s successful interview, Alden’s satisfaction was palpable. As the livestream ended, he rose and departed with measured, confident strides, his composure unshakable.
The day ended triumphantly for nearly everyone—except Betsey, who seethed with thwarted ambition.
“Impossible!” she hissed through clenched teeth. “Helena should have been trapped in traffic. How did she manage to return in time?
Unless…” Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “She neglected her responsibilities and never attended the flower exhibition at all p>