Mrs. Harlow straightened a little, trying to recover. “Yes, of course. I’ve been in the final interview stages for the CEO position. I wasn’t expecting—”
“We know,” the man said.
“You’ve spent the last six months interviewing. Your background checked out. Your references were strong. You presented yourself as someone who values inclusion, compassion, and community.”
Mrs. Harlow nodded quickly. “Exactly. That’s why I—”
The man held up a hand, and she stopped talking.
My heart had started to beat faster. Something about this felt connected. I just didn’t know how yet.
The man opened the folder.
“Part of our final evaluation includes observing how candidates behave in their everyday environment. Not staged or rehearsed. Real.”
Mrs. Harlow’s face tightened.
“I don’t understand.”
The man pulled out his phone, tapped the screen once, then turned it toward her.
Even from where I stood, I could hear it.
