Chapter 173: Challenge Accepted!!!
Mr. Raghavan believed that forcibly separating Riya from this security guard might worsen their already problematic father-daughter relationship.
The situation could backfire beyond control and make everything worse than it already was.
After careful observation and extensive conversation he had to acknowledge that the young man standing before him was not entirely without merit.
He possessed appearance and charisma worth recognizing.
He possessed bearing and presence worth noting.
His speech remained neither humble nor arrogant in any circumstance.
Besides the security guard profession which admittedly lacked substantial earning potential compared to all the other professions all other personal qualities of him were acceptable.
Why not give him a genuine chance to prove himself worthy of his daughter?
Mr. Raghavan at once made up his mind. To look sincere he changed his tone dramatically.
He spoke calmly to Alex.
"Since you demonstrate such persistence then do not claim I refused to give you any opportunity.
Here is what I propose. I will grant you a trial probationary period.
Alex you will work in one of my subsidiary companies. This represents a place for you to showcase your talents and abilities.
We shall see whether you possess genuine capability. If you successfully complete the probationary period I will no longer object to you and Riya together.
So what do you say? Will you agree to these terms or not?"
Alex raised an eyebrow with interest at the offer.
Oh?
Had Riya's domineering CEO-like father actually given him a chance?
This was genuinely interesting to see. After all his attempts to separate them he at last accepted the reality.
Although his father-in-law who controlled a multi-billion dollar empire was prone to changing his mind and employing one manipulative trick after another his behavior resembled putting on different masks.
But if Alex refused this opportunity then he would appear too cowardly and weak. He would lose face completely.
Alex had always possessed great confidence in his own abilities. Whether in ancient times or modern day he had never failed.
Therefore this challenge appealed to him greatly. It was almost amusing.
So he decided it. He would accept it!
When meeting wealthy powerful people the most important quality was refusing to be humble or servile. One needed to project absolute self-confidence. Show any weakness and they would devour you.
And not to mention that he had another practical plan in his mind.
He could simply hire a substitute to attend work in his place if necessary. The uniform's time manipulation would handle the rest. He had resources these people couldn't imagine.
Alex nodded firmly "No problem. I accept the challenge you have presented."
"Excellent!" Mr. Raghavan clapped his hands with satisfaction.
"I did not expect you to possess such confidence. In that case come for an interview at my subsidiary company tomorrow morning."
Alex paused in confusion.
An interview?
Another interview was required?
Wasn't the past few days interviews not enough for you?
Mr. Raghavan smiled with obvious pride.
"Do not doubt this requirement. Of course an interview is mandatory.
My company is not a charity organization. If you cannot even pass the standard interview and fail to secure the position it means you lack capability for the position.
Naturally you cannot be together with my daughter under those circumstances."
The logic was sound even if the intention was manipulative. Mr. Raghavan was creating obstacles deliberately.
"That is okay."
Alex nodded in agreement. He understood the game being played.
Riya had once discussed her father's background with him in detail during one of their late night conversations.
Mr. Raghavan had entered the workforce in his teenage years. Starting from absolutely nothing he had built his fortune through his own abilities and innovative methods. He had worked in factories, driven trucks, sold products door to door.
He had single-handedly constructed a multi-billion dollar empire from those humble beginnings.
Therefore he highly valued personal struggle and accomplishment. He disdained relying on fate or family connections to achieve success. Everything had to be earned. Merit above all else.
"I hope you maintain this same confidence when we meet next time."
Mr. Raghavan smiled knowingly.
He had not anticipated this development.
This young man also possessed fighting spirit and genuine backbone to dare to accept his challenge.
Looking at Alex he could already see himself in his youth when he had such energy and confidence. The resemblance was uncanny.
If Alex could genuinely pass his rigorous assessment Mr. Raghavan would not necessarily continue opposing his daughter's choice of boyfriend.
He himself had started from the bottom levels of society when he was young.
If Alex could pass that series of abnormally difficult tests it would demonstrate the young man possessed genuine capability!
Since that would be the case what harm existed in Riya being with this security guard? Perhaps the boy had hidden depths.
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The Interview Day
The following morning arrived with bright sunshine on the horizon.
Alex dressed himself in a modest suit and tie for work.
He arrived at the company designated by Mr. Raghavan for his scheduled interview on time.
In the corridor waiting area seated next to Alex was a highly educated graduate student who radiated supreme confidence in his abilities.
Mr. Raghavan's subsidiary company was genuinely remarkable to say the least.
It operated as a rapidly growing artificial intelligence company that had already secured funding from two prominent investors from abroad.
The company resembled a cash generating machine with extraordinarily strong growth momentum that showed no sign of stopping.
These emerging AI technology companies offered high salaries and excellent benefits.
As long as employees possessed ability and relevant skills they typically earned one hundred fifty thousand to three hundred thousand dollars annually. Some senior positions exceeded half a million.
Therefore recent university graduates especially top students who had studied abroad all desperately wanted to secure positions at these prestigious companies offering high compensation.
The graduate student seated next to Alex had made thoroughly exhaustive preparations before arriving for the interview today.
Not only had he taken a shower and gotten a professional haircut but he had also dressed specially and applied grooming products carefully. He had rehearsed answers to common interview questions for hours.
"They charged me one hundred twenty-five dollars for a haircut and styling," the graduate muttered grudgingly.
"Barbers in Mumbai are practically robbing people. It is not like my hometown where it barely cost three dollars for a stylish haircut."
The graduate student felt genuinely pained by this expense. But first impressions mattered in competitive interviews.
For this critical interview he had spared no effort or expense. He had even bought a new suit for two hundred dollars. His shirt was freshly pressed. His shoes were polished to a mirror shine.
The graduate looked around the hallway. He observed that the other competitors waiting were also refreshed and neat in appearance.
They must have made special efforts to present themselves well. Everyone understood the stakes.
However among all the assembled competitors whether considering appearance or natural charisma or height there stood one candidate who resembled a crane among chickens.
This exceptional competitor was standing directly next to him.
That man was none other than Alex himself!
The moment the graduate student named Karna laid eyes on him he felt immediate irritation rising in his chest.
Everyone else had dressed up carefully and presented themselves at their absolute best. They looked professional and polished.
Why was this particular person so extraordinarily special?
More handsome than Bollywood celebrities even? It was infuriating.
There was simply no avoiding it. Even though Alex deliberately tried maintaining a low profile by wearing a suit that cost merely a few hundred dollars his natural appearance and inherent charisma made even these inexpensive clothes look stylish and expensive. The fit seemed perfect somehow.
For other people clothing enhanced the person wearing it.
For Alex the person enhanced the clothing itself. He could wear rags and make them look fashionable. It defied logic.
Throughout the corridor whether they were fellow interviewees or company staff members anyone female would be unable to resist glancing at Alex multiple times.
Their eyes lingered appreciatively. Some whispered to each other.
This phenomenon resembled how men behaved when observing attractive women.
Only now the situation was completely reversed with Alex as the object of attention.
The graduate student Karna narrowed his eyes with calculation. He immediately regarded Alex as his biggest competitor and primary threat to his success.
To gather intelligence Karna smiled while asking Alex "Brother you possess not only tremendous charisma but also extraordinary handsomeness. I am simply curious which university you graduated from?"
Alex responded simply "Mumbai University."
"Oh I see."
Karna nodded while feeling a hint of disdain internally.
Although Mumbai University was certainly a prestigious institution and belonged to the top tier of respected universities it was famous throughout the country.
But compared to his own credentials they were vastly far apart!
He had graduated from Cambridge University abroad. The two universities existed on completely different levels entirely. One was international, the other merely national.
"What about your academic qualifications and degree level?"
"Bachelor's degree only."
Karna's expression flickered with barely concealed contempt.
This candidate only possessed an undergraduate bachelor's degree? How the hell was he here?
Did he not know unless you had a master's degree you could not even apply for jobs here? The minimum requirement was clearly stated on the website.
Karna himself held a master's postgraduate degree. A postgraduate degree from studying abroad no less it is Cambridge University after all.
His confidence surged once again. This handsome fool had no chance it seems.
Looks meant nothing without credentials to back it up.
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