Chapter 35 DI's Regularization Assessment
I sat down across from the HR leadership. The HR manager handling employee onboarding and departures spoke up. "Catherine, right? First, take a look at your internship evaluation. Any concerns?"
She pushed over an assessment form. I examined it carefully—everything from attendance records to specific project evaluations was documented. The notes section included detailed assessment criteria.
Final score: 95. Excellent.
"No concerns."
My anxious heart had barely settled when HR pushed over another document. "These are DI's new regulations for employee conversion this year."
While I flipped through it, she provided a brief explanation. "DI is a design firm. We need fresh blood, but we also need to stay attuned to public tastes. This evaluation will take the form of a competition. You'll have one month to prepare."
"During this month, your salary will be the midpoint between intern and regular employee rates. Any issues with that?"
I shook my head to show I understood.
HR continued. "The competition is open to the general public. After multiple rounds of screening, the top five finalists receive conversion opportunities plus substantial prize money."
That meant I'd be competing against thousands of people to stand out. Seemed pretty harsh.
Just as I was about to ask, HR explained further. "Don't worry. The top five I mentioned refers to intern rankings only. But if you place in the top five among both interns AND the overall competition, you'll not only convert to regular employee and receive prize money—you'll also get promoted three levels."
My eyes lit up. Suddenly I felt fired up with determination.
"Of course, you can also opt out of the evaluation now."
I smiled and waved my hand dismissively. "Such a great opportunity for growth? I doubt anyone would refuse."
HR nodded with satisfaction. "All the specific details are in this document. Take it back and review it carefully."
I signed a new temporary employment contract with them and excitedly returned to my desk with the documents.
The competition just required designing something and uploading it—no complicated procedures. I planned to spend this month gathering inspiration before creating my submission.
Suddenly, something occurred to me. Sabrina had studied design too, just like me. She'd even falsely accused me of stealing her designs before. Didn't she want to get into DI?
Then I'd give her that chance!
Since this competition was open to the public while also serving as an intern evaluation, the top 15% of award winners all had opportunities to join DI. But they'd have to start as interns.
And if they chose the DI employment option, they'd have to compete in a live design challenge against current interns for final rankings.
Most people were just in it for the prize money, so DI rarely actually recruited many designers this way. Plus, it provided another round of screening for intern capabilities.
With that in mind, I sent Sabrina the document and registration link directly, adding a provocative message.
"Sabrina, I'm really looking forward to working alongside you at DI."
Her response came quickly.
[Catherine, I won't lose to you this time.]
I raised an eyebrow, noncommittal. Did I not know exactly what Sabrina was capable of? If Michael got involved, maybe she'd actually have a shot at joining DI.
That evening after work, back at the apartment, after dinner with Nicholas, I couldn't wait to check on Sabrina's latest moves.
Melissa delivered, as always, sending fresh video footage. She never disappointed.
I hit play.
The Rosewood family house. Sabrina sat on the living room couch, idly scrolling through her phone. After receiving my message, she suddenly bolted upright.
Michael, beside her, jumped in alarm. "Sabby, what's wrong? Don't get worked up! Sit down, your body hasn't fully recovered yet. You can't handle stress."
Sabrina's condition flared up unpredictably. Normally she seemed fine—she just couldn't experience intense emotional swings or do strenuous work. No wonder Michael was nervous.
Knowing the full context, I found it hilarious. Sabrina's illness didn't require such desperate measures. She just needed medication during episodes, gradual treatment, and with James's research, they could eventually wait for surgical techniques to mature.
But they couldn't wait. To cure Sabrina faster, they'd even considered taking my heart. And I'd suffered endlessly for Sabrina's illness, only to be kicked out and die miserably on a winter street in the end.
Hatred surged through me. But my eyes remained glued to the two figures on screen.
Sabrina had just told Michael about DI's upcoming competition. But she didn't mention me at all. I didn't care what Sabrina did—as long as she registered.
Learning Sabrina still had a chance to work at DI, Michael was overjoyed. "Then what are you waiting for? Sabby, register now!"
Michael had previously confronted me at school over Sabrina's accusation about stolen designs. Afterward, Sabrina explained to him that she'd just been desperate to intern at DI and made a mistake in judgment. Michael believed her.
How did I know about this little side story? Jason had muttered it all while blocking me outside my building once. He'd been trying to speak well of Sabrina, telling me she hadn't meant to frame me intentionally.
I'd tuned him out completely at the time, but seeing them discuss it now brought it all back.
On screen, with Michael's approval, Sabrina had already opened her laptop to register. I watched her click confirm with my own eyes. Couldn't help smiling.
"Sabrina, you better make it all the way to the end!"
Only then could I openly defeat Sabrina in front of all four Rosewood brothers. Show them that a thief is always a thief. Extenuating circumstances? Just excuses.
Mission accomplished—I was about to stop watching when Michael's next words successfully held my attention.
"Sabby, don't worry. Painting and design go hand in hand. We'll work together—you'll definitely make the finals. Then I'll help you design some templates. This time we'll crush Catherine completely!"
Michael was supremely confident in his genius painter abilities. He'd completely forgotten all the online mockery and criticism he'd received.
I curled my lip in a cold smile. "These siblings really are useless, planning to win by cheating."
"Michael, you're good at painting, sure. But do you actually understand design?"
Too bad no one could hear me. On screen, hearing Michael would help her, Sabrina was beside herself with joy.
"Really, Mike?"
"Of course! Let's go to the studio right now. We'll sketch some drafts first, then refine them slowly."
At the mention of the studio, Sabrina's expression changed abruptly. She quickly blocked Michael from heading that direction.
"Hold on! I haven't even reviewed the specific requirements yet!"