Vacation (FL) interview questions

The interview was fine, but Vacation expected applicants to start the process by contributing three writing samples based on three images they shared in the job ad (images in the style of what they publish on social media). I saw this as a challenge I could meet. I worked hard to match their unusual comedic style and was excited to get an interview! They said (claimed?) they really liked my work. I had at least one more interview, maybe two, after the intro call. But that wasn't enough. Now they wanted three more samples and I foolishly obliged. They dangled the promise of a "paid assignment" afterwards in front of me. As soon as I submitted the next three, it was radio silence. They promised to be in touch in two days but ignored all of my emails until finally a week later I received a very generic, clearly automated message saying they had moved on. They tried to sugarcoat it with a little, "let us know if you're interested in freelance work, we'll be in touch in the future." But I knew they wouldn't be. I did a little digging and it appears they did not actually hire someone for the role -- and less than a year prior, they did the exact same thing.