The bus ride home felt longer than usual. Elena's mind replayed the moment her name had been called for the shortlist, the disbelief in her chest mixing with a quiet spark of hope. She had wanted to run straight to her mother and share the news, yet something inside her had held her back.
When she stepped into their small apartment, the familiar smell of fabric softener and her mother's cooking wrapped around her like a blanket. Jamie was sprawled on the floor with his books, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looked up.
"You're back," he said casually, though his curious eyes searched her face.
Elena managed a small smile. "Yes, I am. How's the studying?"
"Boring," he admitted with a shrug, before lowering his gaze back to his notes.
Her mother's voice floated from the kitchen. "Elena? Is that you?"
"Yes, Mum," Elena replied, her throat tightening as she set her bag down.
Jamie barely noticed her slipping past him, but Elena's steps slowed as she reached the kitchen door. She paused, her hand brushing against the wood, her heart thumping hard.
She couldn't keep it hidden any longer. Not from her mother.
---
Elena paced outside the small kitchen, twisting the hem of her dress between her fingers. Her mother's soft humming drifted through the door as she worked, needle and thread flashing in her hand.
Elena's chest tightened. She had kept her in the dark for too long. The interviews, the shortlisting—Agnes deserved to know.
"Mum," Elena said softly, stepping inside.
Agnes glanced up, smiling. "You look restless. What is it, dear?"
Elena swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "There's something I need to tell you. I… I applied for a job."
Agnes set the fabric aside slowly. "A job?"
"Yes. At Knight Holdings. They were looking for house staff, and—" Elena's voice faltered, but she pressed on. "I passed the first stage. I was shortlisted. That's where I've been going these past days."
For a moment, her mother said nothing. Then she sighed, her expression unreadable. "Elena, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I didn't want to worry you. Everything happened so fast. And… I wanted to be sure before saying anything." Elena clasped her hands. "But, Mum, this job could change everything. If I'm chosen, I'll be able to pay Jamie's fees, help you with the shop—"
Agnes's gaze softened, though worry lingered. She reached out, brushing a hand against her daughter's cheek. "You carry so much on your shoulders. Just promise me, Elena, that you won't lose yourself in the process."
Elena nodded, her chest tight with emotion. "I promise."
The next morning, the shortlisted candidates were summoned back to Knight Holdings. Elena's stomach twisted the entire bus ride there. Her mother had been hopeful, her brother Jamie had squeezed her hand with excitement, but inside, she feared this was the part where she would be cut off for good.
When she stepped into the conference room, the atmosphere was different from before. Only a handful of chairs were arranged around a polished table, and the faces she recognized were already there.
Clara Benson looked up first, smiling warmly. "Elena, right? Congratulations yesterday."
Elena blinked, taken aback by the friendliness, then smiled back. "Thank you. Congratulations to you too."
Daniel Hughes gave her a small nod from his seat, already flipping through the file they had been given. Rachel Myers, however, looked away deliberately, her lips tight. Olivia Grant sat with perfect posture, her expression unreadable, as though she couldn't be bothered to notice anyone.
A hush fell as the door opened. The same woman in navy—the one who had called out their names—entered. She placed a folder on the desk, her sharp gaze sweeping over them.
"First of all, congratulations. Out of dozens, you five have been selected to move forward. But let me be clear—this is not the end. This is only the beginning. Knight Holdings does not tolerate mediocrity, and neither does your potential employer."
Her words pressed down on Elena like a weight. Potential employer. She still hadn't seen his face, but the way they spoke of him carried a certain fear.
The woman continued, "Your task is simple. You will undergo a trial period, working under strict observation. Your discipline, loyalty, and discretion will be tested. Those who prove themselves will be considered for the final appointment."
Rachel smirked faintly, as if already certain of her victory. Clara, on the other hand, sat straighter, her determination clear.
Then came the shock.
"However," the woman said, flipping open the folder, "the trial will not take place here. You will report directly to the Knight residence this weekend. You will live there for one week under supervision."
Elena's heart lurched. Live there? In a billionaire's mansion?
Her mind raced with questions, but she kept her face calm, unwilling to show weakness.
"The car will pick you up on Saturday morning. Until then, prepare yourselves. That is all."
She gathered her papers, leaving the room as swiftly as she had entered.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Finally, Clara exhaled. "Living in the Knight residence… can you imagine?"
Rachel gave a cold laugh. "Some people will be out of place there." Her eyes flicked, not subtly, toward Elena.
Heat crept up Elena's neck, but before she could respond, Daniel said evenly, "We're all being tested, Rachel. None of us are safe yet."
Olivia remained silent, her gaze fixed ahead like she was already calculating her strategy.
Elena sat quietly, her thoughts a storm. She hadn't expected this. One week inside Adrian Knight's world… could she really survive it?
She wrapped her fingers together tightly. She had to.
For Jamie. For her mother. For herself.
Whatever awaited in that mansion, she would face it.