Weeks before the confrontation in the CEO's office...
The morning sunlight spilled over the Blackwood Corp building, blinding in its perfection. Evelyn Hart stood by the entrance, clutching her black folder as if it were her last defense against the world. Her reflection in the glass doors looked calm enough- white blouse neatly tucked, hair pulled into a simple bun- but her heart was pounding like it wanted out.
"Just breathe," she muttered to herself. "It's just an interview. You need this job."
The lobby smelled of polished marble and power. Every sound- heels clicking, phones ringing, voices murmuring- reminded her she didn't belong in this world of tailored suits and quiet arrogance. But she straightened her back anyway, walked to the front desk, and gave her name.
"Evelyn Hart, for secretary position under the executive department," she said, her tone steady despite the nerves.
The receptionist nodded. "Please wait over there. The director team will be with you shortly."
She sat, smoothing the crease in her skirt, and tried not to think about how long it had been since she'd been in a real office. Weeks of job hunting had left her drained, and this interview was her last shot before rent came due again.
Just as she reached for her phone, a commotion near the elevator made her glance up. A group of men in dark suits were stepping out, their presence immediately commanding attention. At the center of them - calm, tall, and devastatingly familiar- was Liam Blackwood.
Her breath hitched.
He looked colder than she remembered. Broader shoulders. Sharper features. Confidence that filled every inch of space around him. He was talking to two directors and his assistant, Ryan, but his gaze flicked briefly toward her- and paused.
Evelyn froze.
Their eyes met for the first time in years. Her throat went dry.
He said nothing. Neither did she.
But when he passed by, Ryan gave a curious glance in her direction, then leaned in to whisper something to him. Liam's expression didn't change, though his hand stilled slightly at his side.
A few minutes later, the directors called her into the interview room, Evelyn didn't know that her fate had already been decided.
The interview went smoothly at first- basic questions, polite smiles- but she could tell their interest was faint. Her resume was good, not exceptional. When she left the room, she sighed, already accepting defeat.
By the time she got home that evening, she was ready to forget about it completely- until her phone buzzed with an email.
"Congratulations, Miss Evelyn Hart. You have been selected as the new secretary under the CEO's office. Please report to duty in two days."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "The CEO's office?" she whispered. "But... I never met him."
In another part of the city, inside his penthouse suite, Liam Blackwood closed his laptop after signing the approval note on her file.
"Sir," Ryan said cautiously, standing nearby. "You personally requested this applicant to be transferred under your office. Should I ask the HR department to-?"
"Just make sure she's there by Monday morning," Liam interrupted, his tone cool.
Ryan hesitated. "Understood sir."
When the assistant left, Liam leaned back in his chair, eyes dark and unreadable.
"Evelyn Hart," he murmured under his breath. "You really thought you could walk back into my city unnoticed?"