Novel-novel oleh Gold Adesuwa

CHAPTER 7: The Lion's DenELIAS POVWhen she finally snapped back at me, I was actually speechless.She turned on her heel and marched out before I could even formulate a retort. The sharp clack-clack-clack of her heels on the marble floor sounded like a drumbeat of war, echoing against the glass walls of my office. I stared at the closed door, my chest tight with a mix of irritation and something I couldn't quite name."Go ahead, walk away," I muttered to the empty room. I was just waiting for her to trip up. One mistake, one late arrival, one dropped ball—that’s all I needed. Once she failed, I’d have all the ammunition I needed to tell my father his "experiment" was a disaster and get her out of my sight for good.ANNABELLE POVI stormed out of his office, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had exactly ten minutes to play his little game, and I didn't even know where the kitchen was."Excuse me," I panted, stopping a passing employee who looked far too calm for my current state

CHAPTER 6ANNABELLEThe alarm hadn’t even chirped yet, but my eyes snapped open at 6:30 sharp. My stomach did a nervous little flip—that "first day" adrenaline that feels half like a celebration and half like a heart attack."Good morning, Mom," I said, my voice still thick with sleep as she pushed the door open."Good morning, my love." She crossed the room, the scent of vanilla and laundry detergent following her. "I was coming to wake you, but I should have known. This job is going to be the making of you, Annabelle.""I hope so," I murmured, watching her head back downstairs to start breakfast.I took my time getting ready, a ritual to steady my nerves. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail so tight it felt like a facelift—sleek, professional, untouchable. I chose a deep purple shirt that made me feel powerful and a black pencil skirt that hit just above the knee. Then came the enemies: the black heels. They were gorgeous, but within minutes of buckling them, I could already feel

CHAPTER 5: EligibleELIAS POVThe air in the room turned frigid the moment our eyes locked. Of all the people in this city of millions, of all the desperate graduates clawing for a seat at Sterling Global, it had to be her. The girl with the coffee-stained temper and the sharpest tongue I had ever encountered.“You… what are you doing here?” I demanded. The shock made my voice grate like gravel.She didn't shrink. She didn't tremble like the girl in the "club dress" had. Instead, she squared her shoulders, her eyes sparking with that same fire I’d seen in the lobby. “You? What are you doing here?”The audacity. It was breathtaking. “I asked first,” I snapped, leaning forward until the shadows of the desk swallowed the space between us. “Answer me now.”“Don’t you know what’s happening here today?” she countered, a mock-sweet smile touching her lips. “Or are you blind? It’s an interview. I’m here for a job. Though, if I’d known the 'nobody' from this morning was the one conducting it,

CHAPTER 4: Not EligibleInside the glass-walled sanctuary of the executive suite, the air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and old money. The candidate in the "club dress" stood trembling, her mascara beginning to smudge as the weight of the rejection hit her.“But… we haven’t even started the formal interview yet!” she stammered, her voice cracking as she teetered on her five-inch heels.Elias Sterling leaned back in his leather chair, the navy fabric of his suit catching the light. He looked at her not with pity, but with a bored, icy detachment. “The interview began the moment you stepped into this building,” he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. “In this company, we value discretion, professionalism, and intellect. You, however, look like you’re waiting for a DJ to drop the beat.”He paused, a cruel, mocking chuckle escaping his lips. “Next time you try to infiltrate a corporate headquarters, wear a suit. This isn't a VIP lounge, and I am certainly not your pr

CHAPTER 3: TroubleAnnabel’s POV“I graduated from Sunnyside University,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.The silence that followed lasted only a second before it was shattered by a loud, mocking laugh. I felt my face heat up, wishing the floor would just open up and swallow me whole.“Sunnyside?” the lady in the green suit shrieked, clutching her designer bag. “With the way you’re dressed, I thought you at least went somewhere prestigious. I was expecting Stanford, or at least Panview!” She looked around at the others, grinning. “I guess they’ll let anyone off the street interview here these days.”I bit my lip, blinking back tears. Why me? Why today?“Why are you laughing?” a calm, steady voice interrupted.I looked up. A woman sitting a few seats away was staring at the girl in green with a look of pure unimpressed boredom.“Not everyone has the same circumstances,” the stranger continued, her voice cutting through the giggles. “Some people actually have to work for what they ha

Chapter 2 - A Little FightAnnabelle POV “Who gave you the right to talk back to me?” he asked, his expression dark with fury.“I have every right to talk to you! What, are you a celebrity or the boss of this place?” I snapped. “You’re clearly drunk. Who do you even think you are?”I glanced around. A crowd of passersby had already gathered. I could see the people following the stranger—they looked absolutely frozen, shock written all over their faces.“You want to know who I am?” he repeated, his voice dropping to a dangerous low.“Yes, of course! Who are you?”“You really want to know?”“Nonsense,” I scoffed. “You’re nobody. Read my lips: YOU ARE NOBODY. Get that through your thick skull, you arrogant jerk!”I wanted to keep going, but the sudden realization of my interview hit me like a cold bucket of water. I came back to my senses. I didn't have time for this. To make my point, I purposely bumped into his shoulder as I pushed past him toward the entrance.How did I just do tha