Chapter 9

‎As Edward was about to step out of the luxurious black limousine, a sudden ring of his phone halted his movement. His eyes shifted to the caller ID, and he saw that it was Anthonio, his loyal bodyguard. Without hesitation, Edward swiped the screen and answered the call, not bothering with pleasantries. He let the silence linger, waiting for Anthonio to speak first.

‎

‎"Sir," Anthonio's voice crackled through the phone with a professional tone, "the managers are waiting for you in the conference room." He paused for a moment, sensing the tension in the air, before adding, "They're expecting your arrival soon."

‎

‎Edward glanced at his wristwatch, the sleek silver band catching the faint glimmer of the morning sun. He could feel the weight of time pressing against him. His response came without emotion, his voice cool and controlled, a stark contrast to the warmth of the day. "Tell them I’ll be there in ten minutes."

‎

‎With that, Edward ended the call and slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket. His mind was already shifting gears. The day was about to get more complicated, but he was used to that. He opened the car door that Claire had left ajar for him, but before he stepped out, his eyes briefly scanned the empty street, the sound of the city bustling in the background. He closed the door with a soft click, a sound that always reminded him of finality.

‎

‎Turning back towards the limousine, he quickly made his way to the driver’s seat, his polished shoes clicking against the pavement. As he slid into the leather seat, he immediately started the engine. The deep hum of the luxury vehicle filled the air, and he felt the familiar power at his fingertips. The car glided smoothly through the streets as he made his way toward the company's building, his thoughts already on the upcoming meeting. He knew that once he entered that conference room, there would be no turning back.

‎

‎As the limousine pulled into the company's parking lot, Edward’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze focused ahead. The building loomed in front of him, a steel and glass monument to his success. He parked the car and took a moment, gathering his composure. This was his world, and he ruled it with an iron fist.

‎Meanwhile, Claire had already taken a moment to carefully clean her shoe, dusting off any specks of dirt before making her way toward the impressive glass building of the company. The sleek structure towered above, a testament to the power and influence that lay within its walls. She walked with purpose, her heels clicking rhythmically on the pavement as she approached the entrance, her heart pounding in anticipation of the interview ahead.

‎

‎As she stepped inside, the cool air of the lobby greeted her, and she approached the receptionist’s desk with an air of quiet confidence.

‎

‎“Hello, ma’am,” the receptionist greeted, her voice betraying a hint of curiosity as her eyes scanned Claire’s face. Claire’s beauty was almost ethereal, too perfect to be real, and the receptionist couldn’t help but stare for a moment longer than usual. It wasn’t often that someone with such striking features walked through the door. She quickly blinked, trying to mask her surprise, but it was clear that she was taken aback.

‎

‎“I’m here for the interview,” Claire replied calmly, meeting the receptionist’s gaze. She could feel the receptionist’s eyes lingering on her face, as though she were searching for some flaw, but Claire knew she had none. Her features were sharp and flawless, and her confidence spoke volumes.

‎

‎“Which position?” the receptionist asked, her voice betraying more curiosity than she meant to let show. Her eyes flicked from Claire’s face to the floor briefly before returning, clearly intrigued by the elegant, self-assured woman in front of her.

‎

‎“CEO assistant,” Claire answered, her tone steady, yet filled with a quiet intensity. She didn’t flinch or falter, even as she saw the receptionist’s eyebrows rise in surprise.

‎

‎The receptionist’s expression shifted to one of disbelief, her eyes widening ever so slightly. She hadn’t expected to hear that. Most people in the city knew the reputation of Bravo Corporation’s CEO, the infamous Mr. Smith, who was as demanding as he was ruthless. His cold, arrogant demeanor had created a legendary status, and anyone who even thought of working for him had to possess a certain... resilience.

‎

‎The receptionist’s gaze remained fixed on Claire, her face struggling to conceal her astonishment. “Ma’am, did you just say ‘CEO assistant’?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. She repeated the words almost as if she was confirming she hadn’t misheard. Everyone in the city knew that the position was not for the faint of heart, it was grueling, relentless, and filled with unspoken challenges. The idea of someone as poised and composed as Claire wanting that role seemed almost out of place.

‎

‎Claire wasn’t surprised by the receptionist's reaction, nor did she take offense. She had done her homework on Mr. Bravo and knew the kind of man he was demanding, arrogant, and ruthless, as the rumors suggested. But Claire wasn’t just anyone. She had prepared for this moment her whole life. She knew what she was walking into.

‎

‎“Yes, I’m sure,” Claire responded with a slight smile, her voice unwavering. There was no hesitation in her answer. She was ready for whatever came next.

‎

‎The receptionist blinked, trying to shake off her astonishment, and then motioned toward the elevator. “Okay… the CEO is the one interviewing you himself,” she said, her tone still laced with disbelief. She quickly regained her composure and gestured toward the elevators, her fingers pointing towards the bank of elevators at the far side of the lobby.

‎

‎Claire nodded, grateful for the receptionist’s directions. “Take the elevator to the 25th floor,” the receptionist instructed, “and break a leg.”

‎

‎The words, though cliché, were accompanied by a sincere wish for good luck. It was clear the receptionist was impressed by Claire’s calm confidence, even if she didn’t quite understand it. She smiled faintly, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that someone like Claire was about to face the most difficult person she could ever imagine.

‎

‎“Thanks, miss,” Claire said with a warm smile, her gratitude genuine as she gave the receptionist a nod. She turned on her heel and made her way toward the elevator, her steps purposeful and steady. The doors opened with a soft chime, and Claire stepped inside, her reflection briefly catching her eye in the polished metal. Her heart raced, but she refused to let it show. This was her moment, nothing was going to stop her now.