Chapter 8

Evelyn

I arrived at Nowelle at exactly 8 a.m. Out of the four candidates who applied for the position of personal secretary, I was the one selected. I’m pretty sure my uncle had something to do with it—how, I don’t know.

I’d carefully chosen my outfit for the day: a tailored black blazer mini-dress that stopped two inches above my knees. On my feet were my favorite nude pumps—four inches high, perfectly shaping my legs.

Holding my head high, I stepped into the bustling lobby. Men and women in sharp corporate suits bustled about, immersed in their routines. I made my way to the receptionist’s desk.

“Hi. Good morning. What can I do for you?” the lady behind the counter smiled warmly.

“Good morning. I’m Evelyn Laprell, the new P.A. to Mr. Black. I was told to resume work today and meet with Mrs. Norma from the recruitment team.”

“Ah, yes. You’re to join the other interns in the boardroom on the third floor. You’ll receive your ID there.”

“Thanks.” I returned her smile and headed to the elevator.

Navigating to the boardroom wasn’t hard. As I stepped inside, all heads turned sharply in my direction. The attention almost made me shrink back, but I reminded myself why I was here. My uncle didn’t raise a coward—I was taught to walk into any room like I owned it. That’s how you earn respect.

“You must be Evelyn.”

I focused on the woman standing beside the chair at the head of the long table. She looked to be in her late thirties. Without needing to be told, I knew she was Mrs. Norma.

“Please, have a seat,” she said.

I nodded and took the nearest chair. Glancing around, I quickly gathered that most people in the room were interns, while the rest were new hires. One girl in particular caught my attention—I remembered seeing her at the charity ball. She hadn’t worn a mask that night, so I recognized her immediately.

“I welcome you all—interns and new employees—to Nowelle,” Mrs. Norma began. “We’re delighted to have you join our team. Your presence will contribute greatly to the company’s continued success. I’m Norma Viagrell, the Recruitment Manager.”

She proceeded to give us an overview of Nowelle’s policies, workplace regulations, and a brief history of the company.

Suddenly, the door opened and a sharply dressed man walked in, whispering something into her ear. Her face instantly lit up.

“Apologies for the interruption,” she said, turning back to us. “The CEO is on his way and would like to personally welcome you all.”

At the mention of “CEO,” my heart skipped a beat.

Xander.

I wasn’t expecting to see him yet. I knew we’d eventually meet, but not this soon. My pulse quickened, and a strange warmth crept through me. I hated the way he made me feel—unsteady, distracted. I reminded myself why I was here. This wasn’t about him. It was about revenge.

The door opened and closed quietly behind me. I didn’t have to look to know he was there. His presence was unmistakable—powerful, commanding.

Mrs. Norma’s face lit up even more. “Sir! What a surprise—we weren’t expecting you.”

“I thought I’d drop in to say hello,” came his voice—deep, thick, and smooth like dark honey.

I noticed the subtle shift in the room—everyone sat up a little straighter, alert and anticipatory.

I felt him move behind me, circling the room until he stood in front of us. And then, I saw him—and despite myself, I stared.

God, he looked even better than he had at the charity ball.

He stood with quiet confidence, the cut of his tailored suit hugging his broad shoulders and tapering down a sculpted frame. His jaw was clean-shaven, sharp. And those blue eyes—dark, unreadable—held something dangerous… and irresistible.

He scanned the room, pausing for a second on the girl from the charity ball, then moved on.

Then his gaze landed on me.

I inhaled sharply, locking eyes with him. He held my stare longer than necessary, and I wondered—did he recognize me?

I didn’t look away. Instead, I tilted my chin, subtly challenging him. The intensity in his eyes was at odds with the disinterest etched on his face.

And just like that, he broke the gaze—expression unreadable, dismissive. Like I didn’t matter.

Asshole.

“I’m Xander Black, CEO of Nowelle,” he said. “I officially welcome you all to the team. Whether you’re joining us as interns or full-time staff, you’re now part of a company that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and excellence. This journey will be intense, fast-paced, and rewarding. Learn everything you can, build meaningful relationships, and take pride in what you’re helping us build here. Welcome aboard.”

Applause erupted in the room. Mrs. Norma beamed at him with unrestrained admiration. So did most of the women in the room.

“I’ll take my leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you all,” he said, then turned and left without another glance in my direction.