Chapter 8

The Interview

Emilia 

I woke up earlier than usual that morning and for a few seconds, I stared at the motel ceiling and tried to calm my breathing. Today mattered so much as this  interview could decide whether I kept moving forward or sank deeper into the mess my life had become.

I sat up slowly and looked at the clothes hanging on the back of the chair. I had spent almost an hour the night before choosing what to wear. It felt strange worrying about looking too expensive. A few months ago, I never had to think about things like that.

I picked up the white blouse first. It was simple and soft, nothing flashy. Then I paired it with a dark gray skirt that stopped just below my knees. The fabric looked professional but not luxurious. I avoided my better clothes on purpose.

I stood in front of the small mirror near the door and studied myself.

“Too polished,” I muttered.

I removed the gold bracelet I used to wear daily and placed it on the table. Then I switched my heels for a more modest pair. When I finished, I finally looked like someone applying for a normal job, and not the wife of a billionaire.

My gaze shifted to my hair and I sighed.

I hated tying my hair. I always preferred it loose. But I grabbed the brush and gathered it into a ponytail. It made me look younger and less intimidating.

“Energetic,” I told my reflection. “Approachable.”

I forced a small smile.

“Please work today,” I whispered.

A few minutes later, I was in a taxi heading toward the company. The driver played soft music on the radio while I stared out the window.

My hands rested on my lap, gripping my folder tightly.

What if they rejected me again?

What if they said the same thing everyone else said?

Overqualified.

The word haunted me now as I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes briefly.

“If this doesn’t work,” I murmured to myself, “maybe I should just take Maddy up on her offer.”

The thought made me laugh quietly.

“I’d be terrible at it,” I added.

Still, the joke didn’t completely hide the fear in my chest.

The taxi stopped fifteen minutes later. “We’re here,” the driver said.

I stepped out and looked up at the building. My breath caught slightly.

The structure stood tall with shining glass windows and clean steel edges. It looked modern and powerful. I had worked with companies like this before, but standing here now felt different.

This time, I wasn’t representing Julian’s empire.

I was just Emilia.

“This place is big,” I whispered.

Bigger than the other offices I had visited in the past weeks and something about it gave me hope.

I straightened my skirt and walked inside.

The lobby was bright and spacious. Employees moved quickly across the polished floor, holding tablets and folders. The air smelled like fresh coffee and printer ink.

I approached the reception desk.

The young woman behind it smiled politely. “Good morning. How can I help you?”

“Good morning,” I said. “I’m here for an interview. Emilia Moretti.”

She typed on her computer for a moment.

“Yes, Ms. Moretti. You’re scheduled for ten o’clock.”

“That’s right.”

“Please have a seat. The hiring manager will call you shortly.”

“Thank you.”

I sat in the waiting area and folded my hands together as my heart started beating faster.

This place looked professional and stable. It didn’t feel like the smaller firms that had turned me away immediately. This company seemed strong enough to hire someone like me without worrying about my experience.

Maybe this time would be different. And just maybe, they would see my skills instead of my past.

“Ms. Moretti?”

I looked up as a man in his late forties stood near the hallway entrance.

“That’s me,” I said quickly, standing up.

“Please come with me.”

I followed him into his office. The room was large with shelves filled with files and business books. He gestured for me to sit.

“I’m Daniel Harper, head of recruitment,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied.

“Let’s begin.”

The interview started immediately.

He asked about my education, previous roles and my experience in managing teams and handling clients.

I answered every question clearly. The conversation grew deeper and more technical. We discussed strategy, leadership decisions, and financial planning.

Time passed quickly. And at one point he leaned back in his chair and looked at me carefully.

“You’ve handled large-scale operations before?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Several.”

“And you personally led those negotiations?”

“Yes.”

He nodded slowly.

The questions became harder, but I welcomed them. For the first time in weeks, I felt like myself again. Confident and capable.

When the session finally ended, he placed his pen down and studied me.

“You’re impressive, Ms. Moretti,” he said and my heart jumped.

“Thank you.”

“You have exactly the skill set we need here. Your experience is… quite remarkable.”

Hope rose in my chest.

“So,” I said carefully, “does that mean—”

His expression suddenly changed as the admiration faded, replaced by something else. Regret.

My stomach tightened.

Before he could speak, I leaned forward slightly.

“I know I might seem overqualified,” I said quickly. “But I’m willing to start anywhere. Even an entry-level role.”

He looked surprised.

“I don’t mind beginning from the bottom,” I continued. “I just need a chance.”

My voice lowered.

“I’m a nobody right now,” I admitted. “And I need this job.”

For a moment, silence filled the office. Then he sighed heavily.

“Ms. Moretti…” he said slowly. “If you truly were a nobody, I would hire you immediately.”

My chest tightened.

“With a skill set like yours,” he continued, “any company would benefit from having you. In fact, I might even take advantage of your situation.”

I frowned slightly. “I don’t understand.”

He folded his hands on the desk.

“The problem is,” he said quietly, “you are not a nobody.”

A chill ran through my body as he looked straight into my eyes as he spoke the next words slowly.

“Emilia Aldridge.”

My fingers curled slightly.

“Wife of Julian Aldridge.”

The room suddenly felt cold as he sighed again.

“We received clear instructions,” he said.

My heart sank.

“Orders,” he continued carefully, “not to hire you.”

I stared at him for a long moment. My fingers tightened around the edge of his desk and I felt the anger in my chest growing, but my voice still came out low.

“What do you mean he withdrew the case?” I asked.

He shifted in his chair and rubbed his forehead like he was already tired of the conversation.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

“Sorry?” I repeated. “That’s all you have to say? Sorry?”

He sighed and leaned back.

“You know how powerful Julian is.”

My chest rose and fell quickly. I felt something sharp pressing against my throat.

He looked at me with helpless eyes.

“Our boss owes him a favor,” he said slowly. “A big one. Something from years ago. When Julian asked him … there was nothing he could do.”

My hands started shaking.

“That’s against the law,” I said, my voice breaking.

Tears gathered at the tips of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“It is,” he admitted. “But some people live above the law.”

I let out a small laugh, but it sounded empty.

“So that’s it?” I asked. 

He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something else.

“You should go back to Julian,” he started carefully. “Maybe if you just talk to him—”

“Stop.”

My voice cut through the room like a knife. I grabbed my bag from the chair beside me.

“Do not finish that sentence,” I said coldly.

He watched me stand, his face full of worry.

“Lumi—”

“I will never go back to that man,” I said firmly.

My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.

“That devil can go to hell,” I continued angrily. “And may every single one of his ancestors follow him there.”

I turned and walked straight to the door.

My hands were shaking, my chest burning with rage. But I didn’t stop. Not for once.

I pushed the door open and stormed out of the office, still cursing Julian’s entire lineage under my breath.