Chapter 2: The Interview

Trust is earned, even when survival is at stake.

Two weeks later

Sophia

I’m nervous. Blackwood Enterprises is nothing like I imagined. It’s more than that.

The building towers over the city like it owns it. Sleek black glass panels reflect the morning sun, blinding and cold—just like the reputation of the man who runs it.

My palms are damp, and my lips feel dry from constant licking.

I force myself to find composure. Two months. That’s all I have.

I inhale deeply, adjust the strap of my bag, and step through the revolving doors, forcing my breathing to slow. The lobby is vast—polished marble floors, lush furniture, quiet voices echoing softly. Everything about this place screams power. Precision. Control.

The sharp click of heels echoes across the bright space. Employees in expensive corporate attire move with purpose. Everyone seems to belong here.

I don’t. But I have to.

I approach the receptionist, who greets me with a warm smile.

“Good morning. How can I help you?”

“I’m here for the secretary interview,” I say.

“Name?”

“Sophia Ward.”

She types something into her computer, nods, and hands me a visitor’s badge.

“Thirty-second floor. Elevator to your right. Mr. Blackwood will see you shortly.”

Mr. Blackwood. The CEO. The man I’m supposed to deceive.

I thank her and walk to the elevator. I press thirty-two and stand still.

The ride feels suffocating. My reflection stares back at me in the mirrored walls—pale, tired eyes and carefully arranged confidence. I don’t look like someone with ulterior motives. Good.

When the doors open, the atmosphere changes. Plush carpet. Modern art. Fewer employees. More security. More silence.

Before I can take it all in, a tall man in a dark suit approaches.

“Ms. Ward?”

“Yes.”

“This way.”

He leads me down a hallway lined with frosted glass offices and stops at a large wooden door.

Mr. Blackwood

CEO

He knocks once.

“Enter,” a deep voice says from inside.

My heart stumbles. I’m not ready for this.

The assistant opens the door and gestures for me to step in.

The office is spacious but minimal—dark wood desk, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Power radiates from the room, but I don’t allow myself to stare. I straighten my spine and arrange my features into a professional smile.

He sits behind the desk.

Desmond Blackwood.

He isn’t what I expect.

There’s no cold glare. No calculating stare.

Because his eyes aren’t focused on me at all. They’re still. Distant. A white cane rests neatly against his desk.

My breath catches. He’s blind.

“Have a seat, Ms. Ward,” he says calmly. His voice is smooth, controlled, intelligent.

How do I not know this? My research focused on getting the job—not the man himself.

I walk toward a translucent brown envelope carelessly placed on the seat opposite him and sit beside it, careful not to disrupt anything.

After sitting carefully, he tilts his head slightly, as if listening beyond ordinary sound.

“I’ve read your résumé.”

My stomach tightens. Parts of it are true. Parts are polished lies, carefully planted exaggerations.

“I see you’ve had prior administrative experience.”

“Yes, sir,” I answer too quickly.

He hums softly, unconvinced but not dismissive.

“Hmm, but is your experience enough to handle this enterprise? You know Blackwood acquired the Preston site in 2021,” he says almost braggingly. “An impossibility for most companies, but we achieved it.”

My brows furrow in confusion, recalling the details vividly.

“I believe the acquisition was finalized in late 2020, sir,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

“Are you saying I’m wrong?” he asks, genuinely confused but still in control.

“No, what I’m saying is you might be mistaken,” I say, hoping this won’t cost me anything.

“Hmm, well then…” He drops the topic. I gently sigh in relief.

“So, tell me—why do you want to work here?”

Because a criminal threatens my family. Because I have no choice. Because I need you to sign something that could ruin you.

“I admire the company,” I say instead, steadying my voice. “Blackwood Enterprises has a reputation for integrity and innovation. I want to be part of something meaningful.”

The words leave too smoothly. Rehearsed.

Silence stretches.

“Now tell me the real reason,” he says, his tone sharpening slightly.

I almost confess.

“I believe it would be an honor to work here,” I say carefully. “I want to be part of something significant.”

He leans back.

“Most applicants talk about salary first,” he says. “You didn’t.”

“I’m more interested in opportunity.”

His lips curve faintly.

“You’re nervous.”

It isn’t a question.

“It’s a big opportunity,” I reply.

“That’s not what I mean.”

His fingers tap lightly against the desk.

“I can hear it in your breathing. Your heartbeat. It speeds up when you answer.”

Ice floods my veins. He can hear that? The kidnapper’s voice echoes in my head. He’s smart. Reads everything.

“Interviews make me anxious,” I admit. That part is true.

He nods once. That’s when I notice the translucent brown package—cash, just sitting quietly beside me within reach. Something feels off.

“Sir, there’s an envelope here. I believe it may have been left behind.”

“No, there isn’t. It’s in my cupboard.”

“No, actually it’s right here beside me,” I say, placing it in front of him.

“Honesty,” he says quietly. That word settles heavily in my chest.

But something clicks: this is a test.

“Working for me isn’t easy,” he continues. “I require precision. Loyalty. Discretion. My last secretary failed to meet those standards.”

Just like the kidnapper said.

“I understand.”

“Do you?” His tone sharpens. “Because once you work here, you represent me. There are no second chances.”

My throat tightens.

“I won’t disappoint you.”

“Stand.”

With confusion, I obey. He rises smoothly, gripping his cane with practiced ease. He walks around the desk without hesitation and stops directly in front of me. Too close.

There’s a faint scar near his temple. Tension in his jaw. He isn’t weak. He isn’t fragile. He is powerful—even without sight.

“You’re hiding something, Ms. Ward.”

My blood runs cold.

“I’m not.”

He tilts his head, listening. Silence becomes unbearable.

Then—

“Good.”

My thoughts stall.

“What?”

“If you were completely transparent in an interview, I’d be concerned. Everyone hides something.”

Relief nearly weakens my knees.

“You’re hired.”

I can’t believe it, my mouth gaping like a fish out of water. My mission begins.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he continues calmly. “This feels too easy.”

It does.

“But people with nothing to lose are reckless. People with something at stake are predictable. I prefer predictable.”

My stomach twists.

“You start Monday. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t.”

“Jeffrey will give you the details. You may leave.”

I turn toward the door.

“One more thing.”

I freeze.

“If you plan to do anything behind my back,” he says evenly, “I will find out.”

The words are quiet. They don’t need to be loud.

I step out of the office feeling like I’ve signed my own death sentence.

Two months. Gain his trust. Make him sign the contract. Betray a man who might be the only innocent one in this mess.

What have I done?

My phone vibrates in my purse. I already know who it is.

Adrian Vale.

The kidnapper.