chapter 5

Adrian

The woman standing before me was beautiful, and I found that irritating.

I had no time to admire a woman's smooth skin, full curves, or the quiet elegance of her appearance. Yet my eyes kept returning to Sonia Lawrence, the candidate waiting nervously in front of my desk.

Unlike the women I had interviewed earlier, Sonia had dressed appropriately for a professional interview. The others had practically turned my office into a fashion show, revealing more cleavage than necessary and using every opportunity to flirt with me. Sonia, however, appeared genuinely interested in the job.

I shook my head, annoyed with myself. Perhaps I was overworking again.

I lifted my eyes to her face and said coldly, "Do you intend to stand there all day, or must I beg you to sit down?"

She startled and quickly pulled out the chair.

"I'm sorry, sir. I did not mean to keep you waiting," she replied, sitting down.

I opened her file. Sonia Lawrence, thirty-five years old. Her academic records were impressive, and her professional experience was even more interesting. She had worked on complex software systems and cybersecurity projects before leaving the industry several years ago.

Unfortunately, her employment gap concerned me.

"Your résumé shows that you worked for Bennett Innovations. Is that correct?" I asked.

"Yes, sir. I worked there for several years."

"What was your position?"

"I worked as a cybersecurity specialist and software systems developer. I also helped oversee some of the company's security infrastructure."

I raised my eyes from the file.

"That sounds like considerable responsibility. Why did you leave?"

She hesitated, and I noticed the sadness that briefly crossed her face.

"It is a long story, sir."

"I did not ask for the entire story. I asked why you left."

She lowered her gaze before answering.

"Bennett Innovations belonged to my ex-husband. We worked together for years, but our marriage ended, and I could no longer remain there."

I studied her expression. Whatever had happened between her and her former husband, it was clearly painful.

"Are you divorced?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I will not ask you to explain your personal affairs. I am interested in whether you can do the job."

She looked up quickly. "I can, sir. I know I have been away from the industry for some time, but I have not forgotten my skills. I am willing to prove myself."

"Everyone who sits in that chair claims to be capable. I am not interested in what you promise. I am interested in what you can deliver."

"I understand, sir."

I asked her several technical questions, testing her understanding of network security, vulnerability assessment, and incident response. She answered carefully, explaining her reasoning instead of throwing around impressive technical terms.

When I challenged one of her answers, she respectfully defended her position and explained why she had reached that conclusion.

For the first time that morning, I felt I might have found someone worth considering.

"Proceed to the final screening office down the corridor," I instructed. "You will be assessed alongside the other shortlisted candidates. Your performance will determine whether you get the position."

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Sterling. I will do my best."

"Do not thank me yet. You have not earned the job."

Her expression tightened, but she nodded.

"I understand, sir."

She stood, picked up her handbag, and left.

I watched the door close before returning my attention to the remaining files.

There was nothing special about her, I told myself. She was simply another candidate with promising qualifications.

Then why had I noticed her so much?

I dismissed the thought and called for the next applicant.

The woman who entered wore a tight designer dress and smiled at me as though we had arranged a private date.

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling. It is wonderful to finally meet you in person," she said, giving me a smile I had seen countless times before.

"Take a seat."

She sat down, crossed her legs, and leaned forward.

"I have heard so many wonderful things about you, sir. I must admit that you are even more handsome in person."

I opened her résumé.

"Tell me about your experience with cybersecurity."

She laughed softly. "I have always been interested in technology, but I believe the most important thing in any workplace is having a good relationship with the people in charge."

I looked at her. "That was not my question."

Her smile faltered. "I only meant that I am very adaptable, sir. I believe we could work very well together."

"Can you explain how you would investigate an unauthorized attempt to access a restricted server?"

She blinked several times before attempting an answer that contained no useful technical information.

I closed her file. "Your interview is over."

Her smile disappeared.

"Sir, perhaps I did not explain myself properly. I was hoping we could get to know each other better."

I stood up and looked at her with rage, making her slightly trembled.

"This is a professional interview, not a dating service. If you cannot demonstrate the qualifications required for the position, you have no reason to remain in my office."

Her face turned red. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling."

"You should be sorry that you wasted an opportunity other qualified people would have valued. Leave my office now before I call the securities to throw you out."

She quickly apologised and hurried out.

The next applicant was no better. She spent several minutes complimenting my appearance before asking whether I would attend a charity event that weekend.

When I questioned her technical knowledge, she could barely answer.

I dismissed her as well.

By the time the final candidates were ready for their assessment, my patience had nearly disappeared.

This was precisely why I disliked women throwing themselves at me. They saw my wealth, my influence, and my surname, then assumed that flirting would earn them a place in my life.

They believed I wanted a woman who smiled at everything I said and agreed with every decision I made.

They were mistaken.

I had built Sterling Technologies through discipline, calculated risks, and relentless work. I had no intention of allowing anyone to enter my life simply because they wanted access to my money.

My mother was already determined to choose my wife for me. She had been pushing Vanessa Laurent toward me for months, convinced that the daughter of a wealthy family would make the perfect Sterling bride.

I had rejected the idea repeatedly, but Mother refused to accept my decision.

The thought alone was enough to sour my mood.

I was reviewing the final screening schedule when my secretary, Marcus Hale, rushed into my office.

"Sir, there is a serious problem," he said, his face tense.

"What happened?" I looked up sharply.

"Someone is attempting to hack into our security network. Several internal systems have already shut down, and our technical team cannot identify the entry point."

What?!