The panel of interviewers sat in a polished conference room, their expressions cool,
professional. Elena kept her voice steady as she answered each question, her passion for investigative work spilling through despite her nerves.
She had been warned about how cutthroat the company was, how demanding the CEO
could be. But she had also heard the pay was worth every sleepless night, and the
experience could launch her career to heights she only dreamed of.
Halfway through, the door opened.
Her breath hitched.
Alexander Cole walked in, exuding the kind of authority that didn't need announcing.
The other interviewers rose slightly,
murmuring greetings. Elena stayed seated, because if she stood, her knees might betray her.
He glanced at her file, then at her. ―Ms. Hart, is it?
Yes, sir. She hated how small her voice sounded.
He studied her for a long moment. The kind of look that peeled back layers, sharp and
probing. Elena lifted her chin. She refused to shrink under his gaze.
Finally, a corner of his mouth twitched, unreadable. Proceed, he said to the others,
taking a seat at the head of the table.
Elena forced herself to focus, though she could feel his eyes on her more than once as she spoke.
By the time the interview ended, she couldn't tell whether she had impressed him
or infuriated him. Maybe both.
Two weeks later, the job offer landed in her inbox.