Chapter 5. The proposal

As the interviews continued, many candidates left the room in tears. Ethan, having decided to sit in on another session, showed no mercy—especially to those who had mocked Stacy.

He leaned forward, his gaze cold and unwavering as he studied the next interviewee. "Tell me," he said, his voice calm but cutting, "what would you do if I had two high-profile clients scheduled to meet with me at the same time?"

The woman's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she stammered, "I—I would ask the one who arrived later to reschedule, since the first meeting was already set."

Silence stretched between them. Ethan let the weight of it sink in before giving a curt nod. "That will be all. Thank you for your time."

Relief flickered across her face—until he added, "We don't need people who fail to understand the value of our business."

The woman hesitated, her voice shaking. "But sir, if I said that, wouldn't the client think I don't value them?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair, unimpressed.

"I'm sorry," he said flatly. "No more chances. Next!"

One by one, candidates entered and left, most of them barely lasting a few minutes. Then, it was Stacy's turn.

She stepped forward, her posture straight but her hands clenched at her sides. "Hello, I'm Stacy Dale." Her voice was steady, but she kept her gaze fixed on the board, refusing to look at Ethan. She knew one glance at him would shatter her composure.

Harry skimmed through her resume and raised an eyebrow. "Miss Dale, based on your credentials, you're overqualified for this position. Why apply?"

Stacy met his gaze without hesitation. "Because I'm a hardworking person, and I believe no job should be undermined."

Harry nodded, then glanced at Ethan, waiting for him to challenge her like he had the others. But Ethan didn't speak. He simply stared at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

Silence stretched across the room.

Then, finally, Ethan said, "Thank you, Miss Dale. You're hired."

"But, Mr. CEO, we still have people waiting outside," Harry said, thinking of Ginna, who hadn't been interviewed yet.

Ethan didn't even pause. "Tell them to go home—the position has been filled."

He pushed back his chair and stood. As he walked toward the door, he added, "Miss Dale, I expect you in my office tomorrow. Seven a.m. sharp."

Then, without another word, he was gone.

"But Mr. CEO, we still have people waiting outside." Harry tried to say thinking of Ginna who hadn't been interviewed yet.

"You can tell them all to go back because the job has been taken." Ethan said as he stood up to walk out.

"Miss Dale, I expect you to report to my office tomorrow at 7am sharp.

Harry instructed Stacy to report to HR first thing in the morning to get her work ID and finalize employment details.

Outside, the remaining interviewees exhaled in relief as Ethan finally stepped out. They had been hearing his sharp voice scolding candidates all morning.

"Pretending to be tough, aren't we?" Ginna sneered the moment she spotted Stacy.

Before Stacy could respond, the board members stepped outside.

"I'm sorry, everyone," Harry announced, "but the position has been filled. You can all head home."

Ginna smirked, flipping her hair. "See? I didn't even need to interview. The moment the CEO left, Harry practically handed me the job."

Stacy simply gave her a look—half amusement, half pity.

Ginna's smile faltered. "What's with that look? You think I'm lying?" she snapped.

Harry cleared his throat. "The rest of you can leave. Stacy will be the CEO's assistant."

Ginna's face drained of color, as if she had just been slapped. "What?" she whispered, eyes darting between Harry and Stacy.

Before she could recover, she spun toward Harry, demanding an explanation.

Stacy, meanwhile, took the perfect opportunity to slip away and head to HR for her work ID and employment contract.

As Stacy stepped out of the company building, she bumped into Kevin.

"I'm sorry you didn't get the job," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He had noticed she was leaving early. "But let's be honest—you only applied here to be close to me. Too bad for you, I'm with Ginna now."

Stacy didn't even glance at him. She shifted to step around him, but he blocked her path.

"I suggest you stay away from Ginna and me," he sneered. "I don't want to be associated with someone as dirty as you."

Before Stacy could respond, Ginna appeared, her eyes red and puffy. She rushed toward Kevin and collapsed dramatically into his arms.

"Kevin!" she wailed. "I didn't get the job. Harry turned his back on me! It's her," she cried, pointing an accusing finger at Stacy. "She stole my job! You have to do something. I already told everyone I was going to work here!"

Stacy sighed, clearly unimpressed with the performance. She turned to leave, but Kevin's sharp voice stopped her.

"Stop right there! What did you do? Why did Harry hire you instead of Ginna?" His voice grew louder, drawing attention. "Did you sleep with him too? How low can you go?" He scoffed. "You disgust me."

Stacy finally met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "If you have a problem with my employment, take it up with the CEO."

With that, she walked past him without another word.

As Stacy raised her hand to hail a taxi, a sleek black Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of her. The backseat window lowered, revealing Ethan Hall.

"CEO Hall!" Stacy gasped in surprise.

"Get in the car," he ordered.

Fearing she might lose her job if she refused, Stacy obeyed without hesitation.

For a long moment, Ethan simply watched her. The silence was heavy, his gaze unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke. "Where are you headed?"

"The hospital," Stacy answered quietly.

Ethan nodded, then turned to his driver. "Take her to the hospital."

As the car pulled away from the curb, Ethan leaned back, studying her. "I couldn't help but notice some tension between you and my employee, Kevin… and his woman." His tone was careful, but his words carried weight. "Will that be a problem when you work for me?"

"No, sir, it won't be a problem," Stacy replied firmly.

Ethan didn't look convinced. "Care to explain what your issue with them is?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Please, I insist."

Stacy hesitated. "It's… kind of personal, sir," she said, but when she met Ethan's piercing gaze, she knew he wouldn't let it go. With a sigh, she finally admitted, "Kevin is my ex. And Ginna used to be my best friend… and colleague."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Interesting." He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping as he added, "So your boyfriend slept with your best friend… and yet, you can still look at them without killing them?"

He paused, his expression shifting as his voice took on a different edge. "Tell me, Stacy… do you still love him?"

Stacy stared at Ethan, her eyes wide. "Love him?" she echoed. "I used to. But now? All I feel is disgust and hate."

She hesitated, then added, "Besides, he didn't cheat on me. He just… chose her over me."

Ethan scoffed. "Are you actually defending the fool?"

"No, I'm not," Stacy said quickly. Then she frowned. "But why is he suddenly a fool?"

Ethan leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Because only an idiot would choose that fake over you."

Stacy felt warmth creep up her cheeks. Did he just… compliment me?

Before she could dwell on it, Ethan's voice dropped to a smooth, almost dangerous tone. "What do you say? Want revenge on them for disregarding and hurting you? I can help."

Stacy studied him carefully. "Why would you help me?"

Ethan met her gaze, his eyes dark and unwavering.

"Because it's you."