Episode 1: The Interview That Changed Everything
Jasmine Hart's heels clicked against the sleek marble floor of Phoenix Corp, echoing through the high-ceilinged lobby. Her palms were damp, her grip tightening around a navy folder containing her resume and references. Fifth interview in two weeks—if this one didn't work out, she wasn't sure what would.
Her dark curls were neatly pinned, makeup subtle but flawless, and her navy-blue pencil skirt hugged her figure just right. She looked the part. Now she had to convince them she belonged here.
As she waited for the elevator, Jasmine caught sight of her reflection in the mirrored wall. "You've got this," she whispered to herself. Just then, the elevator doors slid open.
She stepped inside, joined by a few others, including a sharply dressed man in a charcoal-gray suit. He stood a few feet from her, tall, broad-shouldered, radiating the kind of confidence only people at the top exuded. His presence was magnetic, commanding, but cold—like he didn't belong among ordinary people.
Their eyes met briefly. His were a stormy grey, unreadable and intense. Jasmine nodded politely. "Good morning."
He didn't respond. Just a small flicker of acknowledgment before he looked back at his phone. Rude.
The elevator climbed silently. When it stopped at the 28th floor—Phoenix Corp's executive level—the man stepped out first. Jasmine followed, her nerves returning as a woman in a black blazer approached.
"Miss Hart?" the woman asked, glancing at a clipboard.
"Yes, that's me."
"This way. Mr. Reed is ready for you."
Her stomach flipped. Mr. Reed—the CEO himself?
She followed the assistant into a minimalist, glass-walled office. Inside, behind a sleek black desk, sat the same man from the elevator.
Oh. My. God.
Jasmine froze for a second too long. He looked up slowly from his tablet, recognizing her instantly.
"You're the candidate for the executive assistant position?" he asked coolly.
"Yes… Jasmine Hart," she managed, extending a hand he didn't take.
He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk. "Sit."
She obeyed, doing her best to maintain composure. He said nothing for a few seconds, simply watching her with an unreadable expression.
"You're late," he finally said.
She glanced at her watch. 10:01. "The interview was for ten. It just turned."
"I value punctuality, Miss Hart."
"And I value respect," she shot back before she could stop herself. "But I'm here, and I'm prepared."
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, followed by something else—amusement?
He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "Impressive resume, but no experience working directly under a CEO. Why should I hire you?"
"I'm adaptable, organized, and I don't flinch under pressure," Jasmine said firmly. "I also don't tolerate unnecessary egos. You'll find I'm…refreshingly honest."
His lips twitched slightly, almost like a smirk. "Most applicants spend this interview trying to flatter me."
"I'm not most applicants."
There was a long pause. Tension swirled between them like static.
Finally, he stood. "That's all for now. You'll hear from us."
Jasmine stood too, disappointment blooming in her chest. That was it? She turned to leave.
"Miss Hart," he called out just before she reached the door.
She turned slowly.
"You're hired. Start tomorrow. 8:00 sharp."
Her jaw nearly dropped. "Excuse me?"
"You said you're adaptable," he said, already back to checking his tablet. "We'll see."
Jasmine blinked, stunned. Then she smiled—not out of gratitude, but victory. "I'll be here. Early."
As she walked out of the office, her heart was pounding—not with nerves, but with exhilaration. She couldn't believe it. Callum Reed, the cold, untouchable CEO, had just hired her on the spot. Something didn't add up.
Was this a test? A game?
Just as she stepped into the elevator, her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown number:
"I hope you're ready for what comes next. I don't take kindly to mistakes."
Her breath caught in her throat as the elevator doors closed.
What the hell had she just walked into?