CAUGHT IN THE BILLIONAIRE WEB

A Chance I Didn't Expect

Amy Pov

“Jessica…?” I whispered into the phone.

“Amy, guess what” Jessica Porter said, excited. “We both got in. Harper State University offered us admission. Amy, we made it.” Jess said, screaming and shouting at the top of her voice.

It was supposed to be good news for me but it wasn't. I didn't know what to say or how to react so I kept quiet.

“Amy? Hello? Are you there?”

I pressed the phone closer to my ear. My throat tightened. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

“Amy, talk to me. Why are you quiet? Amy, are you fine? What happened? Are you okay?”

That was all it took. The tears came before I could stop them. I covered my mouth, but a small sound still escaped, and Jessica heard it clearly. She sensed something was wrong.

“Amy, where are you?” she asked quickly. “Where are you right now?”

“At the hospital,” I whispered. “It’s Mom. She… she collapsed.”

“I’m coming right now” Jessica said and ended the call.

A few minutes later, she rushed into the hallway. Her face changed the second she saw me sitting on the bench, shaking.

“Amy.” She sat beside me and pulled me into a hug. “Tell me everything.”

I tried to breathe, but the words kept coming out in pieces. “She was beaten… she started convulsing… the doctor said her heart is very bad… they said only one specialist can help her… I don’t have money… Jess, I don’t have anything.”

“I don’t care about admission right now,” I said, crying. “School is the last thing on my mind. Jess… I don’t even know where to get money for fees. We’re in debt. Loan sharks are after us. Mom is dying. I just need money to save her. That’s all I want. I need to save my mom.”

Jessica held my hands tight. “Amy, I’m so sorry” she said softly. “I’m really sorry about everything.” I really understand your situation and it's okay if you can't go to school now, we need to raise money to save your mom first.

But how…how do I get the money, I can't get more loans. We are in debt already.

Jessica looked around, thinking. “Okay… okay… calm down. There’s a place hiring. Greystone Hotel. It’s a high-end place. They don’t accept just anyone, but I heard they’re taking new staff this week.”

“They won’t take me,” I said. “Places like that need connections.”

“I’ll talk to my uncle,” Jessica said. “And even if he can’t help, you can go and submit your CV. Just try. Amy, you have to try.”

I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Jessica squeezed my arm. “Go today. Go now. Don’t wait.”

I stood up, wiped my face, and hugged her again. “Thank you.”

“Call me when you’re done,” she said.

…………

Greystone Hotel looked nothing like anywhere I belonged. The building was tall, quiet, and clean. The staff looked polished. Even the air smelled expensive.

My hand shook a little as I gave my CV to the front desk.

“Please… they said you’re hiring,” I said softly.

The woman behind the desk glanced at me, then at the paper. Her expression didn’t change. “Wait here.”

She walked off. I held my bag close and tried not to look nervous.

She came back after a few minutes.

“I’m sorry, miss,” she said flatly. “We are currently hiring, but there is no vacancy for someone like you.”

Her words hit me hard. I felt something tighten in my throat. My eyes burned, and I fought the tears that were already building.

“I… I can work” I said quickly. “Please. I can do anything. I can clean. I can serve. I’m hardworking. I’m committed. Please just give me a chance. I really need this job.”

She didn’t look moved at all.

“I’m sorry. Please take your leave.”

“Please” I said again, my voice breaking a little. “Just let me prove myself. Just one chance.”

She looked irritated now. “Miss Jones, please use the door.”

I tried to explain again, hoping she would change her mind, but she had already raised her hand toward the security desk.

“Security, please.”

My heart dropped. I stepped back before anyone could come toward me. I lowered my head, grabbed my CV, and hurried out of the hotel before I embarrassed myself any further.

The moment the doors closed behind me, a tear slipped down my cheek.

I wiped it quickly and braced myself.

I started heading home, walking fast. The sky was getting dark. Street lights flickered one by one. I held my bag close to my chest and kept looking around.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me. Slow at first then faster.

I turned.

Three rough-looking guys were following me. Their eyes were cold and one of them smiled in a way that made my stomach drop.

“Hey pretty,” one said. “Where are you going?”

I gripped my bag tighter and walked faster.

“Don’t run. We just want to talk” another one said.

I didn’t answer. My heart was pounding. They came closer. One grabbed my wrist.

“Let go of me” I said, pulling away.

“Relax, girl,” he said. “Just give us something.”

Before I could shout, a loud voice cut through the air.

“Step away from her.”

We all turned.

Two men in black suits were standing by a long black car. They were macho, suited and not smiling at all. They looked like bodyguards.

The guy holding my wrist let go immediately.

One of the bodyguards walked forward. “I said step back.”

The street guys hesitated for a second, then ran off.

I stood there shaking.

Are you alright?” the bodyguard asked.

I nodded slowly. “Yes… thank you.”

The back door of the black car opened.

A woman stepped out, calm and elegant. She wore a soft beige coat. Her hair was tied neatly, not a strand out of place. Even with the dim street light, her lipstick still looked perfect.

My heart stopped for a second.

It was Evelyn Parker.

I knew that face. I’d seen her on billboards, on TV interviews, everywhere. She was the wife of James Harrington, the billionaire CEO of Greystone Hotel. The same Greystone that just pushed me out. “Could this be luck on my side, or maybe fate giving me another chance?”

I gasped without meaning to. “Oh my God.”

She looked even more beautiful in real life. Taller than I expected and colder too. The kind of woman you didn’t approach unless she called you.

Evelyn stepped closer, her eyes scanning me from head to toe like she was trying to place me.

“You’re alright?” she asked softly, but there was something sharp in her tone.

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath.

Evelyn’s eyes stayed on me. I felt small under her gaze, but I forced myself to speak before my courage disappeared.

“Please… please help me” I said quietly. “I tried to get a job at Greystone. They turned me away. I really need work. I can do anything.”

Her expression didn’t change.

“Anything,” she said firmly.

I didn’t even stop to think. “Yes… yes, ma’am. I’ll do anything. Just help me, please.”

She folded her arms. “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

She raised her brow slightly. “And an eighteen-year-old like you wants to work at Greystone?”

I swallowed and nodded. “I need money. My mom is sick. We’re in debt. I don’t have anyone else. Please… just give me a chance.”

Evelyn stepped a little closer. For a moment, she just stared at me, almost like she was studying my face. Then her lips pulled into a small smirk.

“You can resume tomorrow.”

My heart stopped. “What…?” I whispered.

“You heard me,” she said calmly. “Report to Greystone at seven in the morning.

I blinked fast. Tears stung my eyes again, but this time they came from relief.

“Thank you, ma. Thank you, ma. Thank you so much, ma.” I bowed slightly.

As the door of her car closed and it drove away, a strange tension lingered in the air.

Something about the way she had looked at me didn’t feel random.

It felt like she had been waiting for me.