The Billionaire's Ruthless Vow

Chapter 3

The conference room was spacious, its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling city below. Three interviewers sat behind a long mahogany table, each with a copy of Elena’s resume.

Good morning, Miss Moore,” the woman seated in the middle greeted warmly. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Elena settled into the chair, placing her file neatly on the table. Although, her palms were damp with nervousness, she kept her expression composed. The interview began with the usual questions.

“Tell us about yourself.”

“Why did you choose laboratory science?

“What would you do if a physician questioned your test results?”

Each question was answered with quiet confidence. She didn’t try to sound impressive. She simply spoke from experience.

The panel exchanged approving glances. One interviewer scribbled a note, another gave a subtle nod. As questions grew more technical, Elena’s confidence blossomed. Her anxiety melted away, replace by the calm assurance of someone discussing the profession she genuinely loved.

The lead interviewer smiled.

“Excellent! Your academic record is impressive, Miss Moore.”

“Thank you ma’am.”

“One final question.” She announced.

Elena straightened instinctively.

“Why do you want to work at DC Hospital?”

She hesitated. Not because she lacked an answer, but because she wanted to be honest.

“I won’t pretend this hospital has always been my dream.”

The interviewers exchanged amused looks.

“I applied because it’s one of the best hospitals in the country.” She continued.

She paused letting the interviewers absorb the weight of her words.

“But after walking through those doors today, I realized it’s more than the building. It is the discipline. The professionalism and the standards. I want to work somewhere that challenges me to become better every single day.”

Silence filled the room. Not the uncomfortable silence, but the kind that followed after a sincere answer. Finally, the woman smiled.

“Thank you Miss Moore, you may wait outside while we conclude today’s interviews.”

Elena rose gracefully.

“Thank you for your time.” She offered a polite bow before leaving the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, one interviewer leaned back.

“I like her.”

“So do I.” another agreed.

“Competent!”

“Confident and refreshingly honest.”

The chairman glanced thoughtfully at Elena’s resume.

“I think we’ve found our laboratory scientist.”

---

Outside, Elena released a long breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

“I survived…” she thought.

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

“I told you would do well.”

She turned.

Adrian stood a few steps away, a cup of coffee in each hand. He held one out to her.

“Peace offering.”

She blinked. “For what?”

“For almost knocking you over earlier.”

Elena laughed softly. “I was the one who bumped into you.”

“I know.” He shrugged. “But this gives me an excuse to buy coffee.” He added with a smile.

“Thank you.” She accepted the cup with a grateful smile.

For a few moments, the stood near the large window overlooking the city.

“So… how did it go?” Adrian asked casually.

“I think it went will.” She replied.

“I have a feeling you’ll get the job.”

“I hope your feeling is accurate.”

“Oh, it usually is.” He replied confidently.

She raised an eyebrow. “That confident?”

“I’m rarely wrong.” He responded with a wink.

“I’ll remember that.” She chuckled.

Neither of them noticed the figure watching from the executive floor above. Damien Cross stood beside the glass railing, his expression unreadable. Nathan quietly joined him.

“Sir?”

Damien’s eyes remained fixed on the lobby below.

“Who is he?”

Nathan followed his gaze. “You mean Dr. Adrian Hayes?”

So, his name was Adrian Hayes.

“He seems rather friendly.” Damien pointed out.

Nathan smiled faintly before responding. “That is because he treats everyone the same.”

Damien said nothing. His gaze lingered for another second before he turned away.

“Find out whether Miss Moore gets the job.” He said casually.

“Sir?” Nathan blinked.

“I don’t like repeating myself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nathan watched Damien walk toward his office. A slow smile spread across his office. Interesting. His boss claimed not to care, yet he had just asked about the woman who slapped him. Twice.

---

Meanwhile, Elena finished her coffee.

“I should get going.” She said.

Adrian nodded. “I hope I’ll see you here again.”

“I hope so too.”

They exchanged smiles before heading in opposite directions. Neither of them noticed the security camera mounted above the entrance, nor do they realize someone else had seen everything.

---

Elena had barely reached the hospital entrance when her phone vibrated. It was Jess. She smiled before answering.

“Hey.”

“Well?” Jess demanded. “How did it go?”

“I think it went well.”

“Think?” Jess groaned dramatically. “That’s all you’re giving me after making me worry all morning?”

Elena laughed. “I’ll know once they call.”

“They’d better. Anyone who doesn’t hire you clearly isn’t thinking straight.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Jess hesitated before asking. “Did you see him?”

Elena didn’t need to ask who she meant. “Yes.” She replied curtly.

“And?” Jess demanded impatiently.

She paused, remembering the awkward elevator ride. “He was different.”

“Different?” Jess asked confusingly.

“He didn’t insult me.”

Jess gasped theatrically. “Wow! The billionaire actually behave like a civilized human being.”

Elena couldn’t help smiling. “He even made what I think was an attempt at a joke.”

“Wait…” Jess paused as if remembering something important. Then, she said. “Elena Moore… are you telling me Damien Cross has a sense of humor?”

“I’m not saying it was a good joke.” She defended.

Jess burst into laughter. “I would’ve paid to see that.”

After chatting for another minute, they ended the call. Elena slipped her phone into her handbag and started walking toward the bus stop. She felt lighter and for the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to hope.

---

High above the city, Damien stood inside his office, hands tucked into his pockets as he looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The skyline stretched endlessly before him. Normally, work occupied every corner of his mind. But today, his thoughts kept wandering back to a stubborn waitress with fearless eyes. A knock sounded interrupting his thoughts.

“Come in.” He said.

Nathan entered carrying a tablet. “Then interview panel has finished.”

“And?”

“They’ve unanimously recommended Miss Moore for employment.”

Damien remained silent. Nathan waited.

“Offer her the position.”

Nathan frowned. “The panel already intends to.”

“I know.”

“Then?” Nathan asked.

“I wanted confirmation.” He replied.

Nathan nodded. “There’s one more thing, sir.”

Damien looked up.

“The gala incident is still dominating social media.” Nathan said as he placed the tablet on desk. “The video has surpassed ten million views.” He added.

Damien glanced at the screen. There she was, standing in the middle of the ballroom. Eyes blazing with defiance. Then came the slap. Comments flooded beneath the video.

“She actually hit Damien Cross!”

“Someone finally humbled him.”

Damien watched the clip to the end. Without a word, he locked the screen.

“Remove it.” He simply said.

“Sir?” Nathan blinked.

“The video. I don’t want to see it circulating anymore.”

Nathan looked genuinely surprised. Normally, Damien ignored gossip, so why this matter?

“I’ll contact the legal department immediately.” Nathan said and made to leave. But as he turned, Damien spoke again.

“Do not let Miss Moore know about this.”

“Understood!” Nathan nodded and left.

The office fell silent once more. Damien looked over the city.

“Who exactly are you, Elena Moore?” it wasn’t a question he expected an answer to. Not yet!

---

Elena unlocked the apartment door and was surprised when she noticed a pair of slippers that belonged to a little figure she wasn’t expecting.

“Ethan?”

“I’m here!” Her younger brother emerged from the tiny kitchen carrying two steaming bowls of instant noodles.

She laughed. “You are back already? Has the one week observation ended already? And you actually cooked?” she asked staring at the bowls.

“One question at a time, dearest sister. The one week observation has ended but I still have to return soon. And yes, I cooked.”

“You mean you almost burned the kitchen down.” She said.

“I prefer to call it culinary experimentation. I haven’t had good food in weeks. The hospital meals are bland. I complained and they said it’s the diet needed for my health.” He said and pouted.

She shook her head, laughing harder than she had in days. The apartment wasn’t filled with luxury but it was filled with something money could not buy. Home.

As they ate together, Ethan noticed the sparkle in her eyes.

“The interview went well?” he asked.

“How did you know?” she asked back clearly remembering she hadn’t mentioned it to him.

“Jess told me when she came by. And I saw the video too.” He said the last part quietly.

“That big mouth.” She said and smiled. “Everything is okay, you don’t have to worry.”

“You always figure things out.” He said.

Elena reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I have to. Not just for me but for you. No matter how difficult life became, I would never stop fighting. I assure you, you would get your surgery done soon.” She said to him, eyes filled with warmth and deep conviction.

Outside, the evening sky slowly darkened. Neither sibling realized that somewhere across the city, a billionaire had just taken the first step toward changing both their lives forever.