Chapter 4 The Interviewer
1780 Words
Outside the conference room, Evangeline sat among the other candidates, waiting in tense silence.
The longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt.
Something was off.
She couldn't explain why, but an unsettling feeling gnawed at her, like she was about to come face-to-face with someone she absolutely did not want to see.
And that thought dragged her straight back to that night a week ago.
The man's sharp features, the wildness in his eyes...
Evangeline's face flushed. She shook her head quickly, forcing herself to stay focused.
She glanced toward the conference room just as a familiar figure walked out.
Just great—Celeste, of all people.
Dressed in a tight, low-cut pink blouse, Celeste looked as over-the-top as ever, exuding the same aggressive energy as the overwhelming perfume cloud surrounding her.
But what caught Evangeline's attention wasn't her appearance; it was the utterly defeated expression on her face. Failed the interview, huh?
A smug smile tugged at Evangeline's lips.
She had no intention of engaging, but of course, Celeste's radar for drama was always sharp.
The moment their eyes met, Celeste gasped in exaggerated surprise, covering her mouth as her overly made-up eyes widened with mock disbelief. "Evangeline? You're here for the secretary position?" She let out a shrill laugh. "Oh, honey, have you even looked in the mirror? Did you really think the CEO would be interested in someone as plain as you?"
Heads turned. Murmurs spread through the candidates like wildfire.
But after witnessing that filthy affair, Evangeline was no longer afraid of Celeste.
She locked eyes with Celeste and let out a chuckle. The casualness of it—like she found Celeste's words pathetic—only made Celeste's blood boil.
"What the hell are you laughing at? Am I wrong?" Celeste sneered. "You're just some desperate ugly duckling playing pretend like you could ever be a swan."
Evangeline crossed her legs, resting her hands in her lap, completely unbothered. "Oh? If I'm a pathetic little escort, then what does that make you? A homewrecking mistress?"
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and casually tilted the screen in Celeste's direction. Playing on the screen was the video of her affair, Celeste's indiscretion in all its glory.
"Need a refresher?" Evangeline smiled sweetly. "You know, if you search your name on the UniLink right now, the top result is your little cheating scandal."
Gasps rippled through the room. The moment the other candidates heard this, they wasted no time pulling out their phones.
"Oh my god, it's really her!"
"She got caught in the act? That's disgusting."
"And now she's trying to work for Vaughn Enterprises? Please, she's just hoping to sleep her way up the ladder."
Celeste's face turned deathly pale, then bright red in an instant. She was trembling with rage, her manicured nails snapping as she clenched her fists.
She had no comeback because the evidence was right there, undeniable. All she could do was glare daggers at Evangeline and hiss through clenched teeth, "This isn't over."
With a dramatic hair flip and a scowl, she stormed out.
"Next candidate: Evangeline Mercer."
A crisp voice called her name. Evangeline took a deep breath and stood.
"Here." She pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The conference room was sleek and modern, with long black tables and an air of authority. Several interviewers sat across from her, their sharp eyes scanning her with quiet intensity. Evangeline's heart pounded,
She had chosen a cream-colored suit today—well-fitted, professional, yet effortlessly elegant. A silk blouse underneath softened the look, adding just a hint of understated sophistication.
Her bright blue eyes, like polished gemstones, reflected the light, and her lips curved slightly, just enough to conceal the nervousness bubbling inside. Her thick, chestnut waves were neatly pinned up, exposing the graceful curve of her neck and her delicate features.
Even under pressure, she held her poise. That mix of youthful confidence and quiet composure gave her a unique presence, something fresh yet unexpectedly captivating.
The interviewers exchanged quick glances. There was no doubt: out of all the candidates, Evangeline was by far the most poised, the most impressive. And, undeniably, the most stunning.
She introduced herself with ease, answering their first round of questions smoothly. Just as the panel was about to continue, the door swung open.
A tall, commanding figure stepped inside.
The man wore a charcoal gray tailored suit, the fit so precise it only emphasized his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and impossibly long legs. His presence alone shifted the energy in the room—dominant, unreadable, magnetic.
As he walked past the waiting candidates, he frowned almost imperceptibly.
Those women were too close, and a familiar discomfort crawled over him.
Only a few seconds had passed, but his chest tightened, a deep nausea rising at the thought of accidental contact.
But he pushed it down, keeping his expression unreadable.
Then, as he stepped into the interview room, the discomfort vanished, replaced by a sense of peace.
Why did the air suddenly feel... lighter?
Was there anything in this room that made him feel at ease?
His sharp gaze swept across the space, scanning for an explanation, until his eyes finally landed on Evangeline.
Did his discomfort disappear because of her?
But how could it be? The very thought was absurd.
But his body's reaction was undeniable. That inexplicable sense of ease, that strange but tangible comfort, all seemed to point to one answer.
Without realizing it, he fixed his gaze on Evangeline, filled with curiosity, doubt, and something else he couldn't quite name.
Cassian's unexpected arrival had left the interview panel stunned.
"Who is he?" one of the interviewers finally muttered.
"No idea. Never seen him before, but if he's here, he's got to be a high-level executive or a direct supervisor."
"Wait... Could he be Mr. Vaughn?" a younger interviewer whispered, his voice full of shock.
"Impossible. Mr. Vaughn never shows up in person." Another interviewer lowered his voice, his expression filled with disbelief.
The panel exchanged looks, clearly intrigued by the mysterious man who had just walked in.
One of the bolder interviewers frowned. It was the first time he had ever seen someone barge in during an interview, and he wasn't about to let it slide. "Excuse me, but which department are you from? You can't just—"
Before he could finish, an older panelist tugged at his sleeve.
"Shut up and look behind him."
The interviewer followed his colleague's gaze and instantly turned pale. Standing just behind Cassian was his assistant, his posture deferential, his expression tense with respect.
Cassian barely acknowledged their hushed whispers. "Don't mind me," he said coolly, striding toward a seat in the corner. "Carry on."
Evangeline's heart nearly stopped when she saw him.
Wasn't he the escort who slept with her that night?
What the hell was he doing here?!
She barely managed to keep her expression neutral, but inside, a full-blown panic stormed through her.
One of the senior interviewers cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence before smoothly resuming the process.
Evangeline took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She answered each question with confidence and clarity, quickly earning the panel's approval.
Meanwhile, Cassian remained in the corner, silent, his gaze never leaving her.
Just when she thought she was about to wrap up the interview successfully, his deep voice cut through the room.
"Ms. Mercer, you've demonstrated your professional skills, but this role requires handling many of the CEO's personal affairs as well. That means having an excellent memory. How would you rate yours?"
What kind of question was that?
And more importantly, who exactly was he?!
How was she supposed to answer when she had no clue who he was or what kind of response he expected?
Sensing her hesitation, Cassian leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. A faint, teasing smirk tugged at his lips. "Additionally, as the CEO's secretary, you'll inevitably attend business dinners. Naturally, drinking will be involved. What's your stance on that?"
Evangeline had prepared for all sorts of professional questions, but this was entirely unexpected.
Her mind raced. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, and she stammered slightly, "I—I can handle it. I'll make sure the CEO isn't pressured into drinking, and I won't get drunk myself."
Cassian chuckled, watching her squirm like a startled rabbit. He wasn't done toying with her yet. "Are you sure about that?" he mused. "You wouldn't happen to have a tendency to... throw yourself at the CEO when you're drunk, would you?"
A hush fell over the room. The interviewers exchanged wide-eyed glances, whispering among themselves.
"Why would he ask something like that? That question is way too personal. Could he actually be Mr. Vaughn?"
"No way... but then again, who else could ask something like that?"
"God, he actually came!"
*****
The others were all wondering if the man was truly their CEO,
Meanwhile, Evangeline felt like her brain had short-circuited.
Was he doing this on purpose?!
The memory of that night came rushing back: the way she had thrown herself at him, drunk and uninhibited. Her face burned.
'God help me. This is beyond humiliating. No, Evangeline, pull it together. You need this job. You can't let him get to you!'
Lifting her chin, she forced herself to meet his gaze. With a confident smile, she replied, "I would never behave inappropriately at a professional event. You can trust in my work ethic and self-control."
Cassian arched a brow. Did she seriously not remember that night? The way she had practically pounced on him?
Watching her sit there, all composed and professional as if nothing had happened, was almost amusing.
He reached into his pocket and pulled the earring she had left out, idly twirling it between his fingers.
Then, he let it catch the light, his smirk deepening. "Interview's over. You can leave now, Ms. Mercer."
Evangeline's entire focus zeroed in on the earring in his hand.
Then, her stomach dropped.
He did it on purpose.
He recognized her!
Panic flared through her, but she forced herself to keep it together. Quickly nodding her thanks to the panel, she turned and bolted out of the room.
She barely made it to the elevator when a deep, magnetic voice called out behind her.
"Wait."
She stopped instinctively, turning slowly.
And there he was, the last man she ever wanted to see again. Cassian stood before her, his presence alone was enough to make her feel cornered, trapped.
He extended his hand, palm open. Resting in the center was the tiny diamond earring.
"This belongs to you, doesn't it?"
- Writer
