Scandal&Redemption

Chapter 6 — The CEO

Sophia forced herself through the glass doors. She slipped onto a white couch by the wall and opened her folder, pretending she was just another applicant.

Her heart slammed as the tall man walked through the lobby doors. He didn't look around like a visitor. People moved aside without being told. The receptionist straightened. Security nodded quickly. He didn't look around like a visitor. People moved aside without being told. The receptionist straightened. Security nodded quickly.

Sophia sank deeper into the white couch and let her hair fall forward like a curtain. She lowered her face toward her folder, pretending to read, pretending to be nothing—just another applicant waiting her turn—hoping that if she stayed small enough, he wouldn't notice her at all.

But her palms dampened the paper, and her throat went dry.

The man passed the reception desk. “Good morning, sir," the receptionist said.

He answered in a calm voice, “Morning."

The sound scraped across Sophia's memory. She didn't remember that night clearly—only flashes, heat, confusion—but his voice tugged at something she'd buried for five years.

It's not him, she told herself. It can't be.

Even if it was… what would she do? Walk up and say, Excuse me, were you the stranger I woke up beside?

Her cheeks warmed with shame at the thought. Sophia stood and moved toward the hallway leading to HR, keeping her eyes down and her steps steady. Behind her, she heard smooth, unhurried footsteps heading toward the private elevators.

Sophia didn't turn around.

In the HR office, the air felt warmer. A woman with a friendly smile stood and offered her hand. “Ms. Hayes? I'm Karen from HR. Please, sit."

Sophia sat with her back straight. “Thank you for seeing me."

Karen scanned her resume. “Your experience is solid. I see you worked at Wright Enterprises before."

“Yes," Sophia said, careful.

“Why did you leave?" Karen asked, gentle but direct.

Sophia chose her words like stepping over glass. “Personal reasons. I needed time away."

Karen nodded, neither curious nor cruel. “Your work references speak highly of you. This role supports the executive team directly, so confidentiality and pressure come with the territory. Can you handle stress?"

Sophia met her gaze. “Yes."

“Good." Karen's smile returned. “Then there's one more step—final approval from the top executive."

Sophia's stomach tightened. “The CEO?"

“For this position, yes," Karen said. “Come with me."

They walked down a polished hallway. With every step, Sophia repeated: This is your chance. Don't ruin it.

Karen stopped at a large door with a gold nameplate.

Sophia read it once, and her blood went cold.

ELIJAH KINGSLEY

CEO, KINGSLEY GROUP

Shock hit first, sharp and bright. Then fear followed close behind.

If he recognized her—if he looked up and remembered the hotel, the morning, the empty bed—she would be exposed right here, in a place where she had hoped to start over. For one reckless second she imagined turning around, running for the elevator, vanishing into the city.

But Ava's face flashed in her mind, and so did five years of scraping by. This job wasn't just a dream. It was food, rent, a future.

Sophia forced her shoulders back.

Karen knocked lightly. A deep voice inside said, “Come in."

Karen opened the door and gestured. “Sir, this is Ms. Sophia Hayes for final interview."

Sophia stepped in and felt her legs threaten to fold.

The man behind the desk was the same man from the lobby.

He looked up. His eyes were dark and steady, his expression calm—almost bored, like surprises were for other people.

Sophia's breath caught. The door was at her back, only a few steps away, and she had to fight the urge to grab the handle and bolt. Don't run, she told herself. Not again.

The man spoke smoothly. “Ms. Hayes."

“Yes, sir," Sophia managed.

“My name is Elijah Kingsley," he said, as if stating the weather. “Heir to the Kingsley Group."

Sophia's fingers went numb around her folder.

Karen smiled politely. “I'll wait outside."

The door closed.

Silence filled the room.

Sophia stood stiffly, clutching her folder like a shield. Elijah leaned back slightly. “Sit."

She sat.

He glanced at her resume, then looked up again. “Sophia Hayes."

“Yes."

“Why do you want this position?" he asked.

Sophia's mouth felt dry. “Because I'm qualified, and I need a stable career."

He watched her for a beat. “Need."

“Yes," Sophia said, and forced herself to add, “And I want it."

Elijah tapped the paper once. “Tell me about your project at Wright Enterprises. The proposal you wrote for the Delmont deal."

Sophia nodded quickly. “It was a market expansion plan for their luxury line. We targeted three cities first."

“Why those three?"

“High disposable income, under-served demand, and simpler logistics," she said.

“What was the biggest weakness?"

Sophia opened her mouth—and hesitated.

“Answer," he said, calm but sharp.

Sophia's pulse jumped. She tried to focus. She knew the numbers, the risks, the gaps. But his eyes held her there, and suddenly she saw another room, another bed, another morning she had never been able to explain.

He might be Ava's father.

Her mind went blank.

“The key risk was…" Sophia started, then stumbled. “Competition, and—"

Elijah's gaze didn't move.

Sophia tried again. “Also supply chain delays if—"

“Your answer is scattered," he said.

Heat climbed into her face. “I'm sorry. I'm nervous."

“Why?" he asked.

Because you might know me. Because you might remember. Because my daughter might have your eyes.

Sophia swallowed it all down and gave the safest truth she could afford. “Because this matters to me."

Elijah studied her for a long second. Then he set the resume down. “You're underperforming."

The words stung like a slap.

“I'm not usually like this," Sophia said, gripping her folder harder.

“We'll be in touch," he said, already turning his attention away.

His face was blank, lashes lowered—tired, impatient. The coldness crawled under her skin. She'd messed up. She'd wasted her chance.

Sophia's stomach dropped. “Sir, please—"

He lifted a hand, stopping her. “Interview is over."

Sophia stood on unsteady legs. “Thank you for your time."

Elijah nodded slightly.

Sophia walked out of the office with her face hot with shame.

In the hallway, Karen asked quietly, “How did it go?"

Sophia forced a thin smile. “Fine."

But inside, anger surged—at Elijah, at the past, at herself for freezing like a frightened girl. She had worked too hard to get here. She couldn't let it end because fear grabbed her throat at the worst moment.

Sophia walked toward the elevator, then stopped.

No.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she turned and marched back to the door.

Karen blinked. “Ms. Hayes?"

Sophia didn't answer. She knocked.

A calm voice inside said, “Come in."

Sophia stepped in again, heart pounding, and closed the door behind her.

Elijah Kingsley looked up—surprised, just slightly.

Sophia forced her voice steady. “Sir… I want another chance."

“Another chance?" His brows lifted.

“My performance wasn't my real ability," Sophia said. “I can do this job. Test me again."

Elijah's eyes narrowed as he studied her.

Sophia held his gaze, refusing to look away. “I won't waste it," she said. “Please."