Seducing the Ice-Cold CEO

Chapter 4(2)

Leah

The receptionist, who was clearly getting uncomfortable with the situation, glanced back down at her screen. Her nails clicked against the keyboard as she typed something in. “It says here… Esther Burough,” she said at last, her voice clipped and efficient.

For a second, all I could do was stand there, feeling heat creep up the back of my neck. It just had to be the same Esther who had laughed behind her hand when my last attempt to meet Dante Kerlsen had fallen through. The same Esther who had snidely suggested that maybe I should stick to smaller interviews, where people actually had time for me.

Had she been planning this from the start? Lurking in the wings, waiting to swoop in and steal this opportunity the moment she got the chance?

I forced myself to take a deep breath, smoothing down the front of my blouse with shaking hands. “There must be some mistake,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “I’m the one supposed to be conducting the interview with Mr. Kerlsen.”

The receptionist gave me a tight, strained smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m very sorry, ma’am. But perhaps you should take this up with your colleague.”

Take it up with Esther? Oh, I would. I could already imagine the smug smile she’d be wearing when I returned to the office. For a moment, my vision blurred with the force of my fury. I had worked so hard for this. I had prepared endlessly, memorized Dante Kerlsen’s career history, rehearsed questions late into the night. This was supposed to be my break.

I bit down hard on my lip to stop the angry words bubbling up in my throat. Losing my temper in the middle of Dante’s pristine, glass-walled lobby wasn’t going to help anything. I couldn’t afford to make a scene, not when there might still be a way to salvage this.

“There has to be something that can be done,” I said, planting my palms flat on the receptionist’s desk.

As if summoned by my desperation, a sudden look of relief flashed in the receptionist’s eyes. I frowned, until I realized she was looking behind me. I turned around sharply and spotted Henley, Dante’s secretary, approaching at a brisk pace. His expression was unreadable, but the moment I saw him, hope flared in my chest.

I hurried towards him. “Mr. Henley! There’s been some sort of misunderstanding. I’m here for the interview, just like you asked.”

Henley’s mouth tightened into a line. He shook his head almost wearily. “Someone from Turning Point already conducted the interview with Mr. Kerlsen, Miss Sparrow. I’m afraid there’s nothing more to be done.”

“No, you don’t understand,” I said quickly, desperation bleeding into my voice. “The interview was mine. I was the one invited to do it.”

Henley nodded, completely unfazed. “This isn’t personal. Your company agreed to provide an interviewer, and we fulfilled our obligation.” He gave me a bland, polite smile. “Thank you for coming.”

Before I could react, he turned smartly on his heel and walked away, leaving me standing there like an i***t. I stood frozen in place, feeling my heart crumble inside my chest. First Ethan and Ashley, and now this? Two gut punches in the same week. I scrubbed a hand over my face, suddenly exhausted. I had half a mind to just go home, bury myself under my blankets, and stay there for a week.

But then, just as I was about to leave, movement caught my eye. Dante Kerlsen himself was descending the staircase, looking every inch the powerful, untouchable man he was rumored to be. His suit was dark and sharply cut, his steps long and assured. His expression was neutral, almost bored, as if nothing in the world could touch him.

A wave of shame washed over me as I remembered our last encounter, the way he had so casually refused to give me a ride. I should have walked away. I should have let it go. But then I thought about returning to the office, about seeing Esther’s smug little smirk as she recounted how she had snatched my opportunity right out from under me.

The thought made my stomach turn. No. I wasn’t going to accept this. Not without a fight.

Swallowing my pride, I pushed off from the desk and marched straight toward Dante. My heart pounded wildly in my chest with every step, but I kept my face steady, my pace sure.

“Mr. Kerlsen!” I called out as I caught up to him.

He paused, one hand on the stair railing, and turned to face me with a raised brow. His icy blue eyes swept over me, clearly recognizing me from earlier. I planted myself firmly in front of him, blocking his path. I clasped my hands in front of me so he wouldn’t see them trembling.

“I’m Leah Sparrow, from Turning Point,” I said, forcing my voice to stay strong. “I was supposed to conduct your interview today. There’s been some… confusion. I was hoping you might still have time.”

I met his gaze directly, refusing to look away, even as I braced myself for another refusal.

For a long moment, he just stared at me, unreadable.

Then much to my shock, something in his face shifted. His mouth quirked, just barely.

“I have a meeting,” he said slowly. “But if you’re willing to be quick… you can interview me during the car ride.”

I blinked, sure I had misheard him.

But no, he was already gesturing for me to follow him. Relief and disbelief flooded through me all at once. I stumbled for a second before gathering myself and hurrying after him, clutching my bag tightly against my side like it was a lifeline.

This wasn’t how I had imagined it happening. This wasn’t the grand, sit-down exclusive I had dreamed of. But it was a chance, and I wasn’t about to waste it.