THE UNBREAKABLE LOVERS

The conference room at Blackwood Empire was unusually quiet that morning. A long glass table stretched across the centre of the room, surrounded by expensive leather chairs. The walls were decorated with photographs of the company's biggest achievements, awards, and newspaper articles celebrating its rise to the top of the business world. At the head of the table sat Priscillia Blackwood, the twenty-eight-year-old chief executive officer of Blackwood Empire. Beautiful, intelligent, and fiercely independent, Priscillia had inherited the company after her father's death. She was known throughout the business world for her sharp mind and uncompromising standards. Her employees respected her, her competitors feared her, and those who underestimated her usually regretted it. But behind her confident expression was a woman fighting a battle that few people understood. Since her father's death, certain people within the company had been working tirelessly to undermine her authority. They believed she was too young to lead such a powerful organisation. Some even believed the company rightfully belonged to them. Unfortunately for them, Priscillia had no intention of surrendering what her father had worked his entire life to build. She adjusted her wristwatch and glanced at the folder in front of her. "How many candidates are we interviewing today?" she asked. Beside her sat Edward Harrington, the company's managing director. He was a tall man in his early fifties, with silver beginning to appear in his dark hair. His expensive suit and polished shoes gave him the appearance of a respectable businessman, but his eyes carried a coldness that his smile could never quite conceal. "Seven candidates, ma'am," he replied. "Although, if you ask me, we've already wasted enough time on this recruitment exercise." Priscillia raised her eyes. "Really? And why is that?" Edward shifted in his chair. "Because I believe we should focus on candidates with established experience. This is a financial secretary position, not an opportunity to give inexperienced people a chance to discover their talents." "Interesting." Priscillia closed the folder. "I don't remember asking for your opinion on whether the recruitment process should continue." The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Edward forced a smile. "Of course, Miss Blackwood. I was merely making a suggestion." "Then I suggest you allow the interview to proceed." Across the table, two members of the board exchanged quick glances. They had witnessed this sort of exchange before. Edward Harrington had been with Blackwood Empire for years, long before Priscillia became CEO. He had expected to gain control of the company after her father's death, particularly because Alexander Blackwood had never been fond of him. However, when the will was read, Edward discovered that Alexander had left him nothing. Not a single property. Not a single share outside what he already legally owned. The company, along with the controlling interest, had been entrusted to Priscillia. Edward had never forgiven her for it. And Priscillia knew it. "Call the first candidate," she instructed the secretary waiting by the door. The interviews began. One candidate spoke confidently about his qualifications but struggled to answer basic questions about financial reporting. Another arrived with an impressive résumé but could not explain how he would handle a discrepancy in company accounts. By the fourth candidate, Priscillia was beginning to lose patience. She rubbed her forehead as the man sitting opposite her attempted to explain why he had left three different jobs within a single year. "So, if I understand you correctly," she said, "you resigned from your previous position because your manager asked you to arrive at work on time?" The candidate shifted uncomfortably. "Not exactly, ma'am. He was always complaining about punctuality." "And you considered punctuality an unreasonable demand?" "No, ma'am." "Then what exactly was the problem?" The man opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. "I think we should move to the next question," Edward interrupted. Priscillia turned slowly towards him. "I wasn't aware you were the one conducting this interview." Edward immediately fell silent. The candidate was dismissed shortly afterwards. When the door closed, Priscillia leaned back in her chair. "At this rate, we'll finish interviewing people when I'm old enough to retire." One of the board members chuckled before quickly disguising it as a cough. Edward, however, looked thoroughly unimpressed. "Perhaps the problem is that we're being too selective," he said. "Perhaps the problem is that some people believe a polished résumé is a substitute for competence." Priscillia turned another page in her folder. "Next candidate." The secretary checked her list. "Daniel Harrington is next, ma'am." Edward's expression brightened slightly. "My son has already submitted all his documents. I'm certain you'll find him suitable." Priscillia slowly lifted her gaze. "Your son?" "Yes. Daniel. He's applying for the financial secretary position." For a moment, the room became silent. Priscillia stared at Edward as though he had just announced that his son intended to purchase the entire company. "Mr Harrington, are you telling me that your son is applying for a position in the company you help manage?" "There's nothing unusual about that, Miss Blackwood. Daniel is qualified." "I'm not questioning his qualifications. I'm questioning your judgment." Edward's smile disappeared. "With all due respect, my son's application should be judged on its merits." "Agreed." Priscillia tapped the folder in front of her. "Which is why he will be interviewed like every other candidate. And if he's selected, he'll be expected to meet the same standards as everyone else." Daniel was eventually called into the room. He was a handsome young man in his early thirties, dressed in a tailored navy suit. His hair was neatly styled, and his confident smile suggested that he had already decided the outcome of the interview. "Good morning, Miss Blackwood." "Good morning, Mr Harrington." Priscillia studied his résumé. "Your qualifications are impressive. Tell me, what would you do if you discovered that a senior executive had authorised an unauthorised transfer of company funds?" Daniel didn't hesitate. "I would investigate the transaction, review the supporting documents, and report the findings through the appropriate channels." "And if the executive happened to be someone powerful within the company?" "I would follow the evidence, regardless of the person's position." Priscillia nodded slowly. "Good answer. One more question. What would you do if the evidence suggested that the person responsible was a member of your own family?" For the first time, Daniel's smile faltered.