“Yesterday, we made a mistake. My employees judged the book by its cover. I prefer to read what’s inside.”
He gestured to a chair and the interview began.
It wasn’t standard. He didn’t ask about weaknesses or where she saw herself in five years. He asked how she handled a crisis at her last job when the company nearly went under. He asked about her mother. He asked what she would do if she had to negotiate with someone who despised her.
Jasmine answered honestly—no polishing, no pretending. She spoke about necessity. Loyalty. The kind of creativity that’s born when you have no resources. Ethan listened, fascinated. Every answer confirmed what he’d felt: he had a diamond in the rough sitting in front of him.
“The position is yours,” Ethan said suddenly, closing the folder. “Executive Assistant to the CEO. The salary is triple what you asked for. Full medical coverage—for you and your immediate family.”
Jasmine felt the air leave her lungs. Medical coverage. That meant her mother’s treatment. That meant life.
Tears rose, but she forced them back.
“Why?” she whispered. “Why me?”
Ethan leaned forward slightly, holding her gaze.