Chapter 3

Zoe showed up at Carrington Corp. the next morning twenty minutes early, determined to make a better second impression. She wore her cleanest white blouse, tailored gray slacks, and a pair of black pumps that pinched her toes but screamed “hire me.” Her hair was pinned neatly, and she had double-checked every document in her satchel.

She wouldn’t let Damian Carrington see her flustered again. No chance.

“Miss Bennett,” Mr. Kelvin greeted her with a knowing smile at the reception. “You’re early. That’s good. Mr. Carrington appreciates punctuality.”

She nodded. “I appreciate jobs.”

He chuckled. “You’ll be working directly outside his office. Your desk’s already set up.”

As Zoe followed him through the glossy, high-tech corridors of the executive floor, she could feel eyes on her sizing her up, whispering behind hands.

And then she met her.

Miss Lara.

A tall, red-lipped blonde in Louboutin heels and a blazer that cost more than Zoe’s entire closet. She leaned against a filing cabinet, arms folded, eyes scanning Zoe from head to toe like she was chewing her apart mentally.

“You’re the new girl?” Lara said sweetly.

Zoe smiled back. “Unless there’s another one hiding in a closet, yeah.”

Lara gave a tight, unimpressed grin. “Cute. I’m Lara, Executive Analyst and senior assistant. If you’re smart, you’ll stick to coffee runs and try not to embarrass yourself.”

Zoe tilted her head. “Thanks for the warm welcome. Anything else I should write down, or is that the full list of insults for the day?”

Mr. Kelvin quickly stepped in before the tension escalated. “Miss Bennett, your desk is this way.”

Zoe sat down at the minimalist white desk just outside Damian’s glass office. She could see his silhouette through the frosted pane, tall, sharp, still as a sculpture.

Moments later, the office door opened.

He stepped out, eyes flicking to her like he was inspecting inventory.

“Morning,” he said.

Zoe stood. “Good morning, Mr. Carrington.”

“You’re early. I like that.” He handed her a printed list. “Start with these tasks. By noon.”

Zoe scanned the list and her eyes widened.

• Pick up custom-roast coffee from Grant & Bloom, three blocks away.

• Review and summarize 20 pages of financial reports.

• Arrange a conference call with Tokyo HQ.

• Schedule three back-to-back investor meetings.

• A handwritten thank-you note to a board member in Connecticut.

By noon?

She looked up. “This was meant for a team, right?”

His expression didn’t change. “No. But I’m glad you’re asking questions. Most people just panic.”

Zoe straightened. “Don’t worry. I don’t panic.”

“Let’s see if that holds up.”

11:54 a.m.

Zoe pushed the glass door open, nearly panting, her heels clicking fast.

She had the coffee, still hot. She had the summarized reports annotated and stapled. She’d set the calls, mailed the thank-you card, and even rescheduled the Tokyo conference for 9 p.m. EST.

As she placed everything neatly on Damian’s desk, he barely glanced at her.

Then he picked up the coffee.

Took a sip.

Paused.

Zoe held her breath.

“I said oat milk. This is almond,” he said coolly, setting it down.

Her stomach dropped. “I…oh. The barista must’ve misheard…”

“No excuses, Miss Bennett. Attention to detail matters.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “Understood.”

He finally looked up at her, eyes unreadable. “You did better than I expected.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

His lips twitched. Again, that almost-smile. “You’re not going to cry?”

“Nope.”

“Slam the door on your way out?”

“Nope.”

“Curse me under your breath?”

“Not yet.”

He chuckled softly, then picked up the reports. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”

Zoe turned and left, shoulders tense but her pride intact.

Because while Damian Carrington might’ve thought he hired her to punish her… she was going to show him that she was made of more than mud stains and bad luck.

She wasn’t going to fall apart.

Not today.