Chapter 1: The Incident – Four Years Ago
Melanie Scott stood outside the sleek glass building of Edwards Enterprises, her heart racing in her chest. She tugged at the hem of her crisp, newly purchased blouse, trying to shake off the nervous energy that threatened to consume her. This was it—the opportunity she'd been waiting for. This interview could change everything. She could finally make enough money to pay for Rachael's surgery and secure a future for herself, one far removed from the grim reality of living paycheck to paycheck.
She had worked too hard, sacrificed too much to let this chance slip away. The stifling weight of her worries pressed on her, but she shoved it aside. She had to focus, stay sharp.
A glance at her phone told her she had a few more minutes before the interview. She was early—an advantage she had prided herself on. The company was one of the top players in the industry, and the job would offer a salary that could pay for Rachael's surgery and more. It was the chance of a lifetime.
Taking a deep breath, Melanie adjusted the strap of her purse and walked through the revolving doors, her heels clicking against the marble floor. The lobby was as grand as the building's exterior: modern, clean, and cold. The reception desk was staffed with a young woman who barely glanced up as Melanie approached.
"Hi, I'm here for the interview with Mr. Rhys Edwards," Melanie said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.
The receptionist finally looked up, her expression flat. "Right. He's waiting for you. You can go right up."
Melanie nodded and made her way to the elevator. Her palms were slightly damp, but she wiped them on her skirt as the elevator doors closed. The elevator shot up with a smooth, silent hum, and her mind wandered briefly. She could almost hear Rachael's laugh in her mind, her best friend's voice the only comforting thing in her life lately. Rachael's condition had gotten worse in the past few weeks, and Melanie was desperate to raise enough money for the surgery that could save her. This job was the key to it all.
The elevator dinged as it reached the top floor. Melanie stepped out, immediately taking in the sleek, minimalist design of the office. Everything was pristine—too perfect, almost. She followed the directions to Rhys Edwards' office, the door standing open as if waiting for her.
A man stood by the window, his back to her, his posture straight and rigid. The air in the room felt stiff, and Melanie instantly felt like an outsider.
"Mr. Edwards?" she asked, her voice catching slightly.
The man turned to face her, his sharp features illuminated by the light streaming through the windows. Rhys Edwards. The CEO. The man she had heard about in whispers, the one whose empire was slowly making waves in the industry.
He was everything she had imagined—and more. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his cold eyes flicked over her with a dismissive glance. There was a distant, almost calculating look in his gaze. He didn't look like someone who had time for small talk or pleasantries.
"Yes, Ms. Scott?" His voice was deep, commanding, and immediately put her on edge.
Melanie swallowed, straightening her posture. She could do this. She wasn't going to let nerves get in the way.
"I'm here for the interview for the position of Chief Marketing Officer," she said, her voice more confident than she felt.
Rhys studied her for a long moment, his gaze flicking from her face to her shoes, then back up again. It was a look that made her feel like she was being scrutinized under a microscope, dissected down to her very core.
"You're a little... underdressed," he remarked, his tone colder than she had expected.
Melanie stiffened, her mind racing. She had spent weeks preparing for this interview, researching the company, rehearsing her answers, picking out the best outfit she could afford.
"I'm sorry, I—" she started, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand.
"Not the best first impression, Ms. Scott." Rhys said the words with an air of finality, as though he had already made up his mind.
Her heart dropped. Was this the end before it even began?
She opened her mouth to explain, to tell him that she had put everything she had into getting ready for this day, but before she could utter a word, he spoke again.
"I don't have time for excuses. I've already taken up too much of my morning," he said, turning back toward the window, as though dismissing her.
"Mr. Edwards, please," she said, her voice desperate. "I really need this job. I... I'm willing to work harder than anyone. Please, just give me a chance."
Rhys turned slowly, his eyes cold as steel. "You think you can just show up here and expect to get a chance because of some sob story? Life isn't that simple." His words were harsh, cutting through her like a knife.
Melanie's heart pounded in her chest. How could he be so cold, so indifferent? She had worked so hard for this. Every step she had taken, every sacrifice she had made—all for nothing.
The sound of a knock at the door interrupted the tension. Rhys' eyes flicked to the door before he gave a curt nod, signaling for the person outside to come in.
A man walked in, dressed sharply in a tailored suit. His eyes glanced between her and Rhys with a raised brow, but he said nothing. Rhys cleared his throat.
"This is Mr. Clarkson, my assistant," he said flatly, the introduction feeling more like a formality than anything genuine.
Melanie stood there, unsure what to do next. She had been hoping for a breakthrough, a glimmer of hope that her hard work would finally pay off. Instead, she was left with nothing but humiliation and disappointment.
"Mr. Clarkson, show Ms. Scott the door," Rhys said, his voice as cold and unyielding as ice.
The words struck her like a punch to the gut. She had no choice but to leave. She had no choice but to walk out of the building, her dreams shattered.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Edwards," Melanie said, her voice quiet but still full of dignity. She turned and walked out of the office, keeping her chin high.
But as soon as the door closed behind her, the tears welled up. She couldn't hold them back any longer. She had been so close—so close to finally getting the money Rachael needed. So close to escaping the life she hated.
But it wasn't enough.
Her mind buzzed with rage and frustration as she stepped into the elevator. The doors slid closed, and she was left alone with her thoughts.
This was the man who had shattered her chance. And she would make sure he regretted it.
---
Four years later, Melanie Scott had transformed. The girl who had once been desperate for a job, desperate for a break, was gone. In her place stood a woman who had built an empire from the ground up. A woman who now ruled an empire of her own.
Rhys Edwards hadn't realized it then, but that encounter—the one where he had dismissed her so easily—had fueled a fire in her. She had sworn to herself that one day, she would stand in front of him as an equal. No, better than him. She would build something he couldn't ignore.
She didn't know it yet, but Rhys Edwards was about to realize just how wrong he had been to underestimate her.