Amelia Carter stood beneath the towering glass entrance of Blackstone Group, holding the folder containing her resume with both hands.
Rain fell steadily around her.
She looked up at the building once more.
**BLACKSTONE GROUP**
The name was impossible to miss. It was engraved across a polished stone wall beside the entrance, surrounded by silver lettering and expensive-looking lights.
Amelia took a deep breath.
Today was supposed to be the beginning of a new life.
She desperately hoped it would be.
Three months earlier, her family had been living comfortably. Her father had owned a successful business, and Amelia had never imagined that everything could disappear so quickly.
Then the business collapsed.
Bills began arriving.
Their house had been placed under pressure from creditors, and the comfortable life Amelia had known became a memory almost overnight.
Her father rarely spoke about what had happened.
Whenever Amelia asked questions, he simply told her that everything would eventually be fine.
But she knew better.
That was why she was standing outside Blackstone Group.
She needed this job.
Amelia pushed the glass doors open and stepped inside.
The difference between the rainy street and the company's lobby was striking.
Everything was clean and elegant. The marble floor reflected the ceiling lights, and employees moved quickly through the enormous reception area.
Amelia suddenly became conscious of her simple clothes.
She looked down at her dark skirt and plain blouse.
They weren't expensive, but they were neat.
That would have to be enough.
She walked toward the reception desk.
"Good morning."
The receptionist looked up.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
"I'm here for an interview."
"Name?"
"Amelia Carter."
The receptionist typed something into her computer.
After a few seconds, her expression changed slightly.
"Yes. Miss Carter. Someone will come for you."
"Thank you."
Amelia stepped aside and waited.
She expected to be interviewed by a human-resources manager.
She certainly didn't expect the owner of the company to be involved.
A few minutes later, a woman wearing a dark suit approached her.
"Miss Carter?"
Amelia turned.
"Yes."
"I'm Rachel. Please follow me."
Amelia picked up her folder.
"Of course."
They walked toward the elevators.
As the doors opened, Rachel pressed a button for the upper floors.
Amelia glanced at her.
"I thought the interview was for the executive assistant position."
"It is."
"Who will be interviewing me?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Mr. Black."
Amelia nearly stopped walking.
"Alexander Black?"
Rachel nodded.
Amelia had heard that name many times.
Alexander Black was the founder and chief executive of Blackstone Group. Despite his young age, he had built one of the country's most successful companies.
He rarely appeared in interviews.
He rarely attended public events.
And according to everything Amelia had heard, he was extremely difficult to work for.
"Why would he interview me himself?" Amelia asked.
Rachel gave a small shrug.
"I don't know."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped inside.
As they rose through the building, Amelia tried to calm herself.
There was no reason to be nervous.
It was only an interview.
She had prepared her answers.
She had brought her resume.
She had researched the company.
She could do this.
When the elevator stopped, Rachel led her through a quiet hallway.
They stopped in front of a large office.
Rachel knocked twice.
"Come in."
The voice from inside was calm and firm.
Rachel opened the door.
"Mr. Black, Miss Carter is here."
Amelia entered.
The office was enormous, but surprisingly simple.
A large window covered almost the entire wall behind the desk, offering a view of the city.
A man stood near the window.
He turned slowly.
Amelia's first impression was that he looked nothing like she had expected.
Alexander Black wore a dark suit and had a serious expression. He didn't smile when he saw her.
Instead, his eyes remained fixed on her.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Alexander looked toward Rachel.
"You can leave."
Rachel nodded and walked out.
The door closed.
Amelia remained standing.
Alexander returned his attention to her.
"Amelia Carter."
It wasn't a question.
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Sit."
Amelia sat in the chair opposite his desk.
Alexander walked over and took his seat.
He picked up a folder.
Amelia recognized it immediately.
Her resume.
He opened it but didn't look down.
Instead, he studied her.
"You graduated last year."
"Yes."
"You have limited professional experience."
"That's true."
"And yet you applied for a position that requires considerable responsibility."
"I believe I can handle it."
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Amelia paused.
She could have given him the usual answer.
She could have said that she wanted experience.
That she admired the company.
That she wanted to build a career.
But none of those answers felt honest enough.
"I need the opportunity," she said.
Alexander watched her carefully.
"Everyone needs an opportunity."
"I know."
"Then why should I give you one?"
Amelia looked directly at him.
"Because if you give me a chance, I'll work hard enough to prove that you made the right decision."
Silence filled the office.
Alexander finally looked down at her resume.
He turned one page.
Then another.
"You live with your father?"
"Yes."
"Daniel Carter?"
Amelia's expression changed.
"Yes."
Alexander stopped turning the pages.
For the first time, something in his expression looked different.
Not surprise.
Something closer to recognition.
"You know my father?" Amelia asked.
Alexander closed the folder.
"I know of him."
Amelia studied his face.
There was something strange about the way he had answered.
"What does that mean?"
"It means you don't need to worry about it."
She frowned.
"I wasn't worried."
"You should be."
Amelia didn't understand.
Alexander stood and walked toward the window.
"Your application is unusual."
"Why?"
"You applied for a position here despite having no previous connection to Blackstone Group."
"I saw the advertisement."
"Of course."
He turned around.
"Who told you about the position?"
"No one."
Alexander stared at her.
Amelia began to feel uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem?"
"No."
He returned to his desk.
"I've decided to hire you."
Amelia blinked.
"What?"
"You'll start Monday."
She hadn't expected that.
The interview had barely lasted ten minutes.
"You've decided already?"
"Yes."
"But you haven't asked me about my skills."
"I've read your application."
"That's not enough to decide whether someone is qualified."
Alexander's expression remained unreadable.
"Perhaps not."
Amelia stood.
"Then why hire me?"
For the first time, Alexander seemed almost uncomfortable.
But it disappeared quickly.
"You'll find out."
Amelia stared at him.
She wasn't sure whether she had just received a job offer or walked into something she didn't understand.
Alexander handed her a document.
"Your employment details. Read them carefully."
She took the papers.
"Thank you."
As she turned toward the door, Alexander spoke again.
"Amelia."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"Don't ask your father about me."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
Alexander looked at her for several seconds.
"Because some questions are better left unanswered."
Amelia left the office without another word.
The door closed behind her.
Alexander remained standing beside his desk.
He looked at the folder containing Amelia's application.
Then he opened a drawer and removed an old photograph.
The photograph was worn and faded.
Two families stood together in front of a house many years ago.
Alexander stared at one particular person in the photograph.
Daniel Carter.
His expression hardened.
For years, Alexander had believed that the Carter family had disappeared from his life forever.
Now Daniel's daughter had walked directly into his company.
And she had no idea why.
Alexander placed the photograph back in the drawer.
There was a secret connecting their families.
A promise had been made long ago.
And now Amelia had unknowingly stepped into the middle of it.
Alexander looked toward the closed door.
"Why did you come back?" he whispered.
He knew Amelia didn't have the answer.
Not yet.
But eventually, she would.
And when she discovered the truth about her family, everything would change.