A Man Saved a Female CEO’s Life One Night—Then Walked Into Her Company for an Interview the Very Next Morning
Chapter 2
At 7:30 the next morning, Ethan stood in front of a mirror wearing his only suit.
The jacket was slightly too large.
The cuffs were worn.
But it was clean.
He adjusted his tie and stared at his reflection.
“You’ve got this.”
He didn’t believe himself.
His phone buzzed.
A reminder appeared.
Halston Technologies — Operations Assistant Interview — 9:00 A.M.
Ethan grabbed his folder.
By 8:35, he was standing beneath the enormous glass entrance of Halston Tower.
The building seemed to rise forever.
Employees in tailored suits moved through the lobby carrying laptops and coffee.
Ethan looked down at his own shoes.
He had polished them twice.
Still, they looked cheap.
At reception, he introduced himself.
“Ethan Carter. I have an interview with Human Resources.”
The receptionist checked her tablet.
“Yes. Twenty-third floor.”
He thanked her.
Then the elevator doors opened.
Ethan stepped inside.
Three employees entered behind him.
One whispered about the CEO.
“Did you hear what happened last night?”
“Someone attacked her.”
“She’s lucky she’s alive.”
Ethan’s stomach tightened.
The CEO.
He suddenly remembered the woman in the parking garage.
The elevator stopped.
Twenty-third floor.
Ethan walked into the waiting area.
A woman from HR approached.
“Mr. Carter?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Melissa Grant.”
They shook hands.
“Please follow me.”
Ethan sat across from Melissa.
She reviewed his résumé.
“You’ve worked in logistics, warehouse operations, and project coordination.”
“Yes.”
“Why leave your previous company?”
“It closed the Chicago branch.”
She nodded.
“And why Halston?”
Ethan hesitated.
“Because I believe I can contribute here.”
Melissa smiled.
“That’s a safe answer.”
Ethan smiled back.
“I’ve learned that safe answers don’t usually get people hired.”
She laughed.
The interview went well.
Then came the final question.
“Do you know who our CEO is?”
“Victoria Halston.”
“Have you ever met her?”
Ethan paused.
“Not officially.”
Melissa raised an eyebrow.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s complicated.”
Before he could explain, the conference-room door opened.
Everyone stood.
Victoria Halston entered.
Ethan froze.
She wore a charcoal suit.
Her hair was neatly pulled back.
A small bandage was visible beneath her collar.
Their eyes met.
Victoria stopped walking.
Ethan stood too.
Neither spoke.
Melissa looked between them.
“Do you two know each other?”
Victoria answered first.
“Yes.”
Ethan swallowed.
“We met last night.”
Melissa looked confused.
Victoria walked toward him.
“You’re Ethan Carter.”
“Yes.”
“The man who saved my life.”
The room went silent.
Ethan glanced at Melissa.
“I didn’t know who you were.”
Victoria’s expression softened.
“I know.”
She turned toward the HR manager.
“Could you give us five minutes?”
Melissa hesitated.
Then left.
The door closed.
Victoria sat across from Ethan.
“You came here for an interview.”
“Yes.”
“You knew this was my company?”
“No.”
She almost smiled.
“That’s quite a coincidence.”
Ethan nodded.
“I was surprised too.”
Victoria studied him.
“You ran toward gunfire.”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“That may be the problem.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
She smiled.
Then her expression became serious.
“I owe you my life.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I disagree.”
She stood.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“To the executive floor.”
Ethan looked confused.
“I haven’t finished my interview.”
Victoria opened the door.
“You just did.”
