The CEO

The polished glass doors of Foster Enterprises Inc. loomed, reflecting the anxious tremor in Chloe Edwards' hands. This was it. After the nightmare at Franklin's, this was her chance to start over.

"I'm Chloe Edwards. I'm here for the interview," she announced to the receptionist, trying to steady her voice.

"Oh, that's you?" The woman's voice was laced with a cringeworthy sneer. Chloe swallowed, a familiar knot tightening in her stomach. She knew that tone. She knew what it meant.

She was ushered into the office of Tristan Foster, a middle-aged man whose smirk sent a shiver down her spine. The interview quickly devolved, turning into a humiliating display of lechery and veiled threats.

"By the way, I know why you were kicked out," he'd purred, his eyes glinting with malicious pleasure. Chloe's heart pounded. He knew. How could he know?

She fled, tears blurring her vision, the sting of betrayal fresh. Then her phone rang. Joe. Her guardian, her rock. He had an offer, a new beginning. "It's at Anderson Enterprises Inc. It's the job of Ryan Anderson's personal secretary." A ray of hope, even if it meant stepping into the world of a notoriously cold CEO. She took a deep breath. This was her second chance, and she wouldn't let anyone take it from her.