CHAPTER 273: NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The next morning, Raidan stood ready to leave for the capital.

"Amelie, if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to inform me," he said warmly. His hand reached out to gently pat her head with affection. "And try not to stress yourself too much."

With those parting words, he turned and stepped out of the house.

Gabriel was already at his side, walking with him toward the waiting car.

"You really didn’t have to drive me to the airport," Raidan remarked, casting a sideways glance at his son. "The drivers are meant to handle that."

"It’s alright, Dad. I want to personally escort you to the airport," Gabriel asserted.

The King’s personal bodyguard was already stationed by the car, and as the two approached, he stepped forward and opened the rear door with a respectful nod.

Raiden climbed in first, settling into the leather seat. Gabriel followed silently, taking the driver’s seat while the bodyguard sat in the seat next to him.

Gabriel tilted his head slightly, his eyes catching sight of Amelie standing outside the house. A small smile tugged at his lips. Pressing gently on the accelerator, he drove forward, leaving the estate behind.

Back at the entrance, Carlos stood beside Amelie, observing her thoughtful expression. She was one step below him on the staircase.

"The Alpha King is easy to approach," Carlos commented, his gaze still on her. "But His Majesty doesn’t seem to place faith in many things."

Amelie gave a small nod. "Yes. He only believes what he sees for himself. But I’m grateful that he never judged Gabriel the way the Queen did. In his own quiet way, he’s always been a strong father figure to Gabriel. Maybe that’s why Gabriel still carries a tiny soft spot for his family, even if he’ll never admit it."

"Well, that’s true. Else, what I’ve heard about his mother makes me think what made the Queen so toxic. A mother shouldn’t treat her child in such a manner," Carlos stated. "Though your mother fell into the same category, her reasons were different. She was more worried about you being an omega."

"Yes. And my mother regrets everything she did with me. However, Gabriel’s mother isn’t like that. She even made an enemy attack on me, knowing the fact that I couldn’t be harmed as long as I had this pendant on. I wonder what was in her mind. The conversations I shared with the Queen, she seemed so caring toward Gabriel. But her actions say otherwise," she said with a frown.

"That’s why I have to meet the Queen once," Carlos remarked. "And I’ve faith in the Alpha King that he will soon arrange a meeting for me and the Queen."

"Yes." Amelie ascended the stairs. "Let’s go in."

~~~~~

Flora took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her outfit was neat and professional for the interview. Today was the day. A new beginning in her career in the new city. This interview could change everything for her.

"Flora! Are you ready?" came her father’s voice from outside her room.

"Yes, Dad!" she called back quickly, slinging her brown shoulder bag over her shoulder. With one last glance in the mirror, she dashed out.

"You didn’t have to drop me," she said as she reached him, adjusting her bag’s strap.

"I’ve got time for you," David replied, turning to her with a warm smile. "And this is an important interview. Of course I’m coming."

Together, they descended the staircase and entered the living room, where Samyra stood waiting.

"I know you’ll do well," Samyra said, stepping forward. "Just remember how far you’ve come already."

"I will, Mom," Flora said, her smile returning. She wrapped her arms around her mother in a quick, heartfelt hug before heading out the door with her father.

David drove her to the company on time. Flora waved at her father after exiting the car before running inside the tall glass building.

"Good morning. I’m here for the interview for the Administrative Assistant position," Flora said politely to the receptionist.

The woman behind the desk glanced at a list and gave a small nod. "Yes, please head to the sixth floor. The interviews are being held there."

"Okay. Thank you," Flora replied with a grateful smile and walked toward the elevators.

The lobby buzzed with activity. Employees rushed in and out, some clutching coffee cups, others juggling folders and phones. As the elevator doors slid open, Flora stepped inside, quickly moving to one side as a few more people joined her.

She stood quietly, going over her interview responses in her head, when nearby chatter caught her attention.

"What? We’re getting a new Executive Director today?"

"Yeah, I heard he’s some influential figure, probably from one of the overseas offices."

"I just hope he’s not as terrifying as the last one. That man was a walking nightmare."

Flora furrowed her brows slightly but said nothing. The topic didn’t concern her much.

As the elevator doors slid open on the sixth floor, Flora stepped out, followed by two other candidates. They walked ahead through the lobby, where several chairs were lined up along the walls.

Flora quietly took one of the empty seats, smoothing out her skirt as she sat. Just as she began to glance around, her phone buzzed inside her shoulder bag. She pulled it out, and her eyes widened slightly at the name flashing across the screen.

It was a message from Amelie.

"All the best. I know you’ll do better."

Flora had been waiting for her sister’s words since last night. A soft smile spread across her lips, the anxious knot in her chest easing just a little. Her fingers quickly tapped back a reply.

"Thank you," she typed, and sent.

With her heart steadied and her spirits lifted, she tucked the phone away and sat up straight, ready for what came next.

’I need to take this job anyhow. Only then, things will start working in my favor,’ Flora mumbled.