Page 20 of The Damaged Billionaire's Obsession

“10:30. Hell, I can’t believe I’ll be meetingtheEthan Hawthorne in person.”

“I know, it's sick. I’m so close to shitting myself. He’s like the god of programming. He’s developed more than fifty programs and applications.”

Ethan?I turn around to look at these guys. Grown men are fangirling over him? I inwardly shake my head.

Just then, a tall, tanned guy with longish, black hair comes in. “Ms. Russo,” he greets me and smiles, revealing straight, white teeth. “Do you want to come with me?”

I rise and follow him. Strangely, I’m not nervous, but as we walk down the carpeted corridors, I wonder if perhaps I ought to be.

“I’m Sajid. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

“Likewise.”

“As we mentioned in the final email from HR, you’ll be interviewed by a panel of the managing partners.”

“Okay.” Actually, it's not okay. All three managing partners of the company are interviewing? I don't know much about how the corporate world works but it sounds like this job might be an even bigger deal than I envisaged.

“I’m just the guy who fetches candidates.” I know he’s downplaying his role. I suspect he vetted every single candidate that made it through to this stage. “I’ll also be the friendly face for you in there, okay?”

When we reach the wide double doors, he presses on a circular flashing button, and the door swings open.

He motions for me to proceed. “I’m sure you’ll do fine, Ms. Russo. Good luck.”

It’s a large room, and the lights are muted. I didn’t expect the room to be a beacon of light, given that the interview is an interactive multimedia presentation, but I also didn't think it’d be so dark.

My eyes slowly adjust to the dim light as Sajid leads shows me where to go. We reach the end of the long, rectangular table by the huge projector, and I face the interview panel.

The first person I see is Ethan Hawthorne, sitting at the head of the table, exuding an air of confidence bordering on arrogance, his posture relaxed, as if he owns the place.

Well, he does own the place.

His head is bent, and he appears to be typing into his phone. A ball of nerves uncurls in my belly, and suddenly, I don’t feel so confident anymore.

Jordan was right. I might fail this presentation. It’s probably a bigger deal than I prepared for. I’m sure I’ve missed something. I knew the challenge seemed too easy.

He hasn’t even looked at me, and I’m already losing my shit.

I take a deep breath and observe the other panel members. Jordan sits to Ethan’s left, and on the other side is a slightlyolder man, probably in his late thirties or early forties, who I assume is Mike Waldrow, the third managing partner.

They seem welcoming enough, and Jordan looks happy to see me. We exchange polite smiles and nods.

As my gaze falls back to Ethan, he raises his head. His dark hair is impeccably styled, and his sharp features hold an intensity that is both captivating and intimidating.

He’s not wearing glasses, so I see the exact moment he recognizes me, the shift in his demeanor, confusion and disapproval registering on his face.

Was he not expecting me?

“Gentlemen,” Sajid says, starting the introductions, “this is Ms. Russo.”

Mike inclines his head again in greeting, and Jordan smiles widely, which reassures me, but when I look back at Ethan, he has a horrified look.

I think I may have crashed the party.

Again.

Chapter 5

Ethan