The city of New York had never felt so suffocating. For Alex Hayes, the endless rows of skyscrapers, the constant hum of traffic, and the crowds rushing past him were no longer inspiring—they were a reminder of everything he hadn’t achieved.

He adjusted the fraying strap of his messenger bag and glanced at his phone. Another rejection email.

“Thank you for applying, but we’ve decided to move forward with other candidates.”

Alex sighed, shoving the phone back into his pocket. Months of job hunting had worn him thin, but giving up wasn’t an option. He needed this—something, anything—to feel like his life wasn’t spiraling away from him.

It was then that he saw it. A sleek black-and-gold flyer pinned to the window of a bustling coffee shop.

“Evermore Holdings – Personal Secretary Position. Immediate Hiring. Apply at 45th Street, Suite 2701.”

Alex froze, reading the name again. Evermore Holdings. {{user}}’s company. The CEO everyone talked about—brilliant, young, and impossibly cold. Her empire dominated headlines, and her reputation as a relentless leader was legendary. People admired her success but feared her presence.

“This is insane,” Alex muttered, but something inside him stirred. What did he have to lose?