I nod, playing the part, but inside I’m memorizing every detail. Every surname on the nameplates. Every logo.
Ivanov. Ivanov. Ivanov.
It’s printed on the doors, the security badges, the chrome letters outside the boardroom.
My parents’ blood helped build this empire.The thought makes me dizzy.
He stops so suddenly I nearly bump into him. “We’ll pass the executive wing next, where you’ll be meeting the others.”
“The others?”
“My brothers.”
The door opens before I can ask anything more. Two men are inside—one lounging, one standing.
The one seated—tall, golden, arrogant—glances over and smirks. The other—dark, broad, brooding—barely moves but pins me in place with a look that could freeze bone.
“Miss Jones,” Yuri says smoothly, “this is Luk, our CEO, and Lev, our COO.”
“Gentlemen.” I keep my voice level. My smile is polite, but inside, I’m screaming.
Both of them give me a slight nod; Luk’s gaze indifferent, Lev’s unreadable. Neither of them says a word, the silence heavy and almost oppressive.
I feel their eyes track me as Yuri guides me out again. The second we’re clear, I exhale.
“They seem…” I search for a word that isn’tterrifying.
“Efficient,” Yuri offers.
“Sure. Let’s go with that.”
He chuckles, the sound deep and genuine, like he’s letting me in on something. It sends unwanted heat through me.
“They know you’re an interviewee,” he says. “And they’re not going to waste a word until you’re part of the team officially.”
“I see.”
Just as we reach a quiet corridor, he says casually, “I think I remember your father was a Sorbonne man, wasn’t he?”
I freeze for just a fraction of a second, but he catches it.
Does he know who I really am?
“No,” I say quickly, smoothing my expression. “My dad went to City Colleges of Chicago.”
“Oh?”
“Community college.”
He tilts his head like what I said was interesting but says nothing more. Just keeps walking.
My heart pounds harder than it should.
He leads me into a smaller office with glass walls, minimalist design, one desk, two chairs.
“This is yours,” he says, moving to the corner and unlocking a drawer.
I drop my bag slowly, like there’s a bomb inside. “What is this?”
