Chapter 4

Maddy's POV

The coffee mug rattled in my trembling hands as I listened to Sarah. Her words were comforting, but would luck be on my side?

"Honestly, Maddy, I know you're brilliant, and my boss will love you. He hasn't found anyone to fit the job yet. I mean, why did it never cross my mind before? But this is a sign. You have to go for it, Maddy. Imagine us working together; it will be the best." Sarah exclaimed, clapping her hands with excitement.

I remained silent for a minute or two, taking in her words. I recalled Max complaining about Nate Harrison taking his thunder too often. They had been childhood friends, but as they grew, Max's jealousy over Nate's consistently better performance pushed them apart. I remembered how he had told me snippets of their time in college and how he couldn't stand to be in the same room as Nate Harrison.

My mind raced as I was still reeling from losing my job, finding out my fiancé was a cheat and had even got my whore of a co-worker pregnant. Max would hate to see me working with the one person he despised more than anything in the world. A smile formed on my face as a chilling calm settled over me.

Revenge.

Max and Alissa had gone too far with attacking my career, my reputation, and even my sense of self-worth.

What if I could use their rivalry against them?

What if I could use Nate Harrison as my sword?

"Sarah," I said, "Can you get me an interview?"

Sarah blinked, surprised by my sudden eagerness.

"My reputation has been shredded to pieces by people who want to see me fail, to be in the gutter. I won't let them destroy me any further. I will rebuild myself and my career, Max and Alissa will see me rise from the ashes, and they will be sorry for messing with me and my life." I clenched my fists and reminded myself to breathe.

Sarah grinned, nodding her head. "That is the Maddy I know and love." She leaned over to hug me, and we both shrieked with excitement.

"Alright, let me make a call."

Over the next few hours, I spent researching Nate Harrison. I wanted to know as much about him as I could, and I wanted to impress him. Make him see I was the right fit.

Nate Harrison.

He is a ruthless, self-made billionaire from a wealthy family, which piqued my curiosity.

"Nate Harrison will see you in one hour." Sarah came bustling back into the room with a big, beaming grin on her face.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

That soon?

Wow, maybe luck was on my side, after all.

"Now, let's get you all ready and head on down." Sarah insisted, pulling me up from the sofa.

Forty-five minutes later, we pulled up in the car park and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I bit my lower lip and then took a deep breath to try to calm my nerves.

"Stay calm, Maddy. You've got this. Just be yourself and remember your worth," Sarah said softly, squeezing my shoulder as we unbuckled our seat belts.

I nodded, trying to breathe evenly. As she opened the door, I stepped out into the bustling city street, straightened my shoulders, and made my way to the towering office building where my future—however uncertain—would begin.

I was on my own now, about to meet my ex-finance rival CEO. The elevator ride felt like an eternity. When the doors finally slid open, I took a deep breath and stepped into the corridor.

I looked around, and polished glass doors swung open, revealing Nate Harrison in person for the first time.

I could not deny that he was, in fact, a very handsome man; the sight of him made me feel a sweat coming on.

He was tall, and confidence oozed from him so effortlessly that he could easily be a male model. I suddenly felt more nervous than I had before.

"Mr Nate Harrison, my name is Maddy, pleased to meet you and thank you for agreeing to see me at such short notice." I introduced myself, extending a hand whilst trying not to look like a shy teenager. My heart was pounding in my chest as I felt sparks of electricity tingle through my body. He took my hand, a brief but firm grip, a small smile playing on his lips as he gestured to me inside his office.

"Ah, yes, Ms. Maddy. I've heard a lot about you," he said smoothly, pulling out a chair for me to sit. He had heard a lot about me. Oh gosh, what had he heard about me?

As I settled into the plush chair across from him, Nate leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "So Sarah tells me that Max and Alissa... I understand they've been causing trouble for you," he remarked, voice calm but with an edge of understanding.

I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "They've gone too far. My career, my reputation—everything I built is under attack. I need a way to take control back."

Nate's eyes flickered with interest. "And what do you have in mind?"

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to be direct. "I want to work with you. I believe I can bring value to your company—and more importantly, I see an opportunity."

He studied me, a smile forming on his face. "Go on."

I took a breath. "I can be your secret weapon. Help you navigate your own problems with your competitors, and in return, I want a chance to rebuild my reputation."

Nate leaned forward, his expression becoming more serious. "You know, I have a bit of a personal problem myself. My ex is still trying to make my life difficult by hanging around. My family's been pressuring me to settle down, and she's making it worse."

I raised an eyebrow. "And?" I remembered Sarah telling me about how Nate had a reputation for being a bit of a player. Was he challenging my motives?

He smirked. "I could really use a date tonight, someone to play the part, make her see I'm not available, and shut her up for good. Would you be willing to be my date for the evening?"

For a moment, I hesitated. He was popular with women; did he see me as another potential candidate for his long list of women? Was he so trustworthy? Then I met his gaze, and I just knew that he was the key to getting the revenge on Max and Alissa that I so craved for. I thought to myself that I should not turn this opportunity down. "Mr Harrison, if it gets me the job and a fresh start, I'm in."

He nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Good. You'll be my date tonight. In return, you have the job—you've got my word. Start first thing tomorrow morning." He stood up and held his hand out, ready for me to shake, confirming our deal.

"Thank you, but let us be clear. This is only on a professional level, no feelings involved." I stood up and raised my eyebrows. There was no way that I could trust him romantically, was there?

Nate looked at me as if studying me carefully before breaking out into a smile. "Of course, professionalism at all times, Miss Maddy."