Chapter 1

As early June heralded the arrival of summer, an afternoon storm unleashed its fury. Dark clouds, pregnant with rain, cast a shadow over the city, while gusts of wind sent raindrops crashing to the ground, releasing the earthy aroma of damp soil into the air. Ava Sinclair, with a folder clutched in her hand, stepped into her apartment only to find the front door slightly open. Heading inside to change her shoes, she was met by the sight of Lily Johnson, deeply absorbed in organizing books, who looked up in surprise. "You're back already? Did you manage to get the resumes printed?"

"I found a print shop right at the entrance of our complex," Ava replied, setting the folder on the dining table and rolling up her sleeves to help. Lily interjected, "No need, I can handle this. Shouldn't you be preparing for your interview? Perhaps put on some makeup?"

"There's plenty of time for that," Ava said, though she knelt down to assist anyway, the pair of them tidying up the piles of old books. Just as they were about to finish, a stack of test papers slid from between the bundles. Ava picked them up, her gaze flickering briefly before she turned to Lily, "Are you sure you want to sell all of these?"

Taking the papers back, Lily's expression fell slightly, "Yes." She and Ava had shared a dorm room in college, both majoring in journalism. After graduating, Ava secured a position in the branding department of a cosmetics company, whereas Lily, under her father's influence, pursued a master's in computer science a decision she soon regretted. Overwhelmed by the weight of family expectations, Lily eventually relied on her undergraduate degree to find work at a new media company close by, leading her to move in with Ava. She often lamented her choice to continue her studies, believing that had she started working right after earning her bachelor's degree like Ava, she wouldn't now be competing with less experienced graduates for jobs.

"Let's not talk about that now," Lily shifted the subject as she saw Ava perusing her resumes, "What's EchoDigital offering to entice you away from the client side to their agency?"

Ava laughed softly as she headed to her bedroom, "You're making it sound as though I was poached. They haven't even decided to hire me yet."

"But wasn't it someone from EchoDigital who recommended you apply?"

"It wasn't exactly a recommendation," Ava clarified, reaching for her makeup, "I met someone from EchoDigital's client service at a product launch. After seeing my post about leaving my current job, she suggested they were looking and encouraged me to apply."

Lily, pondering the situation, nodded, "It's worth a shot. EchoDigital is a significant player. Even as an agency, the pay and leadership standards are likely a step up..." Her voice trailed off as she caught herself mid-thought. Ava, noticing the break in conversation, applied her makeup—a combination of almond eyeshadow and light reddish-brown lipstick, her hair elegantly restrained with a shark clip. Dressed in a white shirt paired with a knee-length pencil skirt, she struck a delicate balance between sophistication and formality.

As she was about to leave a set of keys for Lily, she noticed her roommate also getting ready to leave. "Isn't your start date tomorrow?" Lily exhaled deeply, "The moving company lost a package of mine—all my bedding. I figured I'd buy replacements today."

"Let me drive you," Ava offered, picking up her car keys from the shoe cabinet. Lily cast a disapproving glance at the Mercedes emblem, "Still driving that old thing?"

Ava responded with a light-hearted grin, "Since when is this considered old?" Lily's discomfort was palpable as she headed for the door, her underlying concern evident, "You know exactly what I mean." Ava recognized the truth in her words. Approaching the elevator, she casually adjusted her eyelashes, "A car that was given as a gift and runs fine is good enough for me."

"Typical of your dad," Lily commented with a blend of surprise and resignation, "to buy a new car for the adopted daughter while his own daughter drives a hand-me-down..." Their conversation was interrupted by the elevator's arrival, putting an abrupt end to their exchange as they stepped inside.

After seeing Lily Johnson off at the shopping center, Ava lingered for a moment before setting off, catching Lily's spirited call, "Ace that interview!" 

Ava's response was tinged with irony, "You're starting to sound like my mother." 

Unperturbed, Lily gave Ava's ensemble a once-over, "Don't you think your outfit's a tad understated for today?" Casting a self-assessment through the rearview mirror, Ava's eyes, highlighted by her meticulously applied mascara, met her reflection.

 She tilted her head, questioning, "Is it not appealing?" 

"It's charming," Lily conceded, "but it's missing the assertive aura of a corporate powerhouse." 

With a moment's hesitation, Lily unhitched a pair of diamond earrings, offering them to Ava, "These should lend an extra layer of elegance." 

Ava hesitated, memories of these earrings tied to a frantic search with Lily during their sophomore year after one got lost. 

Yet, Lily's sincerity, "Wear them today. Land the job, and you're treating me to sushi," swayed her. 

Ava accepted with a grin, "It's a deal."

The drive resumed, leading them to EchoDigital's premises. 

Ava aimed for the parking lot, only to be deterred by a guard signaling it was full. A brief detour later, she secured a spot a few streets down. 

As she prepared to step out, the heavens split open, a downpour descending without mercy. Left with no choice, Ava sprinted towards the building. Once inside, she navigated the lobby protocols, with a guard granting her access. In the elevator, she hastily arranged her wind-swept hair in the reflection of the doors, readying herself for the meeting ahead. 

Directed by the reception, Ava entered the designated meeting room. The preliminary interview segment, orchestrated by HR, breezed through her educational and professional background—details already laid out in her resume. Jordan Hayes, the HR representative, appeared content with their exchange, which was brief. Upon his departure, he offered Ava a glass of water and a comforting smile, "Miss Sinclair, a short wait, please. Director Bennett of Client Services is momentarily held up in a meeting. It should conclude in roughly fifteen minutes."

 Ava, poised and understanding, responded with a nod and a smile, "Not a problem." Waiting was part and parcel of the process, and Ava took the delay in stride, idly browsing EchoDigital's corporate history online as time quietly slipped by.

Just as Ava decided to stretch her legs, the room's entrance swung open, revealing a woman in a grey-purple dress, who inquired with a lifted brow, "Ava Sinclair?" Straightening immediately.

Ava greeted her, "Hello." 

The woman, with a measured gaze, casually remarked, "Apologies for the wait. The boss sprung a mid-year meeting on us today, requiring all hands on deck. Please, take a seat." 

As Ava complied, the director, settling down herself, casually flipped through Ava's resume, "Ah, an NYU-Media alumna. I suppose that makes me somewhat of a senior..." 

Before Ava could delve into pleasantries, the director's attention snapped to a particular detail, prompting, "You were with InnovaStream's branding team?"

 Confirming her stint, Ava began, "Yes, post-graduation, I joined them, involved in..." 

Her explanation was abruptly cut short as the director interjected, "Jeff, Jeff Bennett, your former boss?" Taken aback, Ava affirmed. 

The director's ensuing chuckle, veiled by dense lashes, carried a tone of disdain, "So, you're Ava Sinclair. Jeff happens to be a college friend. Your... predicament has been quite the buzz. I've caught wind of it." 

Ava's reply, "Indeed? What a small world," was met with a sly smile from the director, "But I've only heard snippets. Care to elaborate?" The mockery was palpable.

 Ava, sensing the underlying challenge, eased her stance, meeting the director's gaze with serene defiance, "I wasn't aware personal disclosures were a prerequisite for this interview."

 The director's response, dripping with sarcasm, underscored the perceived irrelevance of Ava's personal trials to the job's requirements. It was clear Ava's candidacy was no longer considered. 

Regaining her composure, Ava stood, her demeanor soft yet firm, "Your affiliation with Jeff Bennett and subsequent bias is understandable. However, in this professional setting, such predispositions are unbecoming of an interviewer. This interview, it seems, is over."

 Gathering her resume, Ava made for the exit, pausing only to turn back and address the director once more, "The difficulty of proving workplace harassment is well-known, as is the right to report it. I stand by my actions, ready to face any fallout. Your haste to cast judgment, however, speaks volumes." 

With that, Ava, standing tall and resolute, left the director speechless.

Exiting EchoDigital, Ava was greeted by an intensifying storm. The sky, a dark tapestry of clouds, transformed the day into an early twilight, with the relentless rain casting the world in shades of gray. Seated in her car, absorbed in thought, she received a text from Lily: "How did the interview go? Be careful driving back with this worsening rain, or maybe wait it out until it stops." Ava clung to the message, a brief respite lifting her spirits as she replied, "Are you heading home? Managed to get a taxi?" Upon confirming Lily was safely home, Ava let out a sigh and set aside her phone.

Reflecting on the day's tumultuous events, Ava's mind replayed Jordan Hayes's remark, "She's here for the interview," as she had navigated through the rain to her car, only to face another setback—her car refused to start. She had initially considered diverting to pick up Lily, but that hope quickly faded.

Contemplating the long wait for a rideshare under the darkening sky, she brushed her bangs back and stepped out of the car. The downpour was relentless, drenching her as she attempted to check under the hood, suspecting a simple issue like carbon buildup—fortunately, she had cleaner in her trunk. Yet, the heavy rain obscured her vision, and managing the hood with one hand proved difficult until it suddenly gave way.

As she leaned over for a closer look, the hood's support rod snapped, the locking clip hurtling towards her. Instinctively, Ava shielded her head to lessen the impact when unexpectedly, a hand appeared, stabilizing the rod in the nick of time.

She looked up, bewildered, to find Adrian Sterling before her. With one hand, he held a black umbrella, showcasing his resilience, while with the other, he secured the hood, his expression stoic against the storm's fury. "What's happening?" he inquired.

Caught off guard, Ava stammered, "My car broke down; I was trying to figure out the problem." Adrian observed her with a mix of concern and curiosity, his gaze intense. "Take this," he offered, passing her the umbrella before carefully closing the hood, "It can't be fixed now; better wait out the rain."

"Thanks," she uttered, gratitude barely audible over the rain's din. Noting her dilemma, Adrian suggested, "Ride with me; we can arrange a tow for your car tomorrow." Ava hesitated, then noticed a sizable SUV a short distance away, its hazard lights pulsing, giving the dark silhouette an imposing presence.

After a moment's pause, she agreed, "Thank you." They proceeded without exchanging an umbrella, Adrian leading the way as the rain enveloped them, each step echoing on the wet pavement. Ava followed, gripping the umbrella tightly.

Inside the car, the storm's roar was softened, a heavy silence filling the space between them. Ava, soaked and disheveled, tried to compose herself before breaking the silence with, "Long time no see."

Adrian, disinterested in small talk, leaned back, his demeanor aloof as he replied, "Indeed, it has been a while." Their interaction was brief, their connection marked by a peculiar distance—if Ava had known EchoDigital belonged to him, she might have reconsidered her application.

Opting not to press the conversation, Ava directed the driver to the Jin Yuan Complex's north gate. As the driver confirmed the directions, Adrian suddenly spoke, his tone casual but carrying weight, "I've taken care of that matter."

Puzzled, Ava turned to him, "What?" The car's dim light veiled Adrian's features, his detached expression hinting at a complex web of emotions.

"As my legal wife, and thereby a stakeholder in EchoDigital, engaging in such theatrics for a position was unnecessary."