C2 Anything Was Fine

I froze for a moment, then looked at her again, my heart sinking even further. I finally realized why she had gone out of her way to buy me that super sexy miniskirt.

Standing outside the deep coffee-colored wooden door, she gripped my shoulders with a serious expression. "Can you handle losing face?"

I cracked a wry smile. "Sis, my reputation's been fed to the dogs a long time ago."

She laughed then, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. "Good, I've already called the director. I won't join you inside; I have to get to work. I'll be waiting to hear your good news. Go get 'em!"

I smiled back, responding with a silent fist of encouragement.

Before she left, she slipped a cell phone and a stack of hundred-dollar bills into my coat pocket.

I straightened my hair, cropped short to my ears, and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

The two simple words, deep and resonant, filtered through the solid door.

I pushed the door open to find two people inside.

A beautiful woman with flawless makeup, her age indiscernible, stood outside the office desk.

The man seated behind it was clad in a finely tailored black suit, his face sharply defined. His cold, piercing eyes seemed to see right through you, like a hawk surveying its prey.

He lounged in his chair, arms wide, exuding the effortless authority of a sovereign ruler.

His air of unassailable dominance was a stark reminder of my former self—a self I no longer admired.

I maintained a poised demeanor, neither servile nor overbearing, as I stepped forward and nodded respectfully. "Hello, I'm here for the sales consultant position."

Dahlia had advised me that the term 'Miss' was out of favor, hence my application for the role of sales consultant.

"Are you a friend of Dahlia's?" The woman greeted me with a smile. When I nodded, she continued, "I'm Rowena."

So she was the Sales Director.

I smiled eagerly, "Yes, Ms. Morrow, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Aveline."

"Rowena, since when did our office become a refuge for just anyone?" The man's voice was rich and magnetic, slowly filling the room.

I felt a hitch in my heart and silently raised my eyes to meet those of the office's sole male occupant.

His gaze was cool and detached.

Rowena looked at me, her face a mix of surprise and amusement. "Director Haineville, you know her?"

He lit a cigarette, and through the swirling smoke, his eyes bore a heavier dose of scorn. "Yes, I know her. A twenty-something murderer, the only one in Loxford to date."

Did he recognize me?

My hands involuntarily clenched.

"What?"

Rowena's reaction didn't surprise me in the slightest.

Before setting out, I had braced myself for all the prejudiced views I might encounter.

I took a deep breath, looked up at her again, and said with earnest conviction, "Ms. Morrow, after six years inside, I value this job opportunity even more. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, just to be part of the team!"

The pride I once had dissipated like smoke the moment I entered prison.

Now, I'm seeking a foothold, a first step that will bolster my confidence to brave the fiercest storms ahead.

Rowena's demeanor turned aloof and icy in an instant, "Miss Jones, you came highly recommended by our top salesperson from last quarter. Trusting her judgment, I didn't bother to review your file—a lapse in my professional judgment. Our company cannot employ someone with a criminal record. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Biting back frustration, I made one last plea, "Ms. Morrow, just give me the chance, and I'll work harder than anyone else. I have the sincerity and perseverance needed for sales!"

"Miss Jones, please leave," Rowena said firmly, holding the door open.

"I'm ready to give it everything I've got!" I nearly cried out in desperation.

But Rowena, still holding the door, looked even more resolute than I felt.

I stood frozen for a few seconds before finally stepping out, knowing it was a lost cause.

"What are you willing to sacrifice?"

His cold voice reached me just as I approached the door.

Rowena looked at him, taken aback.

The man flicked his cigarette away and gestured for her to exit.

Rowena gave me a measured look, nodded respectfully to him, and left, closing the office door behind her.

From Rowena's deference upon her entrance, it was clear this man was a key leader in the company.

Regaining my composure, I turned and walked back to the desk, facing him directly. "Whatever kind of sales consultant the company needs, that's what I'll become. I'm ready to quickly learn all the necessary information to provide the most thorough service to our clients."

"Enough!" The man snapped, his impatience palpable. "All that is elementary. I could easily recruit a fresh professional from a school or job fair who would be more adept at the job than you. If you want to stay, you need to demonstrate something exceptional."

His emphasis on 'something exceptional' was a deliberate jab, designed to provoke a sense of shame.

Despite the sting of his words, I kept my composure, my molars grinding silently. My gaze remained free of any disgust as I asserted, "I'm willing to go all out in social engagements. Drinking, playing the part—whatever it takes to close a sale, I'm prepared to do it. For the sake of performance, I'll stop at nothing."

"And that includes?" he prodded.

Our eyes locked; his were filled with a cold disdain.

And there I was, desperately clinging to the last shreds of my dignity.

But ultimately, reality claimed victory.

Resigned, I lifted my hand and began to undo the buttons on my overcoat.