“Hey, get out of the way, old man, seriously, move!” The voice, sharp and arrogant, cut through the already tense atmosphere of the crowded elevator in the bustling Thompson Tower in the heart of Chicago.

“How dare you lay your hand on an old man?” replied another clear and firm voice, surprising everyone. “The elevator was already overloaded, and that’s the moment you walked in. If anyone has to go out, it should be you.”

The woman who spoke, a hard-featured blonde in a very expensive power suit, turned sharply.
“Who do you think you are to tell me to come out?” Do you know who I am? Or my direct connection to Michael Thompson, the president himself? His eyes, reduced to slits, looked down at the newcomer. I don’t care who you are. Apologize to him right now.

A young woman, Emily Carter, blinked. Is this woman blind? How dare he openly confront Sophia Reed, the star senior manager of Thompson Enterprises? Emily knew that Sophia had a bad reputation, and there were interviews for many aspirants, including her, that day.
“She’s here for an interview,” a nervous observer muttered. “He already ruined her by offending Sophia.”

Emily shook her head slightly. It’s not worth it, he thought, and turned to the old man who still looked dazed.
“Sir, is that okay?” He asked in a soft voice, showing genuine concern.

He smiled faintly.
“I’m fine, thank you, miss. And I’m glad you are, too. He paused, looking at her warmly. What’s your name, my dear?

—Emily Carter.

“Do you work here at Thompson Enterprises?” he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

“No, sir. I actually came for an interview,” Emily replied, with a hopeful smile.

He smiled broadly.
“Well, I believe in you, Emily. You will surely succeed.

Her words, so simple, gave Emily an unexpected warmth.

“I appreciate it, sir,” she replied just as the elevator bell rang and the doors opened.

The crowd came out, leaving Emily and a few others on their way to the Human Resources floor.
“I wonder if we’ll meet Mr. Thompson today,” someone next to him murmured.
—Why would you attend interviews with “nobodies”? Another sneered. Unless you make it to the executive office, you’ll hardly be able to interact with President Thompson.

“Emily Carter?” A clear voice called from reception.
“It’s me,” she replied, moving forward.
“Come to your interview.

Meanwhile, in a glass penthouse in New York overlooking Central Park, Michael Thompson, CEO of Thompson Enterprises, was on the phone in frustration:
“Mr. Johnson, our staff wasn’t at JFK to pick up Grandpa. Did you check your old house in Brooklyn Heights? It’s not there either. Damn grandpa! Are you still recovering? Why the hell did you come back to the U.S. without warning?

A hoarse voice thundered on the other end:
“Do you have the nerve to ask me?” It’s been a whole year, Michael! A year since you promised to introduce me to my daughter-in-law. Where is he? Did you even get married?

Michael sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“Grandpa, I showed you the marriage certificate.

“Just the cover, boy!” Do you think I’m senile? I don’t want papers, I want to see her. If I don’t know her, I swear I’m dying right here!

Michael relented, knowing that resisting was futile.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. If you promise to recover, I’ll introduce her to you. A month, yes? That’s all you have.

The old man snorted, reluctantly agreeing, and added,
“Oh, and a girl named Emily Carter had an interview at your company today. Hire it.

Michael raised an eyebrow.
“Grandpa, our company hires on merit, you know that.

—If you made it to the interview, that already shows capacity. That girl Emily Carter… she is kind and beautiful. I like it. A lot.

Michael suppressed another sigh.
“Okay, okay. I’ll hire her. Happy now?

In Chicago, Emily walked into the interview room. He greeted the panel nervously and handed in his resume.

At the head was Sophia Reed. When he saw her, he smiled contemptuously.
“Wow, what a coincidence.

Emily felt her heart sink. I’m lost.

“Get out of here,” Sophia ordered, waving her hand.

“He hasn’t even seen my resume,” Emily replied with a flash of rebelliousness.

“I don’t need to see him. Garbage like you doesn’t belong here.

At that moment, the door opened. Michael Thompson entered, imposing, every step of his imposed silence.

Emily, indignant, didn’t hold back:
“She’s rejecting me just because I confronted her in the elevator, right?”

Sophia smiled smugly.
“So what if so?” You humiliated an old man, and that was wrong.

“And if I could, I’d do it again,” Emily replied firmly. With interviewers like you, I’d rather quit.

Sophia shrugged.
“There you go.”

Michael, who had watched in silence, spoke at last. His eyes were fixed on Emily.
“Who is Emily Carter?”

“It’s me,” she replied in surprise.

He flipped through the abandoned resume.
—Did you study design? Does our design department need more staff?

“We’re complete, sir,” a manager hurriedly replied.

“Then start as an assistant in the secretariat.” Alex Johnson, take care of his income.

“Yes, sir,” Alex replied, confused, leading Emily out of the room.

Sophia glared at her.
“That woman is already trying to seduce Thompson. He will pay me for them…

Later, in the office, Emily was barely settling in when a rude voice sounded:
“You’re the new ‘pretty girl in the office’, huh?”

It was Ryan Patel, head of marketing, who approached with a lascivious look and tried to touch his arm.

“What are you doing?” Emily slapped him away.

Ryan opened his eyes, indignant.
“You dare to hit me!?”

“You harassed me. A slap was mercy,” Emily replied firmly.

Sophia suddenly appeared, crying,
“Mr. Thompson! Look at what’s going on here!

Michael left his office with a frown.
“What’s going on?”

Emily didn’t hesitate:
“He bullied me! It was my turn!

Ryan changed his expression instantly:
“No, Mr. Thompson! She used me to climb. It was she who insinuated things to me. Who let this manipulative woman in? Fire her now!

Emily angrily pointed at him,
“You hired her!”

Michael was silent for a moment, with a strange spark in his eyes.

Ryan, believing he had won, smiled arrogantly.

Michael spoke in a cold, decisive voice:
“Get out. Did you hear me? Outside!

Emily was startled.
“Why fire me if he was clearly the one who harassed me?”

Michael sighed, massaging his temples.
“I was referring to him. Not you.