Three weeks later…
Alex was now living like a tiny prince.
He had his own room, his own toys, a bedtime story (narrated by a very tired CEO), and an accidental father who still wasn't sure how this happened.
Ethan Carter—the country's youngest, richest, and most handsome CEO—was now known in the house as "Daddy!"
…He still hadn't recovered.
But the real twist? It was about to walk into his office wearing a coffee-stained resume and a wild ponytail.
---
Interview Day at EC Games
Elena rushed into the company with her drawing tablet swinging behind her like a sword.
She was late. Her shoes were mismatched. Her blouse had a ketchup stain. And she had no idea she was about to enter a romantic comedy.
"Please let me get this job. Please, universe," she muttered as she reached the interview floor.
Inside the conference room, Ethan sat with his assistant, Lily, sipping his 5th coffee of the day.
"She's the last illustrator on the list," Lily said.
"Fine, bring her in."
The door opened—
And Elena walked in like a thunderstorm.
Ethan dropped his coffee.
Alex's rescuer. The woman who yelled at him in public like a schoolteacher. The one Alex now called Mummy Candidate Number One.
Elena's eyes widened. "YOU?!"
Ethan blinked. "YOU?!"
Lily looked between them. "…Do you two know each other?"
Elena crossed her arms. "He left a child alone in a burning café."
Ethan pointed. "She yelled at me while I was calling for help!"
Lily smiled awkwardly. "Perfect. I love when coworkers bond so fast."
---
Interview? What Interview?
Elena sat down, arms still crossed. "If I knew you were the CEO, I would've drawn your face with devil horns on my portfolio."
Ethan sighed. "Well, that would've made it more interesting."
She raised an eyebrow. "So? Are you hiring me or not?"
Ethan stared for a moment. "…Fine. You're hired."
Lily nearly fell off her chair. "Wait—what?"
"I mean, she saved my kid. And she does have talent," Ethan said, flipping through her sketches. "Although you drew Pikachu kissing a dragon. That's questionable."
"That was my fantasy series."
"…I see."
Alex peeked in through the glass and waved wildly. "Mummy candidate! Mummy candidate!"
Elena blinked. "Why is he calling me that?"
Ethan groaned and face-palmed. "We'll talk later."
---
And So, the Office Gossip Begins…
The moment Elena walked into the design department, it was like entering a drama set.
All the girls gathered around her at lunch.
"OMG! Did you see the CEO today? He looks even hotter than yesterday!"
"Do you think he's single?"
"Of course he is! And rich! And that jawline—ugh!"
Elena quietly ate her rice, completely unimpressed.
Meanwhile, someone whispered, "You're the one who saved his son, right?"
She looked up. "Yeah."
"Luuucky!"
"Does he ever smile at you?"
"Did he offer to buy you a car?!"
Elena sighed and muttered, "He offered me… a job and trauma."