The Reluctant Vow

lence it. Another day, another round of job applications, rejections, and mounting stress. As much as she wanted to pull th

ing to appear professional, even if she didn't feel it. With her laptop in hand and a growing

t developed. Clara clicked on one anyway, tweaking her resume and writing a cover letter that she hoped sounded co

ed it eagerly, hoping it might be a response to one o

by the now-familiar sting of rejection. "After careful co

ily name didn't help either. The Ellis name, once synonymous with her father's reputable business dealings, had become tainte

aned back in her chair, staring at the cracks in her apartment c

in on her the night before. Clara rose cautiously and opened the door, her brow furrowing as she s

eturn address, but the paper was thick and expensive-far from the usual junk mail or bills

was written in the

Miss

offer my assistance. Please meet me at the address below at your earli

, Victori

wood was unfamiliar, but the tone of the letter was unmistakable. Whoever

e who had somehow gotten hold of her name and circumstances felt risky. But as she looked around her small apartment, the reality of

bating whether to go. She called Lily, holding the

heerful voice was a welcome repri

aining its contents. "It's from someone name

well, she's not exactly your average businesswoman. She's powerful, conn

ra repeated, her

id cautiously. "But if she's reaching out to you, it means she sees s

uldn't ignore the warning, but she also couldn't ignore the f

but she couldn't let fear paralyze her either. She grabbed the letter, reread the address, and quickly looked it u

simple black dress and a pair of borrowed heels from Lily. She took a deep breath

above. Clara hesitated at the entrance, her palms sweaty and her heart poundin

ls clicking softly against the polished marble floors. The r

man asked, as if Cla

d, her voice quiete

oward a private elevator. "Ms. Blackwo

the numbers climb higher and higher. She clutched the letter in h

floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Behind a sleek des

r. Her voice was smooth, authoritative, and hel

life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet compre