Ethan hadn't taken Vivian's mention of a job interview seriously, assuming she would pursue a mundane office job, much like Shawna's nominal role as Creative Director in the Shaw Corporation. So, when Hayden escorted Vivian to his office and introduced her anew, Ethan was genuinely stunned.
"What did you say?"
"Mr. Sharpe, this is our newly appointed Security Director," Hayden repeated, gesturing towards Vivian, who stood there grinning.
"Hello, Mr. Sharpe," Vivian greeted formally, a rare sight indeed.
What… What the hell! Ethan's astonishment stripped away his composed expression as he stared, wide-eyed. "Why her?"
The Sharpe Corporation, rooted in the jewelry industry, placed immense importance on its security department, responsible not only for building safety but also for the transportation of precious jewels. Recruitment standards were stringent, favoring those with special forces backgrounds or exceptional qualifications. The position of Security Director was even more critical.
What qualifications did Vivian possess to step into such a role?
"She passed Director Smith's rigorous evaluation," Hayden explained. He had observed Vivian navigate each interview stage in the security department that morning. While it is really surprising, Vivian had proven her capabilities.
Director Smith, a veteran employee with over thirty years of service since Ethan's parents' time, was a retired special forces officer with an impressive record of missions. Now in his sixties, he should have retired but stayed on due to the lack of a suitable successor. His approval carried significant weight.
Yet...
"How is that possible?" Ethan remained incredulous.
He knew Vivian possessed some combat skills, having effortlessly subdued him and Hayden, but that was largely because they were ordinary individuals. It didn't necessarily mean Vivian could match the skills of the ex-special forces soldiers in the security department.
Hayden seemed to perceive Ethan's doubts. Despite his own amazement, having witnessed Vivian's evaluation firsthand, he wasn't as astonished as Ethan. "I have compiled videos of the entire interview process and Vivian's profile on this USB drive for you to review."
Throughout, Vivian wore a relaxed smile, her petite frame standing tall in a soldier's stance.
Ethan glanced at her, then inserted the USB into his laptop. Vivian's profile was as plain as he remembered, so he eagerly reviewed her interview performances that had impressed the notoriously strict and demanding Director Smith enough to pass the baton.
The interview comprised three stages: written test, combat skills, and intelligence handling. Vivian aced the written exam, and Ethan was already familiar with her hacking prowess during the intelligence assessment. But he had never seen her engage in combat seriously.
As Ethan played the video, he was transfixed.
On screen, Vivian was fierce and stunning, unafraid of opponents larger than her. Her moves were swift and precise, targeting vulnerabilities. Starting with one-on-one combat, the challenge escalated to two, then three opponents, eventually five special forces personnel against her alone. Yet, she remained fearless and agile, like a desert rose, resilient and blooming the beauty of life, evoking admiration, awe, and aspiration. Ethan's heart pounded, his chest throbbed, as if something deep within him had been struck.
This… Is this Vivian?
The same Vivian who was always playful and teasing?
Ethan looked from Vivian to her on-screen persona, struggling to reconcile the two. How could Vivian be so formidable and captivating?
After watching the entire video, Ethan found an additional segment labeled "Interview." He clicked play to witness the conversation between Director Smith and Vivian.
Director Smith, like Ethan, couldn't fathom how someone of Vivian's age and background could possess such skills. His attempt to use interrogation techniques to uncover her origins and motives backfired as Vivian expertly turned the tables, leaving the seasoned former officer at a loss against this young woman.
In the interview, Vivian demonstrated a sophistication and cunning that defied her status as a wealthy heiress, resembling more a seasoned battlefield veteran.
Ultimately, the defeated Director Smith posed the question Ethan himself yearned to ask.
"Who are you really?"
"Vivian," answered Vivian, both on screen and in person.
