Right after the wedding he ask for a divorce saying he love someone else but an unexpected encounter
A New Path at Hartwell Industries
The next morning Olivia returned to her small studio apartment in the less fashionable part of downtown. She had planned to move into Julian’s penthouse after the honeymoon. Now she was grateful she had kept her lease.
The apartment was cramped and the radiator clanked, but it was hers. Her best friend Rachel arrived within an hour of Olivia’s text, carrying coffee and pastries.
“I’m going to kill him,” Rachel announced, setting down the bags.
“Slowly and painfully.”
“Get in line.”
Livia managed a weak smile. She was still in her traveling clothes, her packed suitcase for the canceled honeymoon sitting unopened by the door.
“What are you going to do?” Rachel asked gently.
“Survive.”
Olivia wrapped her hands around the warm coffee cup.
“Go back to work on Monday. Sign whatever papers he sends. Move on. That’s it.”
“You’re just going to let him walk away?”
“What choice do I have?”
Olivia’s voice was hollow.
“I can’t make someone love me, Rachel, and I definitely don’t want to be someone’s second choice.”
Rachel squeezed her hand but said nothing. What was there to say?
Monday arrived with brutal efficiency. Olivia returned to a job as a marketing coordinator at Bennett and Associates, a mid-sized firm that handled local businesses.
Her co-workers were kind enough not to ask about the honeymoon. The pitying looks were almost worse than questions would have been.
She threw herself into work, staying late every night and volunteering for extra projects. She did anything to avoid going home to her empty apartment where the wedding gifts still sat in unopened boxes.
Three weeks later, an email appeared in her inbox that made her blood run cold. The sender was Hartwell Industries, Julian’s family company. Her first instinct was to delete it, but curiosity won out.
“Dear Miss Carter,” it read.
“We would like to invite you to interview for the position of Senior Marketing Director at Hartwell Industries.”
“We were impressed by your portfolio and believe you would be an excellent fit for our team. Please contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.”
It had to be some kind of cruel joke. Julian’s company wanted to hire her. She showed the email to Rachel that evening.
“Don’t go,” Rachel said immediately.
“It’s a trap or a pity hire or something equally horrible.”
But Olivia stared at the email, reading it over and over. Senior Marketing Director. It was three levels above her current position.
The salary listed would change her life. The signature at the bottom wasn’t Julian’s; it was from someone named Derek Stone, Chief Executive Officer.
“Julian isn’t CEO of his family’s company.”
Olivia frowned. Rachel pulled out her phone and searched.
“Looks like he stepped down about two weeks ago. This Derek Stone took over. He’s some hotshot who turned around three failing companies before he turned thirty-five.”
Olivia made a decision that surprised even herself.
“I’m going to the interview.”
“Livia…”
“I’m not going to let Julian Hartwell dictate my career,” she said firmly.
“If they want to hire me based on my work, then I’m going to let them. And if it’s some kind of game, I’ll walk out.”
The interview was scheduled for Friday afternoon. Olivia chose her most professional suit, a navy blue ensemble that made her feel armored and confident.
The Hartwell Industries building was downtown, all glass and steel reaching toward the sky like it was trying to touch the clouds. The lobby was intimidating, filled with important-looking people moving with purpose.
Olivia checked in at the reception desk and was directed to the executive floor. Her heels clicked against marble as she walked toward the elevator, her portfolio clutched in slightly damp hands.
The executive assistant who greeted her was professional and warm.
“Mr. Stone is looking forward to meeting you. He’s finishing up a call, but he’ll be right with you.”
Olivia waited in a sleek conference room, trying not to fidget. Through the glass walls she could see people moving through the office. There was no sign of Julian, thank God.
The door opened and a man walked in. Olivia stood automatically, extending her hand. Derek Stone was not what she expected.
He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his charcoal suit perfectly. His eyes were kind, a warm brown that crinkled slightly at the corners when he smiled. His handshake was firm but not aggressive.
“Miss Carter, thank you for coming in.”
His voice was deep and genuine.
“I’ve been very impressed with your work at Bennett and Associates. The campaign you ran for the Riverside Restaurant Group was particularly clever.”
They talked for an hour. Derek asked thoughtful questions about her strategies, her vision, and her goals.
He didn’t mention Julian once. In fact, he seemed genuinely interested in her as a professional, not as the woman who had been publicly humiliated by the former CEO.
“I’ll be honest with you,” Derek said as the interview wound down.
“This company needs fresh perspective. The previous leadership made some questionable decisions that I’m working to correct.”
“I need people who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo and who actually care about the work, not just the prestige.”
“And you think that’s me?”
Olivia asked.
“I know it is.”
Derek smiled.
“I’d like to offer you the position, Miss Carter. Starting salary is $80,000, full benefits, and four weeks’ vacation. You’d have your own team and direct input on all major marketing decisions.”
Olivia’s current salary was $42,000. This was more than double. This was life-changing.
“When would you need an answer?”
She asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Take the weekend. Think it over. But I hope you’ll say yes.”
Derek stood and offered his hand again.
“I have a feeling you’re going to do remarkable things here, Olivia.”
It was the first time someone had called her remarkable in a very long time.
