re's

till out. Despair flooded over me

ull myself

ys. I clicked to send another resume-my fifth today, one of dozens this week. Each submission fel

impressed by my research on rare werewolf neurological

ine cracking in protest. The secondhand office chair Jennifer salvaged from t

ail noti

At least this one had a real name at the b

houlders. Jennifer stood b

ad?" sh

against her stomach. "Yeah

takes initiative, they panic and lose interest. Always assuming we want their mo

h. "I think he suspe

ce finally softened. "

odded. "I'll

on't lose hope, Claire. You're overqualifi

" she added quietly, g

r hand with mine. "Not

t was

ions and unanswered applications, silence pressed in

this

Adrian, accepting his disgusting

Adrian's smug grin haunted me.

l back. The

Another rejection probably. I clicked auto

terview invitation from VM Group-for a s

fusion momentarily overriding desp

r, scanning the email. "Holy sh

ected from entry-level pharma work-enough to cove

, digging through my sent applications

the interview! What's the worst that could happen-they rea

e both knew I had

clothes for someplace like

rcoal suit-the one I wore to my cousin's wedding. And those black h

while Jennifer adjusted the suit jacket, pinning

rk. "Conservative but not frumpy. Professional bu

y churning my stomach. "You think they'll ask why som

nding me simple pearl earrings. "Or that you admire the company

she was

ate. VM Group headquarters occupied the top floors of downtown's tallest

strode across polished marble. Military-postured guards manned multiple checkpoint

my spine straight despite the bo

eceptionist. "Claire White. I have a 10

"Yes, Ms. White. You'll need to go t

orporate logo on the wall behind reception. The stylized VM Group insign

Adrian's cufflinks. The same symbol fr

sn't some legitimate opportunity-just another cruel game orchestrated by Adrian. Maybe

to give him the satisfaction. Better to face whatever humiliati

d toward security, ready for w