No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 70

LAUREN'S POV

“You want me to purposely refuse you this job opportunity without even getting to know if you’re fit for the job because you think I might take revenge on you for how you spoke to me last night?” he asked, his voice firm and steady, while leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world. His eyes locked on me, sharp but unreadable, and that casual confidence in his tone made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.

“I don’t think so, I know so,” I replied, refusing to break eye contact. My words came out harsher than I intended, but my chest was already tightening with nerves.

His lips curved into the faintest smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You speak like you’ve known me forever when we only just met yesterday. And I’m not as childish as you think. I’m disciplined, Lauren. I know how to separate my personal life from my business life. I don’t mix them, no matter what. So I wouldn’t take any sort of weird revenge you think I would. Relax.”

He reached for his tablet, opened it, and propped it upright on his desk with a small, deliberate motion, like he was showing me he meant business.

Hearing that did make me feel a little at ease, but only a little. My gut still whispered warnings. What if he was just saying all this to make me drop my guard? He already knew that I suspected him of planning something — wasn’t this the perfect way to lure me into lowering my defenses?

“And you expect me to just take your word for it, sir?” I asked, forcing myself to keep my tone respectful. I folded my hands tightly in my lap, hoping he didn’t notice the way my fingers were trembling.

His gaze flicked to me again, steady and unshaken. “Lauren, you didn’t directly insult me or call me names. You’re making the small things you did yesterday sound like you committed some kind of crime. Besides,” he leaned back slightly, adjusting his suit jacket, “my company and its branches have been searching for a business development manager for quite a while now. But some people just don’t have the experience we need. So why would I throw that away just because of one bad interaction?”

His words hung in the air for a moment, smooth and logical, but I couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or just good at manipulation.

“Now,” he added, his voice dropping lower, more professional, “you came here for an interview, so let’s begin.”

I froze. My chest rose and fell slowly as I tried to process his statement. On one hand, he sounded reasonable, like someone who valued efficiency and results above personal feelings. On the other hand, my instincts told me not to trust him too quickly. A man like him — wealthy, powerful, and used to control couldn’t possibly be as neutral as he claimed.

I was standing at a crossroads in my mind. If I let my guard down and trusted him, I could end up regretting it deeply. But if I walked away now, I’d lose this chance. This job could change everything for me.

I needed this opportunity. Rent wasn’t going to pay itself, and bills didn’t magically disappear because of my pride or suspicions. Yet my pride screamed at me not to let him win, not to let him use last night against me in some subtle way.

I shifted slightly in my seat, straightening my posture. No, Lauren, keep your guard up, I told myself firmly. Play along, but don’t relax. The moment he tries something for his own benefit at your expense — you’re done. You’re walking out of here, no matter how badly you need this job.

This wasn’t just an interview anymore. It felt like a silent game of chess, each move carefully measured. He was the kind of man who probably played to win, no matter what. And me? I had to survive.

So I took in a deep breath, nodded slightly, and forced a polite smile onto my lips.

“Alright,” I whispered inside my head, tightening my resolve.

But I mean, he’s the CEO. It would be stupid of him to do something so childish in front of all his staff, so that gave me a little comfort. I kept reminding myself of that fact as my heartbeat thudded heavily in my chest. The man sitting across from me wasn’t just any ordinary boss, he was the man I had seen in a completely different light last night. That thought alone made my palms feel clammy, and I had to discreetly wipe them against my skirt.

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