“Not bad,” Aiden said coolly. “Ah-ha! So you were secretly watching my livestream!” I flicked my hair with a smug grin, eyes gleaming with mischief. “If you’re done, get back to work,” he said, slipping right back into that cold, detached tone, clearly trying to shoo me out. “Tsk, don’t be so cold, Aiden. Are you even a man? A gorgeous woman like me teases you and you don’t even blush?” I clicked my tongue, feigning offense as I turned to leave—only to nearly bump into Alex coming in. “There were a hundred applicants this year. Eighty failed the written exam, twenty are waiting for interviews. You should head down when you’re ready.” It took me a moment to process what he was talking about—then it clicked. He meant the recruitment interviews. Zane had been in charge of hiring before, but after his very public exit, no suitable replacement had been found for head of HR. That left Aiden—the ever-responsible vice president—to handle it himself. “I’ll head there shortly,” Aiden replied. Alex nodded, then turned toward me with a smirk. “You two sure spend a lot of time together. At this rate, Raelynn doesn’t need to bother hanging out with the rest of us—might as well just marry Aiden and be done with it.” I pursed my lips and stayed quiet. Even a fool could hear the sourness behind those words. Aiden lifted his head slightly. His dark eyes glinted coldly. “You’re talking too much.” Alex shrugged. “Lighten up, will you?” He turned back to me, smug. “Raelynn, just saying—Aiden’s got a temper. If you really end up with him, don’t say I didn’t warn you when he starts pushing you around.” I rolled my eyes internally and replied sweetly, “Don’t trouble yourself on my behalf.” “I’m trying to help, and this is how you talk to me? I’m wounded.” Alex pouted, tossing one last glance at Aiden before making his exit. I grabbed the folder in my hand, ready to leave too, when Aiden suddenly spoke up. “I’m heading to the interviews. Want to come?”I blinked. “Me? Are you sure? Didn’t you just try to kick me out two minutes ago?” This man—Eclipse Pack’s future heir—treated me like an intruder anytime I so much as cracked a joke. And now he was inviting me? Aiden stood, grabbing his coat as he walked toward the door. “You’ve got a decent eye. If you want to tag along, fine. If not, suit yourself.” That was about as close to praise as he’d ever given me. I smiled, pleasantly surprised. “I’m in.” … The interview area was set up on the second floor of the company. When we arrived, about twenty young wolves were seated in the waiting area—eager, anxious, fresh to the workforce. “Line up by number. One at a time,” the HR coordinator announced when she spotted us approaching. I followed Aiden in, sitting beside him as the interviews began. But after seeing nearly ten candidates, Aiden still looked unimpressed. His brows stayed furrowed the whole time. “Maybe you’re being too harsh?” I said during the break, resting my chin on my hand. “I think a few of them weren’t bad.” He didn’t look up. “No experience, can’t speak clearly, or too arrogant. None of that is a good fit. I want talent, not dead weight.” I couldn’t argue with that logic. Still, thinking about it made me feel a little guilty—everything at my own company was handled by Jackson. Aside from a few major decisions, I hardly ever bothered. Maybe I should be more involved. Next in line was a girl with long, flowing hair and soft, elegant features. Her dimpled smile alone could outshine everyone before her. And the moment she walked in, I could feel Aiden freeze. “What’s wrong?” I teased softly. “Beauty got you speechless?” He snapped out of it quickly, flipping through the girl’s resume in silence. Then he looked up and asked, “Why did you come back?”I blinked. So they knew each other? “Mr. Aiden,” the girl said, brushing her hair aside. “That doesn’t seem like a question related to this interview. Shouldn’t we stick to professional topics?” With a loud snap, Aiden shut the folder. His expression darkened. “You didn’t come here just to apply for a job. What’s your real reason?” She laughed softly, covering her mouth like it was some charming joke. “I came back… to check in on you for my sister. What else, my dear brother-in-law?”