Sitting behind the huge mahogany desk, looking at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement, was him.

The beggar, the homeless man.

His eyes, now coldly calculating, stared at her with a slight touch of amusement — almost disdain.

There was something different about him now... not just the perfectly tailored suit or the impeccable haircut. It was the way he looked at her. As if he had won some kind of game she didn't even know she was playing.

"Miss Bernardes..." he murmured, crossing his fingers on the table. "What an interesting coincidence."

Celina swallowed hard, trying to hide her shock.

What was he doing there?

More importantly, what did he know about her?

Celina was still reeling from the shock as she sat down in the leather chair in front of the huge mahogany desk. The shock of finding him in that luxurious office, the man from that night, the beggar, left her speechless for a few moments. He was there, in front of her, as her possible boss.

Thor Miller stared at her intently, his intense eyes examining every detail of her expression. As if he were enjoying the situation. He didn't seem surprised to see her, and that only made her even more nervous.

"Miss Bernardes," he began, his voice deep and laden with an irritating calm. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Celina swallowed hard and tried to regain control of herself. She straightened her posture and tried to look professional.

"Thank you!" Her voice came out almost as a whisper.

Thor leaned back in his chair, not taking his eyes off her.

"Before we begin, let me introduce myself. I am Thor Miller, CEO of Miller Holdings. My grandfather, Thor Miller, and my father, Raul Miller, built this empire, and now I am in charge. I am president of T&R Enterprises, and I am personally conducting this interview because the position is for my executive secretary."

Celina nodded, feeling the weight of the Miller name. That surname was huge in the business world. She felt a shiver run down her spine. Work directly for him? Her heart raced.

"I insist on personally selecting who will fill this position," he continued.

Celina swallowed hard, trying to concentrate.

"I understand," she replied.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed, studying her every feature.

"You have an interesting profile... These are rare qualities. And valued ones."

His tone carried a double meaning. Celina felt the tension rise, but she didn't look away, maintaining her professional posture, though she felt an overwhelming weight on her chest. She wondered if he really wasn't going to mention anything about the night they had spent together. Even so, she remained firm, knowing that he was testing her.

"The position requires absolute discretion. Unexpected situations arise all the time when working directly with me."

She nodded silently. Was it a warning, or a provocation?

Thor seemed determined to act as if he had never seen her before.

At one point, he glanced at the panoramic window behind her, and for a second, his mind betrayed him.

He remembered the night at the hotel.

Her body beneath his, her moans muffled by the pillow, the sweet scent that permeated her skin...

A wave of excitement ran through his body, but he had too much control over himself to let it show. He hardened his expression and disguised it naturally, resuming the conversation without any change in his posture.

Celina noticed when his fingers slid subtly over the edge of the notebook. It was quick, almost imperceptible. But she knew what it meant.

He was remembering.

Trying to remain composed, Celina crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap.

"Now, tell me..." Thor spoke again, his voice tinged with a subtle note of irony. "After five years out of the market, what made you seek this opportunity?"

Celina hesitated.

"I'm getting divorced," she replied softly.

Thor raised an eyebrow and looked back at the resume on his laptop.

An almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.

He scanned the information and his tone took on an ironic edge.

"Interesting," he murmured, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "It doesn't mention here that you're married. So you're not Miss... you're Mrs. Bernardes."

His eyes locked onto hers.

Celina felt her body freeze. Blood rushed to her face, and her cheeks burned.

"I thought it was irrelevant to include."

Thor smiled slyly, as if he knew it bothered her.

He closed his notebook and crossed his arms.

"If you're getting divorced, wouldn't it be easier to just live off your husband's alimony?" he asked, with a slightly provocative tone. "I mean, from your clothes and posture, it's obvious that you're a high society lady."

Celina felt her blood boil. With a firm voice, she replied without hesitation:

"I'd rather die than depend on a man."

Thor raised his eyebrows, surprised by her response.

"Wounded pride?" he retorted defiantly.

Celina held his gaze.

"No. I just want to start my life over.”

Thor was silent for a few seconds, assessing her.

"I see," he said finally.

But something still bothered him.

"Has your divorce been finalized yet?"

Celina frowned, beginning to feel uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking.

"Not yet."

Thor leaned forward slightly.

"I need someone who is available to travel, and inevitably, you will have to travel alone with me, your boss. Won't that be a problem with your husband?"

Celina swallowed hard when she heard that. The idea of being alone with Thor on trips made her uncomfortable, but her situation left her no room for hesitation.

"Ex-husband," she corrected, seriously. "And no, that won't be a problem."

Thor looked at her once more, as if to make sure her decision was final.

"We have had a deep and passionate conversation before, and you left a comprehensive and lasting impression on me. So I am completely comfortable entrusting you with the job of executive secretary. I just have a few questions that need your answers."

Before she could respond, the door opened abruptly.

"Honey!" a sly voice filled the room.