Chapter 2 — A Name That Changed Everything
Chapter 2 — A Name That Changed Everything
Ethan Whitmore's expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
"Bennett?" he repeated.
Clara nodded.
"I'm supposed to interview at Whitmore Capital this morning."
She glanced at the clock.
8:34 a.m.
"I guess... I was."
For several seconds, Ethan simply stared at her.
Then his eyes dropped to the résumé folder still tucked beneath her arm.
"You were interviewing with us?"
"Yes."
"And you stayed anyway."
Clara looked down at Lily, who refused to let go of her hand.
"I couldn't leave her."
Ethan took a slow breath.
Most people in Chicago knew his face from business magazines and financial news.
Very few knew that he had lost his wife four years earlier.
Since then, Lily had become the center of his entire world.
The thought of what might have happened if Clara had boarded that train instead...
He couldn't finish the thought.
"You missed your interview because of my daughter."
Clara offered a tired smile.
"I made my choice."
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
"You made the choice every company claims it wants employees to make."
He pulled out his phone.
"Stay here for just a moment."
Within seconds he was speaking with someone on the other end.
"This is Ethan."
His voice became calm but unmistakably authoritative.
"I need Human Resources."
A pause.
Then—
"Who informed Ms. Clara Bennett that helping a lost child made her a no-show?"
Another pause.
His jaw tightened.
"I'll be at the office in twenty minutes."
He ended the call without another word.
May you like
Turning back to Clara, he smiled.
"I believe you still have an interview."
