Jasmine’s heart slammed against her ribs. Ethan Caldwell? The owner? The man splashed across business magazines as the “Golden Bachelor” and Wall Street’s favorite shark?
This had to be a mistake. Or a cruel prank.
“Mr. Caldwell?” she asked, her voice trembling. “For what?”
“For an interview, ma’am. Don’t be late.”
The call ended.
Jasmine stared at her phone, stunned. Fear and hope tangled inside her. She knew this was her last chance—the lifeline she needed before everything sank. But she also knew she was being called straight into the mouth of the wolf, to the top of the glass tower that had just spat her out.
When she reached her small apartment, the smell of warm soup and medicine wrapped around her. Her mother coughed from the bedroom, but smiled when she saw Jasmine.
“How did it go, sweetheart?”
Jasmine drew a slow breath, swallowing the fear. “I have another interview tomorrow, Mom. With the owner.”
Rose’s eyes lit up. Despite the illness draining her strength, she pushed herself up and shuffled to an old wooden closet.
“Then you need this,” she said, pulling out a garment bag. “It belonged to your Aunt Diane. I saved it for something special. I think that day is today.”