Chapter 3 An Offer Too Good to Be True

The rejection lingered in Avery Wellesley's mind long after she left the Grand Crescent Hotel.

No matter how hard she tried to focus on something else, Sandra's apologetic expression kept replaying in her thoughts.

"Avery, I don't think you're the right fit for the administrative position."

The words had been delivered kindly, but they hurt nonetheless.

Kindness did not soften disappointment.

Kindness did not pay debts.

Kindness certainly did not stop a bank from foreclosing on a house.

The evening sun filtered through the curtains of Avery's small living room, painting golden patterns across the worn furniture. The house felt unusually quiet.

Too quiet.

Ever since her mother's death, silence had become something she feared.

There were no more cheerful greetings from the kitchen.

No more reminders to eat.

No more gentle lectures about working too hard.

The house that had once been filled with warmth now felt like a museum of memories.

Avery sat curled up on the couch, staring blankly at the coffee table.

Across from her sat Jessica Hale.

If there was one bright spot in her life, it was Jessica.

The two women had been inseparable since college. Through heartbreaks, examinations, financial struggles, and family problems, Jessica had remained steadfastly by her side.

Now, she was once again trying to hold Avery together.

Jessica draped an arm around her shoulders.

"Hey," she said softly. "It's going to be okay."

Avery released a bitter laugh.

"Is it?"

Jessica gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"We'll figure something out."

Avery lowered her gaze.

The truth was that she no longer knew what to believe.

She had spent years caring for her mother.

Years balancing work, school, hospital visits, and mounting debt.

Every decision she had made was meant to save the woman who had raised her.

Yet despite all her sacrifices, her mother was gone.

And now all that remained were the bills.

The endless, terrifying bills.

"I feel like I'm failing," Avery admitted quietly.

Jessica frowned.

"You are not failing."

"It feels like I am."

Her voice trembled.

"I couldn't save my mother. I can't pay these debts. I can't find a better job. Every time I think things might improve, something else goes wrong."

Jessica's expression softened.

"Ave, you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders for years. Anyone would be struggling."

Avery looked away.

The sympathy only made her emotions harder to control.

For several moments, silence settled between them.

The ticking wall clock echoed through the room.

Outside, distant traffic drifted through the open window.

Then Avery's phone buzzed.

The sound instantly tightened every muscle in her body.

Her heart sank.

Slowly, she reached for the device.

The notification glowed on the screen.

QUICKCASH LOANS

FINAL PAYMENT REMINDER

A cold wave of panic swept through her.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Jessica immediately noticed the change in her expression.

"What happened?"

Avery swallowed hard.

"The loan company."

Jessica sighed heavily.

Another reminder.

Another threat.

Another deadline.

The collection agency had become a constant nightmare.

Every day brought a new warning.

Every day brought another demand for money she did not have.

"They said the first installment is due by the end of the month," Avery whispered.

Her throat tightened.

"If I don't pay, they'll begin recovery proceedings."

Jessica already knew what that meant.

The house.

The only thing Avery had left.

The home filled with memories of her mother.

Avery's eyes burned.

"I tried selling it," she said. "But the offers were ridiculous. They're practically trying to steal it from me."

The tears finally escaped.

She lowered her head.

Exhaustion and grief crashed over her simultaneously.

For weeks she had remained strong.

For weeks she had forced herself to keep moving.

Now she simply felt tired.

Jessica immediately wrapped her arms around her.

The familiar embrace offered comfort Avery desperately needed.

"We'll find a way."

Avery shook her head.

"I don't know how."

"We will."

Jessica's voice carried absolute certainty.

Avery wished she possessed even half of that confidence.

After several minutes, Jessica gently pulled away.

"Let's look at what we have."

Avery frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Jessica glanced around the room.

"Assets. Valuables. Anything we can sell."

Hope was slim.

Still, it was something.

Avery disappeared into her bedroom and returned carrying a small wooden box.

The box had belonged to her mother.

Carefully, she placed it on the coffee table.

Opening it felt strangely emotional.

Inside rested several pieces of jewelry accumulated over decades.

Some belonged to Mrs. Wellesley.

Others were gifts Avery had received over the years.

Gold necklaces.

Silver bracelets.

Vintage earrings.

A few antique pieces passed down through generations.

Jessica's eyes widened.

"Ave, some of these are gorgeous."

Avery smiled sadly.

"My mother loved jewelry."

Jessica carefully picked up an antique brooch.

"This might be worth something."

For the next twenty minutes, they sorted through the collection.

Although several pieces held decent value, the final conclusion remained disappointing.

It wouldn't be enough.

The realization settled heavily over the room.

Avery leaned back against the couch.

Defeat threatened to consume her once again.

"I'll have to ask Jack for a salary advance."

The moment the words left her mouth, Jessica's expression darkened.

"Absolutely not."

Avery sighed.

"I may not have a choice."

"You know exactly what he'll expect in return."

Avery rubbed her temples.

Of course she knew.

Jack never did anything out of kindness.

Every favor came with strings attached.

Every opportunity came with hidden expectations.

The thought alone made her skin crawl.

"He's married," Jessica said angrily. "The man has a wife and children, yet he spends half his time harassing female employees."

Avery stared at the floor.

Unfortunately, moral outrage did not solve financial problems.

"I just need enough money to buy some time."

Jessica reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

"No."

Avery looked up.

Jessica's expression was firm.

"I'll help you."

"You already do too much."

"I don't care."

Jessica squeezed her fingers.

"I have savings. I'll lend you some money."

Avery immediately shook her head.

"I can't ask that of you."

"You didn't ask."

Jessica smiled.

"I'm offering."

Emotion tightened Avery's chest.

She did not know how she had gotten lucky enough to deserve a friend like Jessica.

"Thank you."

Before Jessica could respond, Avery's phone rang.

Both women looked toward the screen.

An unfamiliar number appeared.

Instantly, Avery's anxiety returned.

"The loan company again."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"They're becoming obsessed."

The phone continued ringing.

Neither woman moved.

Finally, Jessica grabbed it.

"If it's them, I'll handle it."

Before Avery could protest, Jessica answered and activated speaker mode.

"Hello?"

A brief pause followed.

Then a calm male voice responded.

"Good evening. May I speak with Miss Avery Wellesley?"

The voice sounded professional.

Polished.

Nothing like the aggressive loan officers who usually called.

Avery cautiously took the phone.

"This is Avery."

"Excellent. My name is Simon Stone. I'm calling from Ravenwood Enterprises."

Jessica's eyes widened.

Avery frowned.

The name sounded familiar.

Everyone in Tenebrous City knew Ravenwood Enterprises.

It was one of the largest corporate empires in the country.

"This is regarding a job opportunity."

Avery blinked.

"A job opportunity?"

"Yes."

Simon sounded perfectly serious.

"We would like to offer you the position of Executive Assistant to our Managing Director."

The room became silent.

Avery stared at the phone.

Jessica stared at Avery.

Neither woman spoke.

Simon continued.

"The starting salary is ten thousand dollars per month, along with additional benefits."

Jessica nearly fell off the couch.

Her mouth dropped open.

Her eyes practically sparkled.

Avery, however, felt immediate suspicion.

A salary that large was life-changing.

No company randomly offered positions like that.

Especially not to someone who had never applied.

"I'm sorry," Avery said slowly. "I think you've called the wrong person."

"There is no mistake."

"I'm certain there is."

Simon sounded amused.

"Miss Wellesley, we reviewed your qualifications."

Avery frowned.

"How?"

"We received your resume through a referral."

That only increased her suspicion.

She exchanged a glance with Jessica.

Her friend was silently mouthing the words say yes while making frantic gestures.

Avery ignored her.

Scammers were becoming increasingly sophisticated these days.

"What's the catch?" she asked.

"There is no catch."

"There is always a catch."

Simon chuckled.

"There really isn't."

Avery folded her arms.

"How much do I have to pay?"

A brief silence followed.

"Pay?"

"For processing fees. Registration fees. Training fees. Whatever scam you're running."

Simon sounded genuinely confused.

"Miss Wellesley, no payment is required."

Avery was unconvinced.

"That's exactly what a scammer would say."

Across the city, Simon stared at his phone in disbelief.

"What?"

"I don't have money to send you."

Jessica buried her face in her hands.

Simon blinked.

"We aren't asking for money."

"Good."

Avery nodded firmly.

"Then stop wasting your time and mine."

Before he could respond, she ended the call.

The room fell silent.

Jessica stared at her.

Avery stared back.

Several seconds passed.

Then Jessica exploded.

"You did what?"

Avery calmly placed the phone on the table.

"I hung up."

"I saw that!"

Jessica threw both hands into the air.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because it was obviously a scam."

Jessica looked as though she might cry.

"Ave, that was Ravenwood Enterprises!"

"Exactly."

Jessica groaned dramatically.

"Do you know how many people would kill for an interview there?"

Avery hesitated.

For the first time, uncertainty crept into her thoughts.

What if Jessica was right?

What if it wasn't a scam?

Could something that incredible actually happen to someone like her?

Before she could decide, the phone rang again.

Both women jumped.

The same number flashed across the screen.

Neither of them noticed that several miles away, inside a sleek black SUV, Alexander Ravenswood was listening to every word.

His expression remained unreadable.

Yet internally, he was baffled.

Most people practically begged for opportunities to work for him.

Avery Wellesley had hung up.

Twice.

Meanwhile, Leo was becoming impossible to control.

The wolf paced restlessly inside his mind.

Mine.

Alex clenched his jaw.

The possessive growl echoed through his consciousness again.

Mine.

He had never seen his wolf react this way.

Not once.

Not to anyone.

Simon lowered the phone.

"She thinks we're scammers."

For a moment, silence filled the vehicle.

Then Alex leaned back in his seat.

A thoughtful scowl appeared on his face.

"Interesting."

Simon glanced over.

"Interesting?"

"Most people hear the name Ravenwood Enterprises and immediately say yes."

"True."

Alex stared out the window.

The city lights blurred past.

Perhaps her suspicion was understandable.

Or perhaps she was hiding something.

His instincts urged caution.

The symbol.

The Orb.

The impossible reaction from his wolf.

Nothing about Avery Wellesley felt ordinary.

"Continue investigating," Alex ordered.

Simon nodded.

"How deep do you want me to go?"

Alex's gaze hardened.

"Everything."

Simon's expression grew serious.

"Understood."

Alex looked once more at Avery's photograph displayed on the tablet.

The strange pull returned immediately.

His wolf growled possessively.

Mine.

This time, Alex did not argue.

Instead, he found himself wondering whether the mysterious woman was simply desperate and cautious...

Or whether she was hiding secrets capable of changing both their lives forever.

And somewhere deep inside, a dangerous feeling told him that meeting Avery Wellesley was no accident at all.