Tamed by the Billionaire

Chapter 1 – The Interview

The rain crashed against the sidewalk like it wanted to drown the entire city. Natalia Rivers pulled her coat tighter around her soaked body as she stepped into the gleaming, glass-wrapped tower of Valente Corporation. Her hair was frizzy, her boots squished, and she hadn’t eaten since the night before—but none of that mattered.

She was here. She had a shot.

The receptionist barely looked up. “Fifty-seventh floor. Last office on the right. You’re two minutes late.”

Natalia pressed her lips together. Not the first impression she wanted to make. She stepped into the private elevator, alone, watching herself in the mirrored walls. Her eyes were too tired. Her blazer was too big. Her résumé wasn’t impressive.

But she had grit. And hunger. And fire.

The elevator chimed softly as it opened.

The top floor of Valente Tower was silent. The lights were dim, the floors were marble, and the entire place smelled like power and polished money. Natalia walked slowly toward the final door, heart hammering.

She raised her hand to knock—then the door opened.

Darian Valente stood like a phantom in a three-piece charcoal suit. No tie. Shirt open at the collar. Tall, broad-shouldered, with the air of a man who had conquered more than he had been given. His dark eyes landed on her like she was something to study. Maybe devour.

“You’re late,” he said without emotion.

Natalia swallowed hard. “Only by—”

“Three minutes,” he interrupted, walking back toward his desk. “And time is the only thing I value more than control.”

She hesitated. “I’m sorry, Mr. Valente.”

“You will be, if you waste any more of it,” he replied, settling into his chair. “Sit.”

She crossed the sleek office, her heels clicking softly. The chair across from him was too soft, too low—it made her feel small. She hated it.

He scanned her file without looking at her.

“You don’t come from much,” he said flatly.

“I come from enough,” she replied, lifting her chin.

He finally looked up, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in his gaze. Amusement? Curiosity?

“You’ve got no family backing. Average grades. No prior experience in corporate law. Why should I hire you?”

“Because I don’t quit,” she said, voice steady. “I’ve worked eighteen-hour shifts to pay my brother’s medical bills. I’ve waited tables. Cleaned offices. I taught myself to read contracts. I don’t ask for chances—I take them.”

Darian leaned back in his chair, watching her.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

She couldn’t read his face. Was he impressed? Amused? Testing her?

He stood and walked slowly around the desk. She didn’t move, though her heart pounded harder with every step he took. He stopped in front of her, towering over her seated frame.

“You’re hungry,” he said. “That’s dangerous. Hungry people make moves without thinking.”

“I think plenty,” she said quietly.

He smirked then—just barely.

“Starting tomorrow,” he said, voice dropping, “you’ll be working directly under me.”

Her breath caught.

“I don’t usually give rookies this kind of access. But I like chaos. And you look like a storm.”

His fingers brushed her portfolio on the desk, but his eyes never left hers.

“You’re dismissed,” he said.

Natalia stood, legs stiff. She reached the door before he spoke again.

“One more thing.”

She turned slowly.

“You belong to me now, Miss Rivers. Show up. Or don’t show up again at all.”