Chapter 73: The Interview Of Isabella

Next morning

Thomas knocked twice before opening the office door.

"Your appointment is here, sir."

Damon looked up from his phone. "Send her in."

A young woman entered a moment later, carrying a slim folder. She wore a fitted cream blouse beneath a dark blazer, paired with a knee-length skirt and understated heels.

Her long black hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and her makeup was light enough to leave her natural features unchanged.

"Good morning, Mr. Thorne. I’m Isabella Reed. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

She extended her hand.

Damon stood and shook it. "Have a seat, Isabella."

"Thank you."

Thomas closed the door behind her, leaving them alone.

Damon returned to his chair while she settled into the seat across from him. She placed her folder on her lap, waiting for him to begin rather than filling the silence with unnecessary conversation.

He liked that.

"I’ve already looked through your academic records," he said. "Your results are excellent, and your references are good. You haven’t managed a business before, though. Why should I trust you with an agency I’m planning to build from scratch?"

Isabella considered the question briefly.

"I can’t claim to have experience I don’t possess. But I’ve handled university projects, coordinated people, managed deadlines, and dealt with situations where things didn’t go according to plan. I know there will be things I need to learn, and I’m prepared to do that. If you give me responsibility, I’ll make sure I understand the work before making decisions that could affect the business."

"That’s a reasonable answer." Damon leaned back. "Let’s talk about the business itself."

He explained that he intended to establish a talent and lifestyle agency with substantial financial backing.

It would operate in legitimate fields such as fashion, modelling, hospitality, presentation, and related services.

He wanted to recruit attractive women, but appearance alone wouldn’t be enough. Skills, intelligence, knowledge, and potential would matter as well.

Isabella listened without interrupting, occasionally making a note.

"There is another part you should know before accepting this position," Damon continued.

"I enjoy beautiful women. One of my reasons for establishing this agency is that I want to meet more of them. I have a particular preference for women who are inexperienced in relationships, including virgins."

He watched her face as he spoke.

"I don’t intend to pretend this is purely a charitable project. I have my own interests, and I’m being honest about them from the beginning. But the agency will be a real business. Employment, professional opportunities, and personal relationships won’t be treated as the same thing."

For the first time, Isabella seemed genuinely surprised. She lowered her eyes to the folder for a moment, thinking over what he’d told her.

"May I make a suggestion, Mr. Thorne?"

"Go ahead."

"Before we begin recruiting, I think our first priority should be finding a good lawyer."

Damon raised an eyebrow. "A lawyer?"

"Yes. We’ll need properly prepared contracts for employment, training, representation, compensation, confidentiality, and any other services the agency offers. We should also establish clear procedures for recruitment and interviews. If we start bringing people in before those arrangements are settled, we’ll create unnecessary problems for ourselves."

She opened her folder and turned to a blank page.

"I’d also want an accountant to help establish the financial procedures. You have the capital to build this quickly, but that doesn’t mean we should be careless about how the business operates."

Damon studied her for a moment.

"Fair enough," he said. "Find the right people for those positions. Don’t hire someone just because they have an impressive résumé."

"I agree. I’ll compare their experience and references before making recommendations."

"What about recruitment? Where would you begin?"

Isabella thought for a few seconds before answering.

"I’d look for women who have the ability to succeed but lack the resources or connections to get started. University graduates, aspiring models, women with fashion or business knowledge, and people with strong communication skills. Some may have excellent qualifications but little money. Others may have talent without knowing how to turn it into a career."

"And you think they’ll be easier to recruit?"

"Some might be interested in the opportunities we can offer, yes. But I wouldn’t assume that everyone will be suitable just because they need work. We still have to assess their abilities and whether they fit the positions available."

She paused before adding, "If we provide proper training and professional opportunities, we can develop people who might otherwise be overlooked. That gives us a stronger pool of candidates in the long run."

Damon nodded. The approach made sense.

"Good. I want you to put together a recruitment plan after we’ve secured the legal support."

"I can do that."

"One more thing. I don’t want to approve every small decision myself. You’ll have a budget and clear limits on your authority. Within those limits, you should be able to manage the operation without waiting for me to tell you what to do."

"That would make things more efficient," Isabella replied. "As long as the responsibilities and limits are clearly defined, I can work with that."

"Then we understand each other."

Damon picked up a pen and tapped it once against the desk.

"The position is yours, provided you’re satisfied with the terms. You’ll receive a competitive salary, along with bonuses tied to the agency’s performance. Thomas will arrange the employment agreement and coordinate the initial setup."

Isabella’s expression brightened slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. I’d be glad to accept."

"Good. I’ll expect results, but I don’t expect you to build everything overnight. Get the foundations right first."

"I understand."

He pressed the intercom and asked Thomas to come in.

When the butler arrived, Damon instructed him to coordinate with Isabella on the employment paperwork and help her identify suitable legal and accounting professionals. Thomas acknowledged the instructions and promised to assist her.

After a few more minutes discussing the immediate arrangements, Isabella gathered her folder and stood.

"I’ll prepare an initial plan and send it over as soon as possible."

"Make it useful. I don’t need ten pages of impressive language."

She smiled faintly, shook his hand, and left with Thomas.

Damon was satisfied with his choice. She had shown enough practical judgment to earn the position; the rest would depend on how she performed.

He pressed the intercom again.

"Thomas, come back for a moment."

The butler returned shortly afterward.

"Find me a suitable building for the agency. I want enough space for the main office, interview rooms, training facilities, and room to expand."

"What budget should I work with, sir?"

"Don’t worry about the price. Show me the best properties, even if they cost several billions."

Thomas nodded. "I’ll begin the search immediately."

"Good. Bring me the strongest options when you have them."

After Thomas left, Damon picked up his phone again. The interview had gone well, and the next steps were straightforward.

Isabella would handle the agency’s groundwork while Thomas searched for a suitable headquarters.

Damon didn’t need to manage every detail himself. He only needed to choose the right people and give them enough resources to do their jobs.