Page 2 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss

And I don’t care.

The job needs to get done.

The company is expanding, and I need precision, efficiency, and absolute reliability. Not fragile egos or complaints aboutwork-life balance.

“Loosen up, Khanner,” Urul teases, pouring himself another drink. Clearly I am the only one not drinking at a work function, I long for my espresso. “If you don’t ease up, the company will collapse under your iron grip.”

“If I loosen up,” I counter, “you and Royce will bankrupt the company with your antics.”

Urul grins. “Touché.”

A sharp chime from the overhead system signals the next phase of the morning’s agenda, and the easy humor in the room shifts into something more serious.

The Boardroom Program.

Vormugh Enterprises is expanding. Rapidly. Integrating human talent into our Otherkin-dominated divisions is part of the long-term strategy. If we want to strengthen our position beyond the Rift, we need fresh perspectives. New talent.

That’s why we are here.

We have thirty candidates to evaluate, all eager to prove they have what it takes to survive in a world where monsters set the rules.

I steeple my fingers as the first of them steps forward, their polished résumé flashing onto the display wall.

I already don’t trust them.

And I haven’t even heard them speak yet.

Every single candidate we’ve interviewed today has been a disaster.

I fold my arms as the current hopeful stammers through their answer, eyes darting toward me like they want the ground to swallow them whole.

Not surprising.

They’re lying.

I meet Urul’s gaze across the table. He knows it, too.

Royce exhales through his nose, already setting his clipboard down. We’ve wasted enough time.

Time to end their misery.

I press my fingers against the sleek interface of my tablet and swipe.

“Thank you for your time.”

The interview is over.

I barely hear their protests as security ushers them out.

I need competent staff.

I don’t need liars.

I should be more irritated about the disastrous state of these interviews, but the truth is—I’m still annoyed about my assistant quitting.

More specifically, about having to waste my time finding a new one.

I send a brief message to my Senior Administrative Manager, instructing her to put out a hiring call.

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