The email arrived at exactly 7:32 a.m.
Subject: Internship Confirmation – KnightTech Group.
Kadri stared at it for another second, blinking twice just to be sure it was real.
Then she screamed.
Her roommate, Lola, bolted upright in bed, face halfway buried in a pineapple-print duvet. "Did you win a lotto?"
"This is more than winning a lotto," Kadri said breathlessly, jumping off the bed and spinning in a half-circle. "I got in. I actually got in. KnightTech picked me!"
Lola groaned and flopped back down. "Please tell me you're not talking about that internship you applied for, the one where interns cry in the bathroom and send out 'Save Me' tweets in Morse code."
Kadri clutched her phone to her chest. "That's the one."
KnightTech Group isn't just a tech company. It's a tech company. Industry leaders, international reach, and a boss so famously strict. He was referred to as The Iron King in business forums.
Andrew Knight. CEO. Genius. Tyrant. Gorgeous, in a dangerous, icy sort of way.
Kadri had heard all the rumors. Interns fainting in meetings. Full-time staffers quitting over emails. A woman once got fired for accidentally liking his gym selfie post on Instagram.
But this was her dream. Her resume would glow for decades with that one golden line: "Interned at KnightTech Group."
"I'll survive," Kadri said confidently, reaching for her notebook. "If he's a tyrant, then I'll be the rebel."
Lola peeked one eye open. "Please don't get sued o."
"I won't. I'll charm him," Kadri said, already picturing her first day. "Smart. Sassy. Unstoppable."
Lola tossed a pillow at her. "Girl, you're lucky I love you. Go make history. Just don't die before finals."
One Week Later. Kadri's heels clicked smartly against the marble floor of KnightTech's towering headquarters.
She wore her best outfit, a navy-blue pencil skirt, a crisp white blouse, and just enough confidence to keep her knees from knocking. Her curly hair was pulled into a high puff, and she carried a tote bag that contained snacks, hand sanitizer, writing pen, a small jotter, and three copies of her resume. Just in case.
She took a deep breath in front of the mirrored elevator.
"This is it," she whispered to her reflection. "You're not just another intern. You're the intern who gets remembered."
The elevator door slid open. Inside stood a tall man in a sleek charcoal suit, tie straight, jaw sharper than reason. He didn't acknowledge her, but Kadri stepped in anyway, offering a polite nod.
The air between them was silent and thick.
She cleared her throat. "You're dressed smart" she complimented. He turned slowly, eyes tucked in dark glasses.
"No talking," he said flatly.
Kadri blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I don't do elevator small talk," he replied
She narrowed her eyes. "Right. Sorry, Your Majesty."
The corner of his mouth twitched, but he said nothing. The elevator dinged.
As she stepped off on the 2nd floor, she shook her head. "What a peach. That guy, so proud."
Ten minutes later, during the intern orientation, she almost choked on her coffee when the same Man walked into the room, with clipboard in hand.
The HR rep clapped her hands nervously. "Everyone, please welcome your internship supervisor—Mr. Andrew Knight."
Kadri's mouth went dry. She'd just sassed the CEO. Of course.