I froze in amazement. The floor beneath me gleamed brighter than anything I had ever seen.

It wasn’t marble, it wasn’t tiles. It was gold. Pure gold, polished so carefully that I could see my own reflection staring back at me.

My mouth parted slightly. Who builds a company on a floor made of gold?

As I stood there, stunned, a guard in a different attire approached me.

Unlike the others in plain royal uniforms, this one wore a sleek black suit with silver buttons and the crest of the Knight family embroidered on his chest.

His gloves were white, his movements precise and sharp. He looked less like security and more like a commander.

“This way,” he said firmly, his voice deep.

I followed, clutching my little bag tightly against me. My heels clicked against the golden floor as we walked deeper inside.

It was then I realized the building wasn’t just a company headquarters.

The mansion I had seen from outside wasn’t a mansion at all, it was a skyscraper. A towering empire reaching into the clouds.

I had always heard news about the Prince’s company, but I had never been here before.

And to think he owned over fifteen more companies like this? My chest tightened.

Inside, every floor was boldly labeled in shining letters.

Knight Luxe Hotels & Resorts — Level One.

The walls were painted ivory and gold, with crystal chandeliers dangling like captured stars.

Knight Luxe Fashion — Level Two.

This floor blazed with color—scarlet, emerald, sapphire. Mannequins dressed in gowns worth more than my entire life stared back at me.

Knight Luxe Jewelry — Level Three.

The air sparkled here. Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds glittered under soft white lights. I had never seen so much wealth in one place.

And this was just the beginning.

My head spun.

I closed my eyes until we reached the elevator, gasping for breath. My legs were sore in my heels, but the guard didn’t even notice. He was used to this.

CCTV cameras followed me from every corner, sleek and expensive designs that made me swallow nervously.

He pressed a button. The doors opened.

And suddenly, I was facing a massive audience.

The place looked more like a grand auditorium. Hundreds of people filled the seats, with guards lining the walls.

The scent of freshly baked meat pies wafted through the air, making my stomach growl.

The floor here was made of crystal-clear glass, and beneath it I could see the whole of New York. Cars moved like ants, and I had to compose myself to keep from fainting.

The guard gave me a sharp look, then pointed at the last empty seat.

I felt hundreds of eyes on me as I hurried over, cheeks burning. A well-dressed woman approached and handed me a badge.

No. 200.

Her perfume was so strong and expensive, I was sure it could buy an iphone. And this was just a worker.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I pinned the badge to my dress.

Would I really meet the prince? I had only seen him once in the news

I noticed a lot of people staring at me, so I turned to the girl sitting beside me.

Her badge read No. 199.

“Hi,” I greeted nervously.

She didn’t respond. She just kept her eyes fixed on the front, her posture stiff.

I sighed in embarrassment and faced forward too, pretending I didn’t care.

Maybe they were staring because they didn’t expect a last-minute replacement like me. A “cute replacement,” as some might say.

Still, I hoped the fainted girl was okay.

Soon, a woman walked gracefully onto the golden stage. She held a microphone close to her lips, and I realized there were speakers placed all around us.

“I want you all to be reassured,” she began, her voice strong, “that Miss Morgan Smith is currently receiving treatment in the company’s hospital.”

My eyebrows shot up. The company has a hospital too?

“It was simply fatigue. She’ll be fine. But remember anyone who wishes to serve as the Prince’s personal assistant must be very healthy.”

I swallowed hard. So the job was to be his P.A?

“Now let’s begin. Contestant Number One,” she called, and a young guy stood up. Two guards in a different uniform than the rest escorted him away.

I sighed and settled into my chair. This was going to take forever. I started playing a game to kill time

The process dragged on. Names, numbers, files, escorts. My eyelids grew heavy, my head dizzy, but I forced myself to stay awake.

By the time the woman’s voice rang out again, my patience was hanging by a thread.

“Contestant Number Two Hundred.”

I jolted upright and followed the waiting guards

They led me to a private office. A man in a polished suit sat behind the desk, a serious expression on his face.

I bowed, pressing a hand to my collarbone, the respectful gesture my mother had drilled into me.

“Please, sit,” he said flatly. And I rolled my eyes, gosh, I hope I'll be able to tolerate his attitude

I handed over my credentials. He scanned them carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly, before finally speaking.

“Miss Calista Vaughn,” he said, his tone cool. “And why do you think you deserve this prestigious position?”

I steadied my breathing and lifted my chin. “Because I have a good knowledge of fashion and luxurious items,” I replied confidently. “And I know a lot about royal etiquette.” I added

I didn’t stutter. Not even once.

The man’s lips curved faintly, the closest thing to approval.

“What I see here,” he muttered, still studying my documents, “is… quite impressive.”

I bowed again, hiding the small smile tugging at my lips.

“We’ll get to you soon,” the man said.

I sighed inwardly. That was usually what people said when they didn’t plan on accepting you.

“Please do so,” I replied, letting a cold smile curve my lips. “Because you’ll be losing an important worker if you don’t.”

His eyes widened slightly, surprised by my boldness.

I placed a hand over my collarbone in the respectful gesture once more, then turned with a little catwalk toward the door.

“I really mean it, sir. It was nice meeting you.”

With that, I shut the door firmly behind me.

My heart raced, but a small thrill spread through me. I think I did well.

He looked shocked maybe even intrigued. Did he expect me to shiver and stutter just because he was a royal worker?

The guards escorted me back to the elevator. I closed my eyes again, not wanting to stare at all the gold, crystal, and diamonds that would only make my head spin.

When I opened them, the door had already slid open.

One of the guards gave me a respectful bow. My breath caught, I had never been bowed to in my life. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Awkwardly, I returned the gesture before walking toward the enormous main doors.

I remembered seeing them earlier when I first arrived.

This time, I walked out through them, past the tall gates, smiling politely at the guards stationed there.

With no money left for a cab, I slipped off my heels and began to walk barefoot down the street.

The hot pavement burned my feet, my legs ached, and my skin felt raw, but I kept going with my gaze to the floor, I wasn't even looking at where I was going.

Until my vision blurred.

A loud car horn blared, sharp and sudden.

Then strong arms wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me before I could hit the ground.