Chapter 2: A Debt No Fortune Could Repay
Chapter 2: A Debt No Fortune Could Repay
Twenty minutes later...
Every employee stood in the boutique's private conference room.
Corporate headquarters had joined by video call.
The regional director looked pale.
Very pale.
"Mr. Rossi..."
"We've been informed of the incident."
Lorenzo remained standing beside Mia.
"I don't own this company."
"No, sir."
"I don't manage your employees."
"No, sir."
"So your decision is your own."
The executives exchanged nervous looks.
Within sixty seconds...
Brenda Wallace's employment was terminated.
Effective immediately.
Her employee access vanished.
Her company phone was disabled.
Security escorted her from the building before she could collect her office belongings.
As the doors closed behind her, she looked back at Karen with burning hatred.
"This isn't over."
Karen said nothing.
She had already lost too much in life to fear empty threats.
When the room emptied, Lorenzo approached her once more.
"My assistant investigated while we were waiting."
Karen frowned.
"My finances?"
"The overdue rent."
"The hospital debt."
"Your sister's university tuition."
Karen's face went white.
"How do you know that?"
"I asked."
His answer was painfully simple.
Karen stiffened.
"I don't accept charity."
A faint smile crossed Lorenzo's face.
"I wasn't offering charity."
He handed her a business card.
"I was offering employment."
Karen stared at the card.
Executive Director.
Rossi Children's Foundation.
Salary...
Nearly five times what she currently earned.
Benefits.
Housing assistance.
Educational grants.
Medical coverage.
She looked back up.
"There must be someone more qualified."
"There probably is."
"Then why me?"
Lorenzo glanced toward Mia.
"My daughter spent forty-seven minutes alone today."
"Forty-six people walked past her."
"One stopped."
He met Karen's eyes.
"I hire character."
"Skills can be taught."
"Kindness cannot."
Karen's throat tightened.
No one had ever valued her simply for being kind.
Tears threatened to fall.
"I... need time."
Lorenzo nodded.
"You have twenty-four hours."
He turned to leave.
Then paused.
"Oh..."
"My daughter has one request."
Mia smiled shyly.
"I hope you'll say yes."
Karen couldn't stop smiling back.
"For what?"
May you like
Mia held out her tiny hand.
"Will you have dinner with us tonight?"
