Chapter 3 — The Price of Compassion
Chapter 3 — The Price of Compassion
Within fifteen minutes...
The regional director arrived.
Then the head of Human Resources.
Then the company's legal team.
The manager tried to explain.
"I was protecting the brand."
Adrian looked around the boutique.
"No."
"You were protecting appearances."
He pointed toward the employee.
"She protected a child."
He paused.
"Tell me."
"Which one represents our brand?"
No one answered.
Because everyone already knew.
The regional director turned toward the manager.
"Your employment is terminated."
Effective immediately.
She stared in disbelief.
"You can't fire me over one incident!"
Adrian looked at her calmly.
"I'm not firing you because of one incident."
"I'm firing you because your first instinct was to punish kindness."
Security approached.
Ironically...
The same guards she had ordered to remove a frightened little girl now escorted her out of the store.
She left without another word.
Adrian turned back to the employee.
"What is your name?"
"Emma."
"How long have you worked here?"
"Three years."
"And today..."
"You lost your job for doing the right thing."
Emma lowered her eyes.
"I'd do it again."
May you like
Adrian smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
