Chapter 3: The Test
The receptionist dropped to her knees.
"Mr. Bennett... please."
"I didn't know."
"I have bills."
"I was having a bad day."
Walter looked at her quietly.
"No."
"You were having a bad character."
Silence.
The words hit harder than any scream.
The salon manager rushed from his office after hearing the commotion.
The moment he recognized Walter...
his face drained of color.
"Sir..."
Walter held up a hand.
"Don't."
He turned toward the stylist.
"What's your name?"
"Daniel."
"How long have you worked here?"
"Seven years."
"Were you always like this?"
Daniel looked embarrassed.
"My father lost everything when I was sixteen."
"People judged him before they ever spoke to him."
"I promised myself..."
"...I'd never become one of those people."
Walter smiled for the first time.
A real smile.
"I was hoping someone here still believed that."
He faced the manager.
"Fire anyone who laughed."
"Anyone who humiliated a customer."
"And anyone who forgot why this company exists."
The receptionist burst into tears.
"I'm sorry..."
Walter gently shook his head.
"Being sorry after getting caught isn't the same as being kind."
Then he handed the envelope to Daniel.
"I've already signed everything."
Daniel stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
Walter smiled.
"You've been the new majority owner since yesterday."
The entire salon gasped.
"What?"
"I... I can't accept this."
Walter chuckled.
May you like
"You already did."
"The moment you touched my shoulder instead of judging my clothes."
