CHAPTER 2: The Price of Compassion
Marco Bellini's question hung in the air like a storm cloud.
"Who fired her?"
No one answered.
Not because they didn't know.
Because they suddenly wished they didn't.
Cynthia Graves felt every eye in the showroom turn toward her.
She forced a nervous smile.
"Mr. Bellini, I can explain."
Marco slowly stood up, holding Sophie's hand.
His expression revealed nothing.
That made him even more terrifying.
"You fired the woman who helped my daughter?"
Cynthia cleared her throat.
"She violated company policy."
Marco looked down at Sophie.
The little girl was still wrapped in the velvet blanket.
Still trembling.
Still recovering.
Then he looked back at Cynthia.
"And your policy is to punish kindness?"
"No, sir, but—"
"Did my daughter damage anything?"
"No."
"Did she hurt anyone?"
"No."
"Then the only person who acted correctly in this building was Emily Parker."
The room became silent.
Marco turned toward Emily.
"What is your salary here?"
Emily blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Your salary."
She quietly told him.
Several customers gasped.
The amount was embarrassingly low.
Marco nodded slowly.
Then he reached into his jacket and handed Emily a business card.
"Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock."
Emily stared at the card.
Bellini Foundation.
Executive Office.
Before she could respond, Marco turned to Cynthia.
"You fired the wrong person."
Then he walked out with Sophie.
The bodyguards followed.
May you like
The showroom remained frozen long after he was gone.
And Cynthia suddenly realized she had just made an enemy she could never afford.
