The CEO Shoved an Elderly Woman Asking for Bread—Then Learned She Owned the Company
Chapter 8
Victoria left the boardroom in silence.
Her heels struck the marble floor.
Behind her, the doors closed.
She walked into the elevator.
Only when the doors shut did her composure disappear.
She slammed her palm against the wall.
“This isn’t over.”
Daniel stepped into the elevator before the doors closed completely.
Victoria glared at him.
“You’re going to defend her?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To tell you the truth.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You think you’re better than me?”
“No.”
Daniel looked at the floor.
“I think I was too afraid.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“I knew about some of the things happening.”
Victoria stared at him.
“I didn’t know everything.”
“But you knew enough.”
Daniel nodded.
“I should have spoken earlier.”
Victoria looked away.
“Everyone wants someone to blame.”
“No.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Margaret wants the company fixed.”
The elevator opened.
Victoria walked out.
Daniel stayed behind.
That afternoon, Margaret returned to the cafeteria.
She ordered soup.
The cafeteria worker recognized her.
“Mrs. Whitmore.”
Margaret smiled.
“Just Margaret.”
The woman laughed nervously.
“I can’t call you that.”
“Then call me hungry.”
They both laughed.
Margaret sat at a small table.
Emily approached.
“Can I sit with you?”
“Of course.”
Emily sat down.
“I thought I was going to lose my job.”
“I know.”
“Why did you help me?”
Margaret looked at her.
“Because you helped me first.”
“With crackers?”
“With kindness.”
Margaret broke the loaf of bread in half.
She gave one piece to Emily.
“Never underestimate something small.”
Emily smiled.
Margaret looked around the cafeteria.
Employees were eating.
Some laughed.
Some whispered.
For the first time in years, Margaret felt something she hadn’t felt in her own headquarters.
Peace.
But then Samuel entered.
He looked serious.
“Margaret.”
She stood.
“What happened?”
“We found something.”
