The Single Dad Missed His Interview to Help a Stranger — She Was the CEO Hiring Him
Chapter 6
The first real crisis happened during the holiday season.
A major supplier failed.
Three Northstar distribution centers were about to run out of critical components.
If deliveries stopped, several major customers would be affected.
The board wanted immediate action.
Michael flew to the affected region.
Victoria joined him.
They worked for forty-eight hours.
No sleep.
No luxury.
Just warehouses, trucks, spreadsheets, and phone calls.
They found alternative suppliers.
Re-routed shipments.
Adjusted production.
The crisis was contained.
Employees praised Michael.
He gave credit to everyone.
Victoria watched.
Afterward, she asked:
“Why didn’t you take credit?”
“I didn’t do it alone.”
“You led.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“A leader who needs all the credit is usually the problem.”
Victoria smiled.
“That’s going in my next board speech.”
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
“People will know it’s not yours.”
They laughed.
That night, they sat outside the warehouse.
Cold air.
Quiet parking lot.
Michael looked exhausted.
Victoria said:
“You need sleep.”
“You too.”
“I’ll sleep.”
“When?”
“Eventually.”
He smiled.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
She looked at him.
“You know what I realized?”
“What?”
“I’m happier when you’re around.”
Michael became quiet.
“So am I.”
They didn’t kiss.
Not yet.
They simply sat together.
The moment was more important than the gesture.
Then Michael’s phone rang.
Lily.
“Dad?”
“I’m here.”
“Are you coming home tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Victoria watched.
The call ended.
Michael smiled.
“She misses me.”
“Of course.”
Victoria looked away.
Something changed inside her.
She wanted that.
A family.
A home.
A person who expected her to come home.
Not because of her title.
Because she was hers.
