The boss wanted to help the cleaner with money but found something unexpected in her handbag.
A senior executive had intended to discreetly assist the cleaner financially but was surprised when he discovered something inside her purse.
Oliver noticed the young cleaning girl sitting in the corner with tear-streaked cheeks.
“Excuse me, can I help? Whats wrong? Has someone upset you?” he asked gently.
The girl flinched, quickly wiped her tears, and replied, “Sorry for the trouble. Its nothing.”
“No need to apologise. Are you sure everythings alright?” Oliver pressed with concern.
“Yes, sorry, Ill get back to work,” she answered hurriedly before leaving the room.
Left alone, Oliver muttered to himself, convinced there was more to the story. Walking to his office, he pondered how to help her. Then it struck himhe needed to speak with Margaret Thompson.
Margaret had worked there for years, overseeing housekeeping. Oliver found her number in his contacts and called.
“Good afternoon, Margaret. Could you come to my office in ten minutes?”
Soon, Margaret sat across from him, sipping tea.
“Did I just call you in for tea?” Oliver joked. “Since when does a manager invite the cleaner for a cuppa?”
Margaret chuckled.
“Oh, stop it, Mr. Whitmore. What did you want to know?”
“I have a question for you. Who knows the staff better than you?” he began carefully. “What do you think of the new cleaner?”
“Shes a good girl. Hardworking. Life hasnt been kind, but she doesnt complain. What happened?”
“I saw her crying. Asked her about it, but she rushed off.”
Margaret frowned.
“She cried here too. I told her to ignore those stuck-up girls in the office. All lipstick and no sense. Emily takes things to heart.”
“Someones been bullying her?” Oliver leaned forward. “How?”
“Oh, it started when she first arrived. Our lot are all about designer labels, but Emily? Shes just naturally pretty. They mock her clothes, call her rags and patches. No fancy shoes or handbagssame outfit every day.”
Oliver was stunned.
“Our team has degreeshow is this possible? Are you sure?”
“Positive. I even warned Sarah to back off. But they think its fun.”
“Is her home situation really that difficult?”
“Yes. Her mothers ill but cant get disability. Needs medicine, cant work. Emily does what she can. Bright girl, but no time for school.”
Oliver sat back, troubled. How could people act this way in a modern workplace? After thanking Margaret, he dismissed her, left alone with thoughts of injustice.
Later, Oliver decided to intervene. Taking out his wallet, he headed to the hall where Emily and Margaret were cleaning.
It was late, so he slipped into their storage room quietly. Emilys bag caught his eye. Opening her purse to leave money discreetlyanonymity would spare her pridehe froze.
A glint of gold caught his attentiona cross. It couldnt belong there.
This cross was uniqueit had once been his fathers. A twenty-year-old memory resurfaced. His mother had fallen ill, worsening daily. Ten-year-old Oliver watched helplessly as his exhausted father drove her to doctors, but nothing helped.
That morning, his mother made breakfast. She seemed better, recovery near. But before they left, she turned pale and collapsed. His father, carrying her, shouted,
“Quick, to the carwere going to the hospital!”
Oliver held her hand in the backseat, silently crying. His father sped through traffic, the city close. Then, on a bend, another car swervedtheir faultand crashed.
His father, certain theyd make it, braked hard but caused the other car to flip.
Rushing to it, Oliver saw a six-year-old girl inside. Her mother, bloodied at the wheel, was badly hurt. The girl was unharmed. His father pulled the woman out but hesitated.
She grabbed his fathers necklace, whispering,
“Help my daughter.”
His father recoiled.
“I cantmy wife is dying in that car!”
They drove off. Oliver begged,
“Dad, they need helpsomeone will stop, but we have to hurry!”
Only a broken chain remained on his fathers neck. At the hospital, it was too latehis mothers heart had failed. Life split into before and after.
Now, holding that very cross, Oliver felt time collapse.
Neither he nor his father ever spoke of the crash. Oliver had searched news archives but found nothing.
Thirteen years passed. His father retired, travelling often, visiting his wifes grave. Never remarried.
Oliver became a successful businessman, burying the pastuntil now.
A voice startled him.
“Excuse me, what are you doing?”
He turned to see Emily. He must look absurd holding her purse.
“Sorry, Emily. Thisll sound odd, but I wanted to give you a bonus and didnt know how.” He handed her the cash, apologised, and left quickly.
At home, Oliver deliberated before confronting his father.
“Dad, we need to talk,” he began, sitting beside him.
Alexander Whitmore raised a brow.
“Finally getting married?”
“No, Dad. Remember the day we took Mum to hospitalthe crash?”
His father stiffened.
“I thought youd forgotten.”
“I remember everything. We didnt help them, and Mum died in that car.”
“Oliver, we had no choice.”
“We didnt even call an ambulance. Dad, the girl from that car works for me now. We have to help.”
His father paced, then turned.
“How do you know its her?”
Oliver recounted the days events.
“You think I havent thought about that day? That woman was a wreck. She was doomed.”
“She survived but was disabled. Her daughter carries everythingshes only nineteen. Dad, we have to fix this.”
Alexander met his sons gaze.
“Disabled or not, its the past. We werent at fault. An inexperienced driver panickedwe never touched their car.”
“I get that. But heres a chance to make it right. Do you want someone hating you forever?” Oliver stood. “Ive always respected you. Now? Im more disappointed than I was back thenbecause now you couldve changed things.”
He left, heart heavy. The father hed idolised now felt like a stranger.
When Emily entered his office later, Oliver truly saw her beauty for the first time. No wonder the others were jealous.
“Sit down, Emily,” he offered. “We have a lot to discuss.”
She looked nervous.
“Have I done something wrong?”
“No, its alright.” He placed a coffee before her. “Emily, why didnt you go to university?”
She shrugged.
“Couldnt manage it. Mums been poorly.”
“Whats wrong with her?”
“There was an accident years ago. Something with her spine. Pain comes and goes, now constant. Doctors cant figure it outwe cant afford private care. I save what I can. Besides cleaning here, I do night security and stairwells. Moneys tight, but I try.”
Oliver walked to the window, lost in thought.
“So the accident caused all this?”
“Pretty much,” she nodded.
Returning to his desk, his phone ranghis father.
“Just a moment.”
His fathers voice was unsteady.
“Oliver, Ive met her. We talked. Im arranging her treatment at our clinictop specialists. Shes a good womanholds no grudge. Ill explain later.”
Oliver smiled at Emily.
“Emily, I want to help properly. Ill sort your education and finances.”
“But I cant studymy mum”
“Your mothers being seen at an excellent clinic. My dad arranged it.”
Her eyes widened.
“Why? Why would you do this?”
Oliver rubbed his face.
“I dont know how youll take this, butI was in that car that hit you. My father was driving; my mother died in the back. We were in a hurryshe was unconscious.”
Emily studied him.
“So thats why you didnt stop?”
“Yes. My father wasnt himself. Its no excuse, but let us help now. Ill do everything to change your life.”
He offered support in every way. At the door, Emily turned.
“I get its haunted you. But maybe your father needs this. Mum was new to drivingrarely did. That day, someone called saying Dad was with another woman. She panicked, took the wheel If not you, someone else mightve scared her.” She left.
Oliver exhaleda weight lifted. Hed helped Emily, her mother. His conscience was clear.
Six months later, Oliver visited his father again.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
“What now?”
“This time, I really am getting married. Emilys finishing her termwere filing
