The boss wanted to help the cleaner with money but found something unexpected in her bag.
A senior executive had intended to secretly assist the cleaner financially, but when he opened her purse, he froze.
James noticed the young cleaning woman sitting in the corner with tear-stained cheeks.
Excuse me, can I help? Whats happened? Has someone upset you? he asked gently.
The girl flinched, quickly wiping her eyes. Sorry for the fuss. Its nothing.
No need to apologize. Are you sure youre alright? James pressed, concerned.
Yes, sorry, I should get back to work, she muttered before hurrying off.
Alone, James frowned. There was no smoke without fire. As he walked to his office, he wondered how he could help her. Then it struck himhe needed to speak with Margaret Whitmore.
Margaret had worked there for years, overseeing the buildings upkeep. James 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 summon you for tea? James joked. Since when does a manager invite a cleaner for a chat?
Margaret chuckled.
Oh, stop it, Mr. Harrington. What did you want to know?
Nobody knows the staff like you, he said, leaning forward. Whats your take on the new cleaner?
Shes a good girl. Hardworking. Life hasnt been kind, but she doesnt complain. What happened?
I saw her crying earlier. Asked her about it, but she left.
Margaret sighed.
She was crying here too. I told her to ignore those posh girlsall lipstick and lashes, no brains. Sophie takes things to heart.
Has someone been bullying her? James frowned. How?
Oh, it started when she first arrived. Those girls dress to impress, but Sophies naturally pretty. They mock her clothes, call her pauper princess, rag queen. No designer shoes, just the same old things.
James was stunned.
Our team has degreeshow is this possible? Are you sure?
Positive. I even warned Sarah to back off, but they find it too amusing.
Is her home situation really that difficult?
Yes. Her mothers ill, cant work, but gets no disability support. Sophie does what she canworks extra shifts, no time for studies.
James was appalled. How could people act this way in this day and age? After thanking Margaret, he sat alone, wrestling with the injustice.
Later, he decided to intervene. Taking all the cash from his wallet, he slipped into the cleaning storeroom.
The cleaners were busy, so he moved quietly. Sophies bag caught his eye. Opening it to leave the money discreetly, he frozea golden cross inside gleamed back at him.
It was impossible. This cross had belonged to his father.
Memories flooded in. Twenty years ago, his mother had fallen gravely ill. Ten-year-old James watched helplessly as his exhausted father rushed her to hospital after hospital, but nothing helped.
That morning, his mother had made breakfast. She seemed better, almost recovereduntil she suddenly collapsed. His father scooped her up, shouting, “Quick, to the car!”
James held her hand in the backseat, silently crying. His father drove recklessly, swerving past traffic. Thena crash. Another car, skidding in panic, flipped.
His father checked the wreck. Inside, a bloodied woman clung to a little girl.
“Help my daughter,” she whispered, grabbing his fathers cross.
“We cantmy wifes dying!” his father snapped, rushing back.
At the hospital, it was too late. His mother was gone. Life split into before and after.
Now, holding that same cross, James felt the past roar back.
“Excuse mewhat are you doing?”
Sophie stood behind him.
Flustered, he blurted, I wanted to give you a bonus. Didnt know how to do it properly. He handed her the money, apologized, and left.
At home, he wrestled for hours before calling his father.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
“Finally getting married?” his father quipped.
“No. Do you remember the day Mum died? The crash?”
His father stiffened.
“I thought youd forgotten.”
“I remember everything. We left them. Mum died in that car.”
“We had no choice.”
“Not even an ambulance? Dad, the girl from that car works for me now. We have to help.”
His father paced, then sighed.
“Why her? That woman was badly hurt. She was doomed.”
“She survivedbut disabled. Her daughter carries everything now. Nineteen years old. Dad, we have to fix this.”
His father turned away.
“James, it wasnt our fault. An inexperienced driver lost control. We never touched their car.”
“I get that. But we can help now. Do you really want her hating us forever?” James stood. “Ive always respected you. Now? Im more disappointed than I was then.”
He left, heart heavy. The man hed idolized felt like a stranger.
When Sophie entered his office later, James truly saw herstunning, despite her plain clothes. No wonder the others envied her.
“Sit down, Sophie,” he said gently. “We need to talk.”
She tensed.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No. Why didnt you go to university?”
She shrugged. “Couldnt afford it. Mums sick.”
“What happened to her?”
“Car crash years ago. Spine injury. Constant pain now. Doctors cant fix it without private care. I work three jobs to save up.”
James exhaled.
“So the crash caused all this?”
“Pretty much.”
His phone ranghis father.
“James, Ive met her. Arranged top specialists at our clinic. Shes a good womanholds no grudge.”
James smiled at Sophie.
“Sophie, Ill cover your tuition. Help you financially.”
“But my mum”
“Is already booked into the best clinic. My father sorted it.”
Her eyes widened.
“Why?”
James rubbed his face.
“I dont know how youll take this but I was in that car. My father was driving. My mum died in the backseat.”
Sophie studied him.
“Thats why you didnt stop?”
“Yes. He wasnt himself. Its no excuse, but let us help now.”
He offered supporteducation, finances. At the door, Sophie paused.
“I get it haunted you. But my mum was a nervous driverjust learned. That day, shed heard my dad was cheating. Panicked, swerved If not you, someone else mightve scared her worse.”
With that, she left.
James breathed freely for the first time in years.
Six months later, he visited his father again.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
“Now what?”
“This time, I really am getting married. Sophies finishing her examswere submitting paperwork.”
The office celebrated, led by Margaret. Sophies mother, now walking unaided after rehab, even danced at the wedding.
The former office bullies couldnt meet Sophies eyes, forced to congratulate her and her new husband.
