The manager wanted to discreetly give some money to the cleaner to support her but stumbled upon something unexpected in her bag.

Oliver spotted a young cleaning lady seated in a corner, her face stained with tears.

“Hey, is everything alright? Can I help you?” he asked softly.

The girl flinched, quickly drying her eyes, and replied, “I’m sorry for the trouble. I’m fine.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Are you really okay?” Oliver pressed gently, concerned for her wellbeing.

“Yes, I’m sorry, I’ll just return to work,” she answered hurriedly before making her exit.

Left alone, Oliver shrugged, thinking there must be a reason for her distress. As he made his way to his office, he mulled over how to assist her. It was only in the office that he threw his head back in amusement, remembering of course, there was Susan Brown.

Susan had been with the company for years and ensured everything ran smoothly. Oliver quickly found her number in his contacts and gave her a call.

“Good afternoon, Susan. Could you come to my office in about ten minutes?”

A short while later, Susan was seated in his office, sipping a cup of tea.

“Did you just call me in for tea?” Oliver teased. “What’s wrong with a boss inviting a cleaner for a cuppa?”

“Come on, Oliver. What’s really on your mind?” Susan replied with a knowing smile.

“I need to ask you something. Who knows our staff better than you?” he continued, preparing for the conversation. “What do you think of the new cleaner?”

“She’s a good girl, hardworking. Life hasn’t been kind to her, but she doesn’t give up. What’s up?” Susan asked.

“I just saw her crying. When I asked if she was okay, she ran off,” Oliver explained.

Susan frowned slightly, “She was crying here? I told her not to pay attention to the others. They’re all about looks, you know? They’re just a bunch of vapid dolled-up girls. Emily really takes things to heart.”

“Did they offend her in some way?” Oliver asked, intrigued. “How so?”

“Oh, it started when she came here. Our girls are always well-groomed with designer clothes and make-up. Emily’s naturally pretty but doesn’t fit into their perfect world, and that’s why they pick on her – out of disdain for her less privileged background. It’s quite similar with the lads too; they tend to bully those they perceive as weak just for kicks,” Susan explained.

Oliver wasn’t one for workplace drama, but since he was on the lookout to help, he pressed on. “And how exactly do they offend her?”

“By her appearance, her clothes. They mock her, call her names like ‘Queen of the Slums’ and ‘Rag Doll.’ She just doesn’t have the fashionable shoes or trendy outfits, you see,” Susan replied.

Oliver was taken aback. “In our workplace, everyone has a solid education. Are you sure this is happening?”

“I’m certain. I even warned Lydia to calm down, but they found it amusing,” Susan said candidly.

“What about her situation at home? Is it that tough?” Oliver inquired.

“Yes, her mother is ill, and they’ve denied her disability. She can’t work but needs medication. Emily does her best to support them both. She’s clever, just hasn’t had time for her studies,” Susan shared. Oliver reflected, wondering how people could still act this way in today’s world. He thanked Susan for her insight and saw her out, remaining alone with thoughts of the unfairness that sometimes existed among people.

After a moment of thought, Oliver resolved to take action. He pulled out his wallet, took out all the cash he had, and strolled toward the corridor, where he noticed Emily and Susan busily cleaning a large hall.

With ample work on hand, Oliver discreetly entered their storage room. Emily’s bag immediately caught his eye. He opened it, intending to secretly tuck some money inside to help her buy new clothes without embarrassing her by doing it outright.

As he prepared to slip in the cash, he hesitated when he spotted a gleaming gold cross nested in her wallet. It couldn’t possibly belong to a stranger! Oliver thought.

This cross was remarkable; it once belonged to his father. Memories from twenty years ago surged back into his mind. His mother had suddenly fallen ill, and her health declined rapidly. Ten-year-old Oliver watched anxiously as his father, exhausted and frantic, drove her to the doctors, but their treatments proved futile.

That morning, his mother was preparing breakfast, and Oliver thought she was getting better. But before they had even left the house, his mother turned pale and collapsed. His father screamed, “Quick, to the car! We need to get to the hospital!”

Oliver sat by her side in the car, holding her hand while tears fell. His father sped through traffic, and in a desperate overtaking, their car collided with another vehicle.

His father had been certain they would make it, but the oncoming driver panicked and veered off course. His father shouted in frustration: “Blast it!” He avoided a direct hit but still caused an accident when their car flipped over.

Rushing out, his father approached the overturned vehicle. Oliver saw a young girl, around six years old, peering through the cracked windshield. Her mother, bloodied in the driver’s seat, looked gravely injured. The little girl appeared mostly unharmed, but her mother was in a dire state. His father pulled her out but hesitated, staring at her in shock. Blood ran down one side of her face while the other looked pristine.

“Please, help my daughter,” the woman implored, clutching the cross around his father’s neck.

His father stepped back, “I can’t,” he protested, “my wife is dying in the car!”

He dashed back to the car, the urgency to reach hospital mounting. Oliver urged, “Dad, they need assistance! Someone else will surely stop, but we need to get to the hospital faster!”

Oliver then saw how just a fragment of the worn chain remained dangling from his father’s neck. The atmosphere was tense as all the way to the hospital, he imagined the fate of that woman and her daughter.

When they finally arrived, it was too late; the doctor informed them that his mother’s heart had failed, and she was gone. Life split into a marked divide of “before” and “after.” Now, Oliver again faced the remnants of that day, clutching the cross that glimmered, closing the loop of memories.

Throughout his life, neither he nor his father ever spoke of that sorrowful incident. Initially, Oliver searched for news about what happened, but he soon abandoned those attempts, never discovering closure.

Thirteen years passed since then. His father had long since retired, traveled extensively, and often visited his late wife’s grave. He never remarried, despite opportunities.

Oliver became a thriving entrepreneur, respected in the city, a man who sought to erase unsettling memories…

Suddenly, a voice called out to him, “Excuse me, what are you doing here?”

He turned to see Emily standing there, realizing how ridiculous he must have appeared, holding her wallet.

“Sorry, Emily. This may sound odd, but I wanted to give you a bonus discreetly without making it obvious,” he explained, handing her the money before hurrying out of the storage room.

Once home, Oliver contemplated for hours before deciding it was time to speak with his father.

“Dad, we need to chat,” he announced, taking a seat beside him.

Henry raised an eyebrow, “Are you finally planning to settle down?”

“No, Dad, it’s not about that. Do you recall the day we took Mum to the hospital and had that accident?”

His father frowned, “I thought you didn’t remember.”

“No, Dad, I remember all too well. We didn’t help them, and Mum died in the car.”

“Yes, Oliver. We had no choice back then.”

“We didn’t even call for an ambulance! Dad, the girl from that car now works for me. We have to do something.”

His father began pacing, then looked back at his son, “How can you be so certain it’s her?”

Oliver recounted the day’s events.

“Believe me, I’ve thought about that day. The woman was gravely injured. She didn’t stand a chance,” his father replied.

“She survived but is now disabled. Her daughter is only nineteen and carries all the burden. Dad, we must help her somehow.”

Henry regarded his son solemnly, “Whether she’s disabled or not — that’s the past. We weren’t to blame. The inexperienced driver shouldn’t have been behind the wheel. We didn’t even hit their car.”

“I understand, but Dad, there’s a chance now to help. Do you truly want someone to loathe you for life?” Oliver stood up. “I’ve always respected you, known you as a strong man. But now I’m more disappointed since you have the ability to mend things.”

He walked away, feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow. The father he had admired had seemed like a stranger.

When Emily returned to the office, Oliver noticed her beauty for the first time. She was genuinely lovely, and perhaps the others were simply envious.

“Please, have a seat, Emily,” Oliver offered warmly. “We have much to discuss.”

Emily looked at him, anxiety filling her gaze, “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, everything’s fine, take a seat,” he reassured her, pouring a cup of coffee before taking his own seat. “Emily, why didn’t you attend college?”

She merely shrugged, “I couldn’t manage it just yet. Mum got really sick.”

“What’s wrong with your mum?” Oliver inquired.

“We were in an accident a long time ago. It affected her spine,” Emily began. “Pain used to occur after long walks or standing, but now it’s constant. The doctors are puzzled, and we can’t afford proper treatment. I’m saving as best I can. Besides working for you, I take on extra shifts as a night guard and clean stairwells. The pay is meager, but I give it my all.”

Oliver walked over to the window, deep in thought, “So that accident is what started all of your troubles?”

“You could say that,” she nodded.

As he returned to his chair, his phone buzzed—it was his father’s call. “One moment, please,” he said, excusing himself.

His father’s voice came through, sounding anxious, “Oliver, I met with her. We had a good conversation. I’m arranging for her treatment at our clinic. Our top specialists will see her. It turns out she’s a lovely person and seems to hold no resentment. I’ll explain everything later.”

Oliver turned to Emily, beaming, “Emily, I genuinely want to help you. I’ll sort out your schooling and provide financial assistance.”

“But I can’t focus on studying with Mum in this state…” she began to protest.

“Your mum is already being sent to an excellent clinic. My father set it up,” he said, observing her widening eyes.

“But why? What’s the purpose?” she asked, bewildered.

Oliver sighed, rubbing his face, “I don’t know how you’ll react, but I must tell you this. I was in that car during the overtaking. My father was driving, and my mum was dying in the back seat. We were in a rush, and she was unconscious.”

Emily regarded him thoughtfully, “So that’s why you didn’t help?”

“Yes, my dad was in a different place mentally then. It’s not an excuse, but please allow us the chance to help now. I’ll do everything I can to change your life,” he spoke bitterly, his emotions creeping in.

He proposed various forms of assistance. Emily, still stunned, turned toward the door, then paused, “I understand this has haunted you. But perhaps your father will find solace. My mum was just learning to drive, which is why it happened. She hardly ever drove. That day, someone informed her about my dad, and she snapped, driving straight away with me. If it wasn’t for you, someone else might have stopped her,” she concluded and left.

Oliver felt as if a great weight had been lifted; he could finally breathe easier. He helped Emily, her mother, and now his conscience was clear.

Half a year later, Oliver returned to his father again.

“Dad, we need to talk,” he stated.

“What now?” his father asked warily.

“This time I’m serious about getting married. Emily is finishing her degree, and we’re applying for a civil ceremony.”

The entire office celebrated their wedding, joyfully led by Susan. Emily’s mother, after much rehabilitation, could manage to walk independently and even danced a little at the reception.

The past bullies from the office dared not look Emily or the boss in the eye while offering their congratulations.