Chapter 1 - The Price of Kindness
"I'm sorry. My purse slipped."
The elderly woman knelt on the polished marble floor of an expensive hotel restaurant, desperately gathering the belongings scattered around her.
A wealthy guest looked down at her with disgust.
"Someone should really stop people like her from wandering in here."
Another woman laughed.
"Maybe she's collecting donations."
The elderly woman slowly looked up.
"I'm not asking anyone for money."
Bradley, the restaurant manager, approached with an irritated expression.
"Ma'am, I already asked you to leave."
"And I told you I'm waiting for my son."
"Then your son can meet you outside."
The woman blinked.
"Outside? But I thought this was a hotel."
Bradley straightened his expensive jacket.
"This is a private dining area. We have standards."
He turned toward the entrance.
"Security!"
Across the room, a young waitress named Naomi stopped carrying her tray.
"Bradley!"
The manager looked at her sharply.
"Stay out of this, Naomi."
"She's on the floor."
"I can see that."
Naomi stared at the guests standing around the elderly woman.
"Then why is everybody just watching her?"
"Naomi, don't."
But the waitress had already placed her tray on an empty table.
"I can't."
She knelt beside the elderly woman and began collecting her scattered belongings.
"Here, ma'am. I've got it."
The woman's hands trembled.
"You don't have to do this, sweetheart."
Naomi gave her a gentle smile.
"Apparently, somebody does."
Bradley's face turned red.
"Naomi, get up."
"Give me a second."
"I said get up!"
Naomi slowly stood.
"Why?"
"Because I told you she's leaving."
Naomi looked at the frightened woman.
"She's someone's mother, Bradley."
"That is none of your concern."
"You don't get to humiliate her just because she doesn't look rich enough for your restaurant."
A wealthy guest scoffed.
"This is ridiculous."
Naomi turned toward him.
"Then stop watching and let me help her."
Bradley stepped closer.
"That's enough. Take off your apron."
Naomi froze.
"What?"
"You're fired."
The entire restaurant fell silent.
Bradley pointed toward the employee entrance.
"Collect your things and leave. Immediately."
Naomi slowly untied her apron.
Then she looked at the elderly woman.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
The woman reached for her hand.
"Please don't lose your job because of me."
Naomi shook her head.
"Some things are more important than a paycheck."
Bradley laughed coldly.
"Then I hope kindness pays your rent."
At that exact moment, the restaurant's glass entrance doors opened.
A tall, distinguished man in a dark navy suit stepped inside.
Two sharply dressed executives followed him.
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The hostess immediately straightened her posture.
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