Chapter 10 - RICHARD’S SECOND MISTAKERichard was asked to leave the compliance room.
He refused.
“This sale exists because I built the gala’s reputation.”
Helena remained calm.
“The sale exists because Olivia served a verified client.”
“He would never have purchased without my involvement.”
I looked at Helena.
“He is correct about one thing.”
Richard’s expression brightened.
I continued.
“His behavior made me consider leaving.”
The hope vanished.
Helena asked security to escort him to the management office.
Richard looked at Olivia.
“You won’t last one month without me protecting you.”
Olivia’s face tightened.
“I didn’t know you were protecting me.”
Richard lowered his voice.
“I hired you despite your lack of luxury experience.”
“You hired me because I led customer satisfaction at another dealership.”
“For ordinary cars.”
“For ordinary people,” she corrected.
That distinction silenced him.
Richard viewed luxury clients as a different species.
Their wealth made them worthy of patience.
Everyone else received suspicion.
Security escorted him out.
The compliance-room door closed.
Olivia released a breath.
“I apologize.”
I looked at her.
“For what?”
“For allowing the conversation to become personal.”
“You didn’t.”
“I challenged my manager in front of a client.”
“You corrected an unauthorized charge.”
She nodded but still looked uneasy.
Professional people often blame themselves when authority behaves badly.
Helena asked Olivia to step outside briefly while we discussed the employee report.
I refused.
“She should hear anything that concerns her conduct.”
Helena agreed.
She asked me to provide a factual account.
I described the entrance.
The insult.
The repeated attempts to remove Olivia.
The added fee.
I did not exaggerate.
I did not demand termination.
When Helena asked what outcome I wanted, I said, “A real review.”
“Nothing more?”
“If the evidence supports discipline, apply it. If it doesn’t, don’t.”
Olivia looked at me.
“You don’t want him fired?”
“I don’t decide another person’s employment because he offended me.”
Richard’s behavior was serious.
But anger should not become the only investigator.
Processes existed for a reason.
Helena promised an independent review of gala video, client complaints, commission records, and employee reports.
The final wire transfer arrived.
Janet confirmed receipt.
The title documents were valid.
The Ferrari was mine.
Olivia offered me the keys inside a black presentation box.
I did not take them immediately.
“Was my father’s service card still in the record?”
“Yes.”
“Could I receive a certified copy?”
“I’ll arrange it.”
“That matters more than the presentation box.”
She smiled.
“I understand.”
A commotion came from the showroom.
One of the wealthy guests who had laughed earlier stood beside the Ferrari.
Richard was with him.
May you like
Despite being ordered to the management office, he had returned to the floor.
He was trying to sell my car to someone else.
Related Stories
