The impact sent Victoria crashing sideways onto the hard marble floor with a loud, painful scream. Her leather binder flew out of her hands, scattering confidential corporate files across the damp tiles. She landed awkwardly on her side, her high heels sliding across the floor before she managed to push herself up into a sitting position. Her hand immediately flew to her left cheek, which was already turning a bright, angry shade of red from the strike.
Victoria: Ah!
She gasped, her eyes wide with total shock and disbelief. She looked up at the chief executive officer, her perfect composure entirely shattered. Never in her corporate career had anyone raised a hand to her, let alone the head of the entire company. She struggled to process the sudden downfall of her position over what she viewed as a simple custodial issue.
Victoria: You... you slapped me? Over a janitor's child?
Richard did not offer an apology, nor did his cold expression soften for a single second. He stood over her like an immovable mountain, his breathing heavy and measured. He pointed a firm finger down at the trembling manager, his voice dark and absolute as he delivered his final verdict in front of the flag.
CEO Richard: You are fired! I will pay for your mom's medicine, sweetheart.
Victoria blinked back bitter tears of humiliation and rage, but the absolute coldness in Richard's eyes told her there was no room for negotiation or appeals. Her lucrative career, her massive annual bonuses, and her high corporate standing were completely destroyed in a matter of seconds. She scrambled to her feet, abandoning her scattered paperwork on the floor, and fled out the double doors with her head held down in shame.
As soon as the doors swung shut, Richard turned away from the hallway. The harshness in his face melted away as he looked over at the leather chair near the window. Lily was still cowering on the floor, her small frame shaking with quiet sobs. Richard walked over slowly, taking deep breaths to calm his own racing heart before he approached the terrified child.
He knelt down gently beside her once again, keeping his distance so she would not feel cornered. He extended his arms in a warm, open posture, offering her a safe space away from the harsh conflict that had just taken place. Lily let out a long sigh of relief, realizing that the giant man in the expensive suit was her protector rather than her enemy.