Naomi waited.
Gerald looked up.
"I used to think people like her were lucky to have jobs."
Naomi said nothing.
"I thought I was the one making everything possible."
He swallowed.
"I never considered how much work they did."
Naomi leaned back.
"Why did you ask to see me?"
Gerald looked toward the window.
"Because I've spent a long time blaming you."
Naomi remained silent.
"I blamed you for my job. My reputation. Everything."
He shook his head.
"But you didn't approve those contracts. You didn't write those emails. You didn't make me threaten people."
His voice became rough.
"I did."
Naomi studied him.
It was the first time she had heard Gerald accept responsibility without immediately offering an excuse.
"That matters," she said.
Gerald nodded.
"I know it doesn't change what happened."
"No."
"And I know I still have to deal with the consequences."
"Yes."
He looked at her.
"I wanted to apologize."
Naomi waited.
Gerald took a breath.
"For the way I treated you. And for the way I treated people who couldn't fight back."
Naomi's expression softened slightly.
"Thank you for saying that."
Gerald looked down.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Then focus on making better choices."
He nodded slowly.
For a while, neither spoke.
Finally, Gerald stood.
"I hope the company does well."
"So do I."
He moved toward the door.
Then he stopped.
"Dr. Bennett?"
"Yes?"
"You were right about something."
"What?"
"That day in the lobby, I wasn't sorry because I'd been cruel."
He swallowed.
"I was sorry because you were the CEO."
Naomi looked at him.
Gerald continued.
"I understand the difference now."
Then he left.
Naomi sat quietly after the door closed.
She did not know whether Gerald would truly change.
One conversation could not erase years of behavior.
But she hoped he would continue confronting what he had done.
Accountability was not the opposite of personal growth.
Sometimes it was the beginning.
Two years after Naomi Bennett became CEO, a young woman entered the Westbridge headquarters carrying a worn leather portfolio.
Her name was Jasmine Carter.
She was twenty-four.
She had recently completed a degree in computer engineering and was interviewing for her first major corporate position.
Jasmine had grown up in a small town in South Carolina.
Her parents had worked hard to support her education.
She had never visited a corporate headquarters as impressive as Westbridge.
The glass walls made her nervous.
The marble floors made her afraid to walk too loudly.
She approached the reception desk.
"Excuse me," she said softly. "I'm here for an interview."
The receptionist smiled.
"Of course. What's your name?"
"Jasmine Carter."
The receptionist checked the schedule.
"You're a little early. Please have a seat."
"Thank you."
Jasmine sat near the elevators.
She opened her portfolio.
Inside were copies of her résumé, academic transcripts, and a list of questions she hoped to ask.
She checked the time.
Then she noticed a woman standing near the entrance.
The woman wore a simple dark-blue dress and carried a coffee cup.
She was speaking with a member of the cleaning staff.
They were laughing.
Jasmine watched as the woman bent down to help pick up several papers that had fallen from a cart.
There was nothing unusual about the gesture.
Except that nobody else seemed to notice the papers.
The woman gathered them, handed them back, and continued speaking with the employee.
A few moments later, she approached Jasmine.
"Good morning."
Jasmine looked up.
"Good morning."
"Are you here for an interview?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Which department?"
"Software engineering."
The woman smiled.
"Excellent."
Jasmine hesitated.
"Do you work here?"
"I do."
"Do you like it?"
The woman laughed softly.
"Most days."
Jasmine smiled.
"I'm really nervous."
"Why?"
"This is a big company."
"It is."
"I don't know if I belong here."
The woman's expression changed.
She sat in the chair beside Jasmine.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
"Don't confuse being new with not belonging."
Jasmine looked at her.
"Everyone starts somewhere."
The woman continued.
"You earned the opportunity to interview. Now let them see what you can do."
Jasmine smiled.
"Thank you."
"What's your name?"
"Jasmine Carter."
"I'm Naomi."
They shook hands.
Jasmine glanced toward the elevators.
"Do you have any advice?"
Naomi thought for a moment.
"Ask questions. Be honest about what you know. Don't pretend to understand something you don't."
Jasmine nodded.
"And remember," Naomi added, "an interview is also your chance to decide whether this is a place where you want to work."
Jasmine smiled.
"I hadn't thought about that."
"Most people don't."
A man approached from the elevators.
"Dr. Bennett, the leadership meeting is ready."
Jasmine froze.
Dr. Bennett?
The woman beside her stood.
"Thank you, Adrian. I'll be there shortly."
Jasmine stared.
"Wait."
Naomi turned.
"Yes?"
"You're Dr. Naomi Bennett?"
Naomi smiled.
"That's right."
"The CEO?"
"Yes."
Jasmine's mouth fell open.
"Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry."
Naomi frowned gently.
"For what?"
"I didn't know who you were."
Naomi laughed.
"That's perfectly fine."
Jasmine stood awkwardly.
"I should have—"
"Jasmine."
She stopped.
Naomi smiled.
"You don't need to apologize for treating me like an ordinary person."
Jasmine looked at her.
Naomi continued.
"That's exactly how people should treat one another."
Then she shook Jasmine's hand again.
"Good luck with your interview."
"Thank you, Dr. Bennett."
Naomi walked toward the elevators.
Jasmine watched her disappear.
Then she looked around the lobby.