THE OLD MAN IN THE RAIN
The Poor Old Man at the Lobby Was Actually the Chairman’s Father
Genre: Family Drama, Hidden Identity, Corporate Revenge, Redemption, Emotional Fiction
CHAPTER 1: THE OLD MAN TURNED AWAY AT THE DOOR
At 6:42 p.m. on a rainy Friday evening, Manhattan’s streets were flooded with shimmering reflections of headlights and skyscrapers.
Sterling International stood proudly in the heart of the city. Its glass façade reflected the golden lights of nearby buildings, while its marble lobby gleamed beneath enormous crystal chandeliers.
It was one of the most powerful investment companies in America, employing thousands of people and managing billions of dollars.
To outsiders, the building represented success.
To Clara Morgan, a twenty-three-year-old receptionist struggling to pay her mother’s medical bills, it was simply the place where she worked hard every day to survive.
Clara believed that everyone deserved respect, regardless of their appearance or social status.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared her values.
Richard Hayes, the company’s head of administration, had worked at Sterling International for nearly fifteen years. He wore expensive suits, drove a luxury car, and believed that a person’s importance could be measured by the price of their belongings.
“One day, Clara,” he often told her, “you’ll understand that not everyone deserves your time. In business, you must know who matters.”
Clara never argued with him. She needed her job too much to risk unnecessary conflict.
That evening, as most employees were leaving the building, an elderly man entered through the revolving glass doors.
He appeared to be around seventy-two years old. His silver hair was damp from the rain, and his brown coat was faded at the elbows. His trousers were worn, and his old shoes were covered in mud.
He carried no umbrella.
In his hands was a small wooden box wrapped in dark blue cloth.
The security guard glanced at him and immediately assumed he was a delivery worker who had entered through the wrong entrance.
The old man approached the reception desk.
“Good evening, young lady.”
Clara stood up and smiled politely.
“Good evening, sir. How may I help you?”
“I would like to see the chairman.”
Clara checked the appointment schedule on her computer.
“Do you have an appointment, sir?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t. But I believe he will spare a few minutes for me.”
“May I have your name, please?”
The old man hesitated.
“Arthur Sterling.”
Clara’s fingers stopped moving across the keyboard.
Sterling.
That was the surname of Nathan Sterling, the billionaire chairman whose face frequently appeared on the covers of business magazines.
Clara searched the appointment database. There was no record of Arthur Sterling.
She checked the internal directory.
Nothing.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling. I cannot find your appointment. Would you mind if I called the chairman’s office to confirm?”
The old man smiled warmly.
“Thank you. Before you do that, could you please keep this box somewhere safe?”
He placed the wooden box on the counter.
“Inside is something my son has been searching for over many years.”
Before Clara could ask another question, a sharp voice interrupted them.
“What is going on here?”
Richard Hayes approached the desk, his expensive leather shoes clicking against the marble floor.
He looked at the old man’s wet coat, then at the wooden box.
“Who is this?”
Clara explained the situation.
“Mr. Hayes, this gentleman would like to meet Chairman Sterling.”
Richard laughed.
“The chairman does not meet people without appointments.”
“I only need a few minutes,” Arthur replied calmly.
“Do you have any idea how valuable the chairman’s time is?”
“I understand.”
“Then you should understand that you cannot simply walk into this building and demand to see him.”
Arthur looked directly at Richard.
“Are you saying that I am not important enough to meet my own son?”
Richard frowned.
“Your son?”
“Yes.”
“You’re claiming that Chairman Sterling is your son?”
Richard turned toward the security guard.
“Escort him outside. We cannot allow strangers to disturb the company.”
Clara felt uncomfortable.
“Mr. Hayes, perhaps we should call the chairman’s office first to confirm his identity.”
Richard shot her a cold look.
“Do you want to lose your job over a stranger?”
Clara fell silent.
Arthur gently picked up his wooden box.
“It’s all right, young lady. I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me.”
He turned toward the entrance.
At that exact moment, the private elevator at the far end of the lobby opened.
Nathan Sterling stepped out with two members of the board of directors.