Victor stared at him.
"You can't be serious."
James continued.
"The board has also approved an external review of all related transactions."
Victor looked toward Edward.
"You are destroying my career."
Edward's expression remained calm.
"No. Your decisions have consequences. The investigation will determine what those consequences should be."
Victor's legal adviser quietly advised him to leave.
Victor gathered his belongings.
As he reached the door, he turned around.
"You'll regret this."
Edward looked at him.
"Perhaps."
He paused.
"But I would regret doing nothing much more."
Victor left.
The door closed.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then one of the board members turned toward Edward.
"What happens now?"
Edward looked at the documents spread across the table.
"Now we begin rebuilding."
He paused.
"And this time, we make sure the foundation is stronger than the building."
Outside the conference room, employees were beginning to hear the news.
Some felt relieved.
Others were frightened.
Many wondered whether anything would truly change.
Edward knew that restoring trust would take time.
He also knew that removing one manager would not automatically repair a broken culture.
The real test would come in the days ahead.
When the cameras were gone.
When the headlines faded.
And when ordinary people walked through the hotel doors expecting to be treated with dignity.
That was when the Grand Imperial would have to prove it had truly changed.
Emily Carter was working at a small neighborhood café when Olivia called her again.
She had taken the job two weeks earlier.
The salary was modest, but the owner treated her kindly.
She was beginning to feel comfortable again.
"Hello?"
"Emily, it's Olivia."
"Hi. Is everything all right?"
"Yes. Actually, I have some news."
Emily smiled faintly.
"What happened?"
"The investigation has confirmed that your dismissal was handled improperly."
Emily stopped wiping the counter.
"What does that mean?"
"It means the decision to terminate your employment is being formally reviewed. Your record will be corrected, and you'll receive the compensation you're entitled to."
Emily leaned against the counter.
She had expected an apology.
She had not expected this.
"Thank you."
Olivia continued.
"Mr. Harrison would also like to meet with you."
Emily hesitated.
"Why?"
"He wants to discuss the future of the hotel's guest services program."
Emily looked toward the café owner.
He was preparing coffee for a customer.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Everything, actually."
Olivia explained that Edward wanted to create a new guest care department.
It would focus on elderly visitors, families with children, guests with disabilities, and people facing unexpected difficulties during their stay.
The department would also have authority to resolve reasonable problems without requiring multiple layers of approval.
Edward believed employees needed to be trusted to make compassionate decisions.
And he wanted someone who understood the importance of listening.
Emily was surprised.
"Are you asking me to come back?"
"Only if you want to."
Emily was quiet.
She remembered the humiliation of being called into the office.
She remembered walking out with her belongings in a cardboard box.
She remembered wondering whether she would ever find another job.
But she also remembered the guests.
The elderly man who needed his medication.
The little boy who cried because he missed his mother.
The families who simply needed someone to understand.
"I'll think about it," she said.
"Of course."
After the call ended, Emily continued working.
That evening, she spoke to Noah.
He listened carefully.
Then he asked:
"Do you want to go back?"
Emily looked at him.
"I don't know."
Noah smiled.
"Then don't go back because they need you. Go back only if you believe you can make things better."
His words stayed with her.
Two days later, Emily met Edward at the Grand Imperial.
This time, she entered through the main doors.
Daniel Miller was standing behind the reception desk.
When he saw her, he immediately stepped forward.
"Emily."
She smiled politely.
"Hello, Daniel."
He looked embarrassed.
"I wanted to apologize."
Emily nodded.
"I appreciate that."
Daniel continued.
"I should have treated you differently when you were here. I saw how things were happening, but I didn't speak up."
Emily looked at him.
"At least you recognize it now."
Daniel nodded.
"I do."
Edward approached them.
"Emily. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for inviting me."
They walked toward the executive office.
Edward showed her the proposed guest care department.
There were plans for a dedicated support desk, updated staff training, and a new system allowing employees to resolve urgent guest concerns.
Emily studied the documents.
"This is a good start."
Edward smiled.
"But?"
"But employees need protection when they make the right decision."
Edward nodded.
"Explain."
Emily pointed toward the policy section.
"If someone helps a guest without waiting for approval, they shouldn't automatically be punished if the action was reasonable."
"Agreed."
"And there should be a confidential way for employees to report problems."
"Yes."
"Also, housekeeping staff need more time to complete their work properly. If people are constantly rushing, they won't have time to notice when someone needs help."
Edward wrote down her suggestions.
Then he looked at her.
"Would you be willing to lead this department?"
Emily stared at him.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"I don't have management experience."
Edward smiled.
"You have something more important."
"What?"
"You understand why the department needs to exist."
Emily looked at the documents.
She thought about the years she had spent cleaning rooms, helping guests, and trying to make difficult days easier for strangers.
She thought about her mother.
And she remembered the words her mother used to say.
People remember how you make them feel when they're at their weakest.
Emily looked up.
"I'll do it."
Edward extended his hand.
"Welcome back."
Emily shook it.
But before they left, she pointed toward another section of the proposal.
"There's one more thing."
Edward smiled.
"I was expecting that."
Emily laughed.
"I want the employees to have a say in how this department works."
Edward nodded.
"Then let's invite them."
And so, for the first time in years, the Grand Imperial began developing its policies with the people who actually delivered the service.
Not just executives.
Not just consultants.
The people who cleaned the rooms, carried the luggage, prepared the meals, repaired the heating systems, and welcomed guests at the front desk.