"Certainly."
She returned a few moments later with the receipt.
The total was modest compared with the restaurant's usual bills.
Richard placed several hundred-dollar bills on the table.
Olivia looked surprised.
"Sir, I think you've given me too much."
"Have I?"
"Yes. Your meal costs much less than this."
Richard smiled.
"Then consider the rest a thank-you."
Olivia shook her head.
"That's very generous, but I don't want you to feel obligated."
Richard looked directly at her.
"I'm not obligated. I simply appreciate how you treated me."
She hesitated before accepting the money.
"Thank you, sir. That's very kind."
Richard stood.
Before leaving, he turned toward her.
"May I ask one final question?"
"Of course."
"If you had known I was wealthy, would you have treated me differently?"
Olivia looked confused.
"Why would I?"
Richard smiled.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
He walked toward the entrance.
Olivia watched him leave, wondering about the strange question.
Outside, Richard entered a black car waiting near the curb.
His personal assistant, James, was sitting in the front passenger seat.
"How was dinner, sir?" James asked.
Richard looked through the window at the restaurant.
"Very revealing."
"Did you enjoy the food?"
"The soup was excellent."
James smiled.
"That's good."
Richard's expression became serious.
"James, I want you to arrange a meeting with the management team tomorrow morning."
"At the restaurant?"
"Yes. And I want every senior employee there."
James nodded.
"Is something wrong?"
Richard looked toward the building.
"Something has been wrong for a very long time."
The following morning, Olivia arrived at work earlier than usual.
She had barely slept.
Her mother's medical bills were overdue, and she had spent most of the night trying to calculate how much money she needed for the next treatment.
She was exhausted, but she refused to call in sick.
When she entered the staff room, she noticed that everyone seemed unusually nervous.
Vanessa was checking her phone.
The manager, Mr. Collins, was speaking quietly with another supervisor.
"What's happening?" Olivia asked.
Vanessa looked up.
"Apparently, the owner is coming today."
Olivia frowned.
"The owner?"
"Yes. The actual owner. I've heard he's extremely wealthy and very demanding."
Olivia placed her bag in her locker.
"Why is he visiting?"
"Nobody knows."
Mr. Collins entered the room.
"Everyone, listen carefully. The owner will arrive at ten o'clock. I expect the restaurant to be spotless, and I expect every employee to behave professionally."
He looked directly at Olivia.
"And I don't want any incidents like last night."
Olivia lowered her eyes.
"Understood."
At precisely ten o'clock, a black luxury car stopped outside.
James stepped out first and opened the rear door.
Richard emerged wearing an elegant navy suit.
His appearance was completely different from the previous evening.
His shoes were polished, his watch was expensive, and his posture carried the confidence of a man accustomed to making important decisions.
The manager rushed toward him.
"Mr. Anderson! Welcome. It's an honor to have you here."
Richard shook his hand.
"Good morning, Mr. Collins."
The manager looked surprised.
Richard knew his name.