Her husband, Thomas, had handled the accounts while Eleanor designed the garments.
They had worked twelve-hour days, sometimes surviving on sandwiches because they could not afford proper meals.
Yet their customers had always been welcomed.
One of their earliest clients had been a woman who came into the shop wearing an old coat and carrying a baby.
She had no money to purchase a dress.
Eleanor had nevertheless invited her inside, offered her tea, and helped repair the coat.
A week later, the woman returned with a small envelope containing the money she had borrowed from a neighbor.
She insisted on paying for the work.
Eleanor remembered how Thomas had smiled afterward.
"That woman may not have much money," he had said, "but she has more honor than half the wealthy men who walk past our window."
Those memories had shaped their company.
Now, forty years later, an elderly woman had been humiliated in a boutique bearing their name.
Eleanor looked back at Claire.
"Tell me something. Why did you help me?"
Claire seemed surprised by the question.
"Because you needed help."
"That is all?"
"What else would there be?"
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"Some people would say you had nothing to gain."
Claire considered that.
"I suppose I didn't."
"And you knew you might get into trouble?"
Claire looked down at her hands.
"Honestly, I didn't think about that until Mr. Hayes started shouting."
"Why not?"
"Because you looked so happy when you saw yourself in that dress. I didn't want anyone taking that away from you."
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
Daniel quietly closed his folder.
At that moment, the office door opened.
A young employee named Sophie entered, holding a tablet.
"Mr. Brooks, I'm sorry to interrupt, but the executive office is ready."
Daniel nodded.
"Thank you. Please give us a moment."
Sophie looked at Claire.
Her expression revealed that she had already heard what happened.
"Claire..."
Claire turned.
Sophie approached slowly.
"I'm sorry."
Claire managed a small smile.
"It's okay."
"No, it isn't. I should have said something downstairs."
Claire looked at her.
Sophie lowered her voice.
"I saw everything. I wanted to defend you, but I was afraid Richard would cut my hours again."
Eleanor heard her words.
"How long has this been happening?"
Sophie looked uncomfortable.
"Almost a year."
Daniel immediately opened his notebook again.
"Could you explain what you mean?"
Sophie glanced toward the door.
Then she looked at Eleanor.
"Mr. Hayes has been pressuring us to prioritize customers based on their appearance. He says we're supposed to recognize people who belong to the luxury market."
"Has he ever instructed you to refuse service?"
Sophie nodded.
"Not directly. He usually says we should keep certain customers occupied until someone else becomes available."
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Occupied?"
Sophie looked down.
"Sometimes we are told to send them to another department, even when they specifically ask for help with something we sell."
Claire listened carefully.
There was something she had never known about Sophie.
The young woman had always appeared confident and ambitious. Claire had assumed she agreed with Richard's methods.
Now she understood that fear had kept Sophie silent.
Eleanor gestured toward the empty chair.
"Please sit down."
Sophie did.
"Thank you for speaking honestly," Eleanor said. "I know it isn't easy."
Daniel's phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
"The chairman is waiting."
Eleanor nodded.
"Put him on speaker."
Daniel connected the call.
A moment later, a deep male voice filled the room.
"Eleanor? Daniel? What's happened?"
"Good afternoon, Robert," Eleanor replied.
"Daniel told me there was an incident at the flagship store."
"There was."
"Is anyone injured?"
"No. But someone has been deeply humiliated, and an employee has been dismissed for showing her basic kindness."
A pause followed.
"What?"
Eleanor explained everything.
She described the treatment she had received, Claire's assistance, Richard's behavior, and the dismissal.
When she finished, Robert spoke cautiously.
"Are you certain about all the details?"
Eleanor looked at him.
"Robert, I was standing in that fitting room. I heard every word."
"Of course. I only meant that we should investigate before making any decisions."
"Investigation is necessary. But it must not become an excuse for inaction."
Daniel added that he had already discovered potential evidence of repeated discriminatory customer-service practices.
Robert sighed.
"All right. I'll arrange an emergency board meeting."
"Today," Eleanor said.
"Today?"
"Yes."
"That may be difficult. Several directors are traveling."
"Then they can join remotely."
Another silence followed.
Finally, Robert agreed.
Eleanor ended the call.