The meeting lasted three hours.
At the end, Edward offered him a position.
Noah asked,
"What position?"
"Director of Heritage and Ethics."
Noah laughed.
"That sounds complicated."
"It isn't."
"What would I do?"
"Make sure we never become the company our grandfather wanted us to become."
Noah became serious.
Edward continued.
"Your father walked away because he believed money without integrity was worthless."
He looked at Noah.
"I want his values to become part of this company."
Noah accepted.
Not because of the salary.
Not because of the title.
But because of his father.
Over the next year, Noah learned everything.
He studied watches.
He learned about movements.
He learned how antique pieces were authenticated.
He studied the history of the company.
He met employees who had worked there for decades.
And he discovered something surprising.
Many of them remembered his father.
They remembered Michael Bennett.
The young man who had once refused to participate in the company's dishonest practices.
One employee was an elderly watchmaker named Samuel.
Samuel had worked with Michael when they were both young.
When he saw Noah, he began crying.
"You have his face."
Noah smiled.
"So I've been told."
Samuel touched the watch.
"I gave this to your father."
Noah looked surprised.
"You?"
Samuel nodded.
"Your father couldn't afford a new strap."
He laughed.
"So I made him one."
Noah looked at the old leather.
"You made this?"
"Yes."
Samuel smiled.
"It's ugly now."
Noah shook his head.
"It's perfect."
Samuel looked at him.
"Your father would have liked you."
Noah smiled.
"I think I would have liked him too."
Months later, Noah returned to the same luxury boutique.
The same marble floor.
The same glass counters.
The same watches.
But this time, he wasn't wearing the stained hoodie.
He wore a simple dark suit.
He walked through the doors.
The employees stood.
Richard was no longer general manager.
He had been moved to another position after an internal review.
The new manager approached Noah.
"Mr. Bennett."
Noah smiled.
"Please, call me Noah."
"Of course."
Noah looked around.
He saw the same display where he had once stood.
The same watch photographs.
The same marble floor.
But something was different.
A new plaque hung near the entrance.
It read:
"EVERY CUSTOMER DESERVES RESPECT BEFORE THEY PROVE THEY CAN AFFORD IT."
Noah stared at it.
The new manager said,
"That was your idea."
Noah smiled.
"My father's."
Then a young man walked into the store.
He wore old clothes.
His shoes were dirty.
He carried a small backpack.
He looked nervous.
Several employees immediately noticed him.
Noah watched.
One employee approached.
"Good morning."
The young man looked surprised.
"Good morning."
"Can I help you?"
"I don't know."
"That's okay."