A MUTUAL AGREEMENT

IN HER OFFICE

Davis woke up feeling refreshed, determined to let go of past hurts and focus on his happiness. His first stop was the hospital to check on his mother’s recovery.

There, he met with Dr. Frank, who was pleased to inform him that the surgery had been successful. However, his mother had yet to regain consciousness. Still, the doctor reassured him there was hope, and that alone was enough to brighten Davis’s day.

After his hospital visit, he headed straight to Crystal’s company. Upon arrival, he noticed four security guards stationed outside the entrance. He attempted to go in, but they blocked his way, demanding to see his identification card.

“But I work here,” Davis explained. “I’m part of the cleaning staff.”

The guards, however, remained unmoved.

Frantically, he searched his pockets, only to realize—Boom!—his wallet was missing. He must have left it at home in his rush to the hospital.

“I forgot my ID,” he admitted, “but I have an appointment with the CEO.”

At this, the guards exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter.

One of them, still chuckling, asked, “You’re telling us you have a scheduled appointment with our CEO?”

Davis hesitated before answering. “No, I didn’t book one, but—”

That was all they needed to hear. Their laughter grew louder, echoing through the entrance.

Between their fits of amusement, one guard mocked his appearance. “Look at him! He’s dressed like a beggar, and he expects us to believe he’s meeting with the CEO?”

Humiliated, Davis clenched his fists. No one believed him. No one took him seriously.

Without another word, he stepped away and pulled out his phone. He needed to call Crystal.

Even as he dialed, he could still hear their laughter behind him. His chest tightened. Would she even pick up? He knew she was busy. Maybe she’d ignore him. Maybe she’d—

“Hello?”

She answered on the first ring.

Relieved, Davis quickly explained the situation. “The security guards won’t let me in. I also forgot my ID card.”

There was silence. Then—click.

She had hung up without a single word.

A wave of emotions hit him—anger, hurt, rejection. If the guards had made him feel humiliated, Crystal’s response made him feel abandoned. His patience snapped. He started pacing, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to steady his nerves.

What he didn’t know was that Crystal had seen and heard everything.

Unbeknownst to Davis, the entire encounter had played out on the CCTV screens in her office. She had watched it all—the humiliation, the mockery, his quiet endurance. She had expected him to lash out, to fight back. But he didn’t. He had remained calm, and that baffled her.

Fury surged through her veins.

Without hesitation, she stormed downstairs.

“All of you incompetent fools are fired!” she thundered, her icy glare locking onto the four guards. “Is this what I pay you for?”

A tense silence followed. Then, one of the guards found his voice.

“Ma’am, we’re sorry! We didn’t mean any harm. He didn’t have his ID, and he claimed to have an appointment he never booked. We were just doing our job. Please, ma’am, we’re really sorry!” His voice wavered, his desperation evident.

Hearing voices, Davis turned and was met with an unexpected sight—Crystal standing before the guards, who were now kneeling, pleading for mercy.

“What’s happening?” he wondered, his brows furrowing. Without hesitation, he walked over to find out.

At that moment, Mr. Richard, the company’s Human Resource Manager, arrived.

Mr. Richard had started as a sales representative before earning his promotion through hard work and dedication. He was known for his fairness and professionalism.

After listening to the guards’ explanation, he nodded thoughtfully. From a security standpoint, they weren’t entirely wrong. Their job was to ensure no intruder entered the building. If an unauthorized person had gained access and caused harm, the blame would have fallen on them.

To him, a dismissal seemed too harsh. But he wasn’t in a position to question the CEO’s orders. If she wanted them gone, they were gone.

Davis, however, saw things differently.

He felt responsible. If he had remembered his ID, none of this would have happened. These men had families to support—losing their jobs could mean months of struggle, perhaps even poverty.

He had to do something.

“Mr. Richard,” Crystal called.

“Yes, ma’am?” he responded.

“You know what to do, right?” Her voice was sharp, final.

“Yes, ma’am.” Mr. Richard turned to the guards. “All of you, get up and follow me.”

One of them hesitated. Then, with eyes full of desperation, he turned to Davis.

“Please, sir. Help us,” he pleaded.

The others joined in. “Please.”

Davis took a deep breath. Then, in a move that shocked everyone, he walked up to Crystal and dropped to his knees.

“What are you doing, Davis?” she asked, staring at him in disbelief.

“What I should have done from the start,” he said firmly. “This isn’t their fault—it’s mine. Please, reconsider your decision. They have families to provide for, and finding another decent-paying job won’t be easy. I’m begging you, as the CEO of Crystal Group of Companies, to show mercy.”

Crystal was stunned.

She had never seen anyone—especially a man—kneel before her like this.

What baffled her more was why he was doing it. These men had mocked and humiliated him. Yet here he was, pleading on their behalf.

She had never intended to fire them. Her plan was only to suspend them for a week without pay as a lesson. But Davis… he had taken this to heart.

“It’s fine,” she said at last, her voice softer. “I forgive all of you.”

She glanced at Davis. “Get up.”

Davis obeyed immediately, his eyes filled with gratitude. The guards, too, expressed their thanks. But instead of directing their appreciation toward Davis, they showered Crystal with praise.

It irritated her.

She dismissed Mr. Richard, who, though he remained composed, felt an immense sense of relief. He was secretly grateful to Davis for intervening.

“I don’t want this happening again,” Crystal warned. “Treat everyone with respect. We are all human, for Christ’s sake.”

“Yes, ma’am. We’ll do better,” the guards promised in unison. Their faces shone with relief and gratitude.

Davis let out a deep breath, finally feeling at ease.

Then Crystal turned to him. “In my office. Now.”

She didn’t have to say it twice. Davis followed her immediately.