When Lucian finally opened his eyes, the room was dim. The money was untouched. A heavy, unfamiliar feeling settled in his chest. It was shame.
That evening, alone in his office, he watched the security footage. Her simple, almost maternal kindness struck him more deeply than any lesson his success had ever taught him. He remained awake until dawn, thinking about the woman who had chosen compassion over greed.
The following morning, he asked Evelyn to come to his study. She appeared at the door with her usual calm expression.
“You wanted to see me, sir?”
Lucian hesitated. “Yes. I owe you an apology.”
She looked puzzled. “For what?”
“I tested you,” he admitted quietly. “Yesterday, I pretended to sleep on a pile of money to see if you would steal it.”
Evelyn blinked in shock. “You thought I would?”
He nodded. “I did. And I was wrong.”
She folded her hands together. “Mr. Cross, I have known hunger and debt, but I have never sold my integrity. My children depend on me to be honest. If I take what doesn’t belong to me, I lose more than my job. I lose myself.”
Lucian lowered his gaze. He opened a drawer and handed her an envelope.
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