Chapter 7 - The Unmasking
Gavin’s face turned from red to an ash-gray white in less than two seconds. He stammered, dropping his phone onto the carpet.
"M-Mr. Mercer!" Gavin squeaked, sweating profusely as he bowed nervously. "Sir! I... I didn't expect you on this floor at this hour! I was just... I was handling a security breach, sir! This cleaning woman was trying to steal luxury items from the executive suites!"
Julian walked down the hallway with slow, deliberate steps. Every step sounded like a gavel striking a courtroom desk. He didn't even look at Gavin; his eyes were fixed entirely on Elena, who was still trembling on her knees beside her cleaning cart.
Julian stopped, bowed down, and took Elena gently by her hand, lifting her up from the cold floor.
"Are you alright, Elena?" Julian asked softly.
Elena stared at him, recognition dawning in her eyes. It was the same man who had stood in her tiny kitchen eighteen hours ago. "Mr... Mr. Mercer?"
Julian turned his gaze onto Gavin. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by an arctic glare that made Gavin visibly shake.
"You said she stole a watch from Office 402?" Julian asked smoothly.
"Y-yes, sir!" Gavin stuttered, pointing at the cart. "I caught her red-handed! I was just protecting your company's property, Mr. Mercer!"
Julian raised a black tablet in his hand and tapped the screen. A high-definition video began playing on speaker.
It showed the interior of Office 402 from an hour ago. The video clearly depicted Gavin opening the desk drawer himself, taking out the diamond watch, placing it inside his own jacket pocket, and then walking out into the hallway to plant it on Elena’s cleaning cart.
Gavin dropped to his knees, his jaw slack with terror. "Sir... I... I can explain—"
"I have been watching you on the security feeds for three hours, Gavin," Julian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "You have been skimming wages from thirty janitorial workers for two years. You have threatened, harassed, and exploited vulnerable people who work themselves to the bone just to feed their families."
Julian looked at his Head of HR.
"Terminate the contract with this janitorial agency immediately," Julian ordered. "Bring all sixty cleaning workers onto Mercer Global's direct corporate payroll tomorrow morning. Double their hourly wages, give them full health benefits, and back-pay every dollar this worm stole from them over the last two years."
Gabe stepped forward, grabbing Gavin by his collar and pulling him off the floor. "The police are waiting downstairs, Gavin. Let's take a walk."
Gavin wept as he was dragged away into the elevator, his pathetic cries echoing down the silent corridor.
Julian turned back to Elena, who was standing in shock, holding her cleaning rag to her chest.
"Mr. Mercer..." Elena whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what to say... why are you doing all of this for us?"
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Julian took the silver business card and the white envelope from his pocket, gently placing them back into her hands.
"Because twelve hours ago, your daughter mistyped a phone number," Julian said, a soft, genuine smile touching his lips. "And she reminded me of who I used to be."
