Chapter 9 - The New Master
Mr. Vance stood up, taking Leo by the hand. He walked the child toward the central glass display case where the store's primary collections rested beneath bulletproof glass. The remaining staff bowed their heads respectfully as the two passed, their eyes filled with newfound reverence for the filthy child walking in dirty shoes across their pristine floor.
"Gather the staff," Mr. Vance instructed the assistant manager, who was standing nervously nearby. "Issue an immediate directive across all global branches. Effective immediately, any employee who turns away a customer based on their appearance will be terminated without severance."
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"Yes, Mr. Vance! Right away, sir!" the assistant manager stammered, rushing off to execute the order.
Leo looked at the glittering diamonds under the glass, his reflection now standing side-by-side with his grandfather's in the polished display. The brown jacket didn't seem so small anymore, and the soot on his face looked less like dirt and more like the dust of a warrior returning from a successful campaign.
