Chapter: The Day Kiefer Protected Jay
The week passed quickly.
The company was busier than ever.
A huge international project was about to begin, and every department was working hard.
Kiefer, Lily, and Rose were spending most of their time in meetings.
But even with all the pressure...
Kiefer still found moments to check on everyone.
Especially Jay.
One afternoon, Jay visited the company again.
This time, she wanted to learn more about how the company worked.
She walked through the huge headquarters with Lily.
"You know," Jay said, looking around, "this place still surprises me."
Lily smiled.
"Why?"
"Because it doesn't feel like a company."
"What does it feel like?"
"A family."
Lily looked happy.
"That's exactly what Kiefer wanted."
Jay smiled.
"He really created something special."
Before Lily could answer, they heard a commotion near the main hall.
Several people were gathered.
Jay and Lily walked closer.
They saw an angry man arguing with an employee.
"This mistake happened because of your department!"
The employee looked nervous.
"I am sorry, sir. We are trying to fix it."
The man continued raising his voice.
Jay looked uncomfortable.
But before anyone could say anything...
A calm voice came from behind.
"That's enough."
Everyone became silent.
Kiefer had arrived.
The angry man turned around.
"Mr. Waston."
Kiefer looked at the situation.
Then he looked at the employee.
"Explain what happened."
The employee nervously explained everything.
Kiefer listened carefully.
He didn't interrupt.
After hearing everything, he looked at the man.
"The mistake was not only from one person."
The man became quiet.
"The entire team is responsible for solving problems. Not blaming one person."
Kiefer's voice was calm but firm.
"Here, we don't humiliate employees. We help them improve."
Everyone became silent.
The employee looked relieved.
Kiefer turned to him.
"Don't worry. Learn from this and continue your work."
"Thank you, sir."
Jay watched everything.
She had seen powerful people before.
But many used their power to make others afraid.
Kiefer used his power to protect others.
And that made him different.
After the situation ended, Jay walked toward him.
"You always do that."
Kiefer looked at her.
"Do what?"
"Stand up for people who need help."
Kiefer smiled slightly.
"Someone has to."
"But you are the CEO."
"And?"
Jay looked surprised.
Kiefer continued:
"Being a CEO doesn't mean standing above people."
He looked around the company.
"It means standing with them."
Jay smiled.
That sentence stayed with her.
Later, Rose and Lily found Kiefer.
Rose crossed her arms.
"You know..."
Kiefer looked at her.
"What?"
"You were very impressive today."
"Thank you."
"But..."
Kiefer already knew.
"But what?"
Rose smiled.
"You were even more impressive because Jay was watching."
Kiefer sighed.
"Rose."
Lily laughed.
"She isn't wrong."
Kiefer shook his head.
"You both make everything complicated."
Rose smiled.
"No, Kiefer. We just notice things."
That evening, Jay returned home.
She placed her bag down.
The teddy bear was still sitting in the same place.
She looked at it.
But today, she wasn't thinking about the teddy bear.
She was thinking about Kiefer.
The way he protected his employees.
The way he stayed kind even when he had all the power in the world.
She smiled.
"I think I finally understand..."
"He isn't special because he is the world's greatest CEO."
"He is special because of the person he is."
Meanwhile, inside his office...
Kiefer was looking at the same photo from the amusement park.
Rose and Lily were right.
Something had changed.
But he didn't know what to call it.
For years, his life had been simple.
Work.
Responsibility.
The company.
His friends.
But now...
A new person had entered his world.
And somehow...
The world's strongest CEO felt something he had never felt before.
A little nervousness.
A little happiness.
And a feeling he couldn't explain.