He was the billionaire founder of the company that owned the entire department-store chain.
And for three weeks, he had been visiting his stores in disguise.
No limousine.
No security team.
No expensive suit.
Just an old wool coat, a cane, and a hidden camera recording how employees treated customers when they believed nobody important was watching.
Marlene slowly backed away from him.
“Mr. Grant… I can explain.”
Harold lowered the phone.
“No,” he said. “I think Ethan already explained everything.”
The automatic doors suddenly opened.
Three executives in dark suits entered the store.
One of them was carrying a tablet.
Harold pointed toward Marlene.
“Show her.”
The executive turned the screen around.
Marlene’s face collapsed.
There were dozens of complaints.
Employees she had humiliated.
Customers she had ignored.
Workers she had threatened into staying silent.
And then Harold revealed the worst part.
“This wasn’t your first test.”
Marlene stared at him.
Harold continued.
“I sent three people into this store over the last month.”
Her lips began trembling.
“You failed every single time.”
Then Harold looked at Ethan, who was still standing there holding his employee badge.
“You knew helping me could cost you your job.”
Ethan nodded.
“I couldn’t just leave you.”
Harold smiled.
“That’s exactly why I came here.”
He turned toward the executives.
“Effective immediately, Marlene Voss is terminated.”
Marlene exploded.
“You can’t do this to me!”
Harold’s expression hardened.
“I own the company.”
The entire store went silent.
Security approached.
But before they could escort Marlene away, she suddenly pointed at Ethan and screamed:
“You think he’s innocent?! Ask him why he really works here!”
Ethan’s face changed instantly.
Harold noticed.
“What is she talking about?”
Marlene smiled through her tears.
“Tell him, Ethan.”
Ethan slowly looked at Harold.
Because the truth about Ethan Collins was something even the billionaire owner had never discovered…
