Mr. Moretti, however, leaned forward with genuine interest. «Go on. I’m curious.»
Daisy could feel William’s furious stare burning the side of her face, but once she had started, she couldn’t stop. Years of frustration, of studying hard and never getting a chance to use that knowledge, of cleaning offices while hearing incompetent executives make terrible decisions—all of it spilled out.
«Look, I understand that numbers are important,» she continued, keeping her tone respectful but firm. «But a company that only focuses on short-term profit and treats employees like disposable parts is digging its own grave.»
She paused, then drove her point home. «Without a healthy work environment, without investing in team development, without real social responsibility, even the best talents eventually leave. And then it doesn’t matter how much money you have to hire replacements; the company’s reputation will already be damaged.»
«Interesting,» Moretti murmured, completely absorbed. «And where does that knowledge come from? What field do you work in?»
Daisy hesitated for a second, but decided she’d already broken all the rules anyway.
«Right now, I work as a housekeeper, Mr. Moretti. But I graduated in business administration two years ago. I just never got a real opportunity to use my degree because no one hires people without experience. It’s a never-ending circle.»
The bomb had been dropped. Daisy could feel the tension radiating from William like waves of heat. He had brought a housekeeper to the most important dinner of the year, and now everyone knew it.
But Moretti didn’t seem embarrassed. On the contrary, his eyes shone with genuine curiosity.
«A housekeeper with a degree in business administration. What a waste of talent,» Moretti said. «Please continue. You mentioned work environment. What specifically would you change in a company like ours?»
And so, to William’s absolute horror, and the growing fascination of everyone else at the table, Daisy began to talk. She spoke about people management, about the importance of integration programs, and about how small investments in employee well-being could bring huge returns in productivity and loyalty to the brand.
She mentioned studies, cited success stories, talked about market trends, and the importance of adapting to new generations of workers. Every word came out with the passion of someone who studied the subject out of love, not just obligation.
William sat frozen beside her, torn between anger at having his orders completely ignored and shock at discovering that the housekeeper he’d hired as a decorative accessory was, in fact, more qualified than half the executives at that table.
«Extraordinary,» Moretti finally said, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful smile. «Miss Daisy, what a tragedy that a mind like yours is being wasted cleaning houses. This is exactly the kind of fresh perspective we need in this company.»
Daisy blinked in surprise. «Sir?»
«Come see me Monday morning,» Moretti said, handing her a business card. «I have an opening in the human resources department. Entry level, of course, but with real potential for growth for someone who shows competence. And something tells me you will.»
The world seemed to stop for a moment. Daisy looked at the card in her hand as if it were a winning lottery ticket. A real opportunity. After all this time, someone was finally giving her a chance.
«I… I accept. Thank you very much, Mr. Moretti,» she stammered, her voice full of emotion.
William, beside her, looked like a man who had just witnessed a car crash in slow motion. His disposable companion had just landed a job in his own company. The night had just become much more complicated.
The rest of the dinner was a strange mix of lively conversation and icy silence—coming specifically from the chair next to Daisy. William didn’t say a single word to her for the rest of the evening, limiting himself to answering shareholders’ questions with short, tense replies.
Daisy, on the other hand, was bombarded with questions. Moretti seemed genuinely fascinated, asking for her opinion on different aspects of business management. Other executives joined the discussion, some out of curiosity, others clearly skeptical that a housekeeper could actually know anything about administration.
«So you really believe that investing in wellness programs increases productivity?» a woman with glasses asked, her tone carrying a hint of doubt.
«It’s not about believing, it’s a proven fact,» Daisy replied, catching the rhythm of the conversation. «Happy employees take fewer sick days, produce more, and stay longer with the company. That reduces recruitment and training costs. It’s basic math, only with people involved.»
The woman looked impressed. William looked like he was about to have a breakdown.
When the dinner finally ended, William practically dragged Daisy out of the ballroom. He didn’t say a word until they reached the parking lot, where he finally exploded.
«You had one simple instruction,» he said through clenched teeth, opening the car door harder than necessary. «One simple instruction: Stay quiet.»
«Technically, you also told me to smile, and I smiled a lot,» Daisy replied, getting into the car with an innocent look. «So I met at least 50% of the expectations. That’s not a failure.»
«This isn’t funny, Daisy!» William started the car sharply. «You embarrassed me in front of the company’s most important shareholders.»
«Oh yes, what a terrible embarrassment, to have someone intelligent and relevant sitting next to you,» Daisy crossed her arms. «Much better if I’d just sat there looking like a well-dressed mannequin. That would have made a great impression.»
William clenched his jaw, clearly making an almost superhuman effort not to say something he’d regret later. The ride back was even quieter than before, but this time the silence was filled with tension.
When they stopped in front of Daisy’s building, she was about to get out when William finally spoke.
«On Monday, you won’t show up.»
Daisy slowly turned to face him. «What?»
«You’re not taking that job,» William said, staring straight ahead. «I’ll double tonight’s payment. $10,000 for you to forget this whole thing and move on with your life.»
For a moment, Daisy just stared at him in disbelief. Then she started to laugh, a genuine laugh that began softly and grew until it filled the entire car.
«You can’t be serious,» she managed to say between laughs. «Do you really think you can just buy my silence and make me give up a real career opportunity?»
«$15,000?» William raised the offer, still not looking at her.
«You didn’t understand anything, did you?» Daisy stopped laughing, her voice now serious. «This isn’t about money, William. It’s about finally having the chance to use everything I studied to prove that I’m capable. To do something that really matters. You could offer a million dollars and the answer would still be no.»
«You’ll regret this,» William said coldly. «Working with me won’t be easy. I can make your life very difficult in that company.»
«Threats now?» Daisy opened the car door. «How classy! Thank you for confirming I made the right choice. And for the record, you can keep your $15,000. I’ll earn my money with honest work, not by taking bribes from a grumpy millionaire.»
She got out of the car and slammed the door shut with satisfying force. When she was halfway to the building’s entrance, she turned and shouted.
«Oh, and the $5,000 from the original deal? I still expect that on Monday.»
William sped away, leaving Daisy standing on the sidewalk with a triumphant smile on her face. The next morning, Daisy woke up still processing everything that had happened. She picked up Moretti’s business card from her nightstand and stared at it for a long moment. It was real. It was truly real.
She spent the weekend caught between excitement and nervousness. She bought two office outfits with what little money she had saved, researched everything she could about Porter Enterprises online, and rehearsed in her mind how her first day would go.
Monday came far too quickly. Daisy stood in front of the imposing Porter Enterprises building at 8 a.m., wearing simple black pants, a white shirt, and a blazer she’d found on clearance. Nothing fancy, but professional.
The receptionist directed her to the human resources department, where she was greeted by a woman named Jennifer, who would be her direct supervisor.
«Mr. Moretti told me about you,» Jennifer said with a warm smile. «He said you have some very interesting ideas about people management. I’m looking forward to working with you.»
Daisy was introduced to the team, given her employee badge, and shown to a small but cozy cubicle. Everything felt like a dream, a very real and slightly terrifying dream. She was organizing her things on the desk when she heard a familiar, unfriendly voice behind her.
«I see you actually decided to show up.»
Daisy turned and found William standing there, arms crossed, wearing that same look of disapproval she knew so well.
«Good morning to you too, boss,» she replied with exaggerated sweetness. «Or should I say, former boss? I’m not sure how the hierarchy works now that I’m not your housekeeper anymore.»
«You report to Moretti, and he reports to me,» William said curtly. «So technically, I’m still your boss. And let me make this clear: I won’t make things easy for you. If you want to prove you deserve to be here, you’ll have to work twice as hard as anyone else.»
«Good, because I was actually worried you’d treat me differently,» Daisy rolled her eyes. «Relax, William, I don’t need your favors. I just need you to stay out of my way.»
«Oh, I’ll be keeping a very close eye on you,» he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. «Every mistake, every slip, every report turned in a minute late—I’ll see it all.»
«Great, then you’ll have plenty of free time, because I don’t plan on making mistakes,» Daisy said, settling into her new swivel chair with satisfaction. «Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have real work to do, unlike some people who apparently have time to waste threatening new employees.»
William opened his mouth to reply, but Jennifer appeared just then with a stack of documents.
«Daisy, I need you to review these organizational climate reports and give me your feedback by the end of the day. Mr. Porter, can I help you with something?»
William gave Daisy one last heavy look before turning away. «No, I’m done here.»
Once he left, Jennifer leaned closer and whispered, «Is he always that grumpy, or do you have a special talent for annoying him?»
«I think it’s a little of both,» Daisy admitted with a smile. «But considering that until last week I was cleaning his mansion, I think he’s still processing it.»
Jennifer’s eyes widened. «You were his housekeeper? Seriously?»
«Was,» Daisy said, picking up the first report from the pile. «And now I’m the employee he loves to hate the most. But that’s fine. Let him sulk in his corner. I’ve got a career to build.»
As she dove into the documents, Daisy couldn’t help but smile. Her new life had officially begun, and it looked like it was going to be far more interesting than she ever imagined.
Daisy’s first few weeks at Porter Enterprises were a roller coaster of emotions and learning. She threw herself into every task, analyzing reports, attending meetings, and absorbing information like a sponge. Jennifer was impressed by how quickly she understood the company’s internal processes.
«Are you sure you’ve never worked in a corporate environment before?» Jennifer asked one afternoon, reviewing a report Daisy had prepared. «Because this is flawless. Better than what some of our senior analysts deliver.»
«Let’s just say I had plenty of time to study theory while cleaning offices,» Daisy replied with a smile. «Nothing like vacuuming floors while listening to executives argue about strategy to learn hands-on.»
What she didn’t mention was that William made a point of showing up in the human resources department at least three times a week, always with some corporate excuse, but clearly keeping an eye on her every move. And Daisy, being Daisy, never missed a chance to push his buttons.
«Mr. Porter, what a surprise seeing you here for the third time today,» she said during one of his visits, without even looking up from the spreadsheet she was reviewing. «I’m starting to think you’re monitoring my work, or maybe you just missed the days when I cleaned your house.»
William shot her a cold glare. «I’m simply making sure the company’s standards are upheld in all departments.»
«Of course. And by pure coincidence, the department that needs that assurance most just happens to be the one I work in.» Daisy finally looked at him with a smile that was far too innocent to be real. «Such admirable dedication.»
Jennifer, watching the exchange from her desk, tried to hide a laugh behind her hand. But the real test came when Daisy was called to her first major strategic meeting.
It was a discussion about restructuring several divisions, and she would be representing the HR department, tasked with that since Jennifer was away on a business trip.
«Just observe and take notes,» Jennifer had told her before leaving. «You’re still learning. You don’t have to speak unless you feel comfortable.»
Daisy walked into the conference room and immediately felt the weight of all the stares. Experienced executives, department directors, and at the head of the table, William, with that expression she already knew well, waiting for her to fail.
«Let’s begin,» William said curtly. «We have a proposal to reduce staff by 15 percent in the customer service department. The numbers show we can maintain productivity with fewer people if we optimize our processes.»
The directors began to debate, most agreeing with the cold logic of numbers. Daisy listened, taking notes, but she felt a growing uneasiness in her chest.
«It’s a necessary measure,» the finance director concluded. «We need to cut costs wherever possible.»
«With all due respect,» Daisy’s voice broke through the room’s consensus, and everyone turned to look at her. She could see William stiffen in his chair. «I think this analysis is incomplete.»
«Incomplete?» The finance director raised an eyebrow. «In what way, Miss…?»
«Stevens. Daisy Stevens,» she said, taking a deep breath and deciding that since she had started, she might as well finish. «The numbers may say productivity stays the same, but they don’t account for the impact on workplace morale, the overload on the remaining employees, and most importantly, the quality of customer service.»
She looked around the room. «A 15 percent cut means the remaining staff will work harder, become stressed, and eventually service quality will drop. That directly affects customer satisfaction and, in the long term, the company’s revenue.»
«That’s speculation,» another director countered. «We don’t have concrete data on that.»
«Actually, we do,» Daisy said, opening her laptop and projecting a presentation she had prepared over the past few weeks, anticipating exactly this kind of discussion. «I analyzed the company’s data from the last five years. Every time there was a significant staff reduction, three months later we saw an increase in customer complaints and a drop in employee retention. The costs of recruiting and training replacements ended up being higher than the initial savings. It’s all documented here.»