Not guilt necessarily.
Fear.
The Chairwoman filed it away.
She turned to the Black associate.
“Do you feel safe giving an honest statement?”
The associate looked at the manager.
Then back.
“No.”
The manager recoiled.
The Chairwoman nodded.
“Then you won't give it here.”
She looked at the director.
“Arrange an external interview location.”
“Yes.”
The associate’s eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
The Chairwoman shook her head slightly.
“Don't thank me yet.”
Real change had not happened.
Only permission to speak.
Those were different things.
The Chairwoman finally looked down at the necklace again.
The piece that had started everything.
She touched the edge of the glass.
“Put it away.”
The manager moved automatically.
She lifted the velvet tray.
Her hands trembled.
The Chairwoman watched.
Then asked:
“Do you remember what you said?”
The manager did not answer.
“The silver section would be more appropriate for my budget.”
The manager swallowed.
“I apologize.”
The Chairwoman looked at her.
“For what?”
The question confused her.
“For offending you.”
The Chairwoman shook her head.
“Try again.”
The manager looked toward the employees.
Humiliation began moving through her now.
The Chairwoman recognized it.
She did not want revenge.
She wanted accuracy.
The manager spoke carefully.
“I made an assumption.”
“About?”
“Your purchasing capacity.”
“Based on?”
Silence.
The Chairwoman waited.
The manager's eyes filled.
Finally:
“Your appearance.”
The Chairwoman looked down at her dress.
White couture.
Diamonds.
Fur.
A six-figure watch hidden beneath one sleeve.
Even the explanation sounded absurd.
“What about my appearance?”
The manager could not say it.
The Chairwoman understood.
She closed the acquisition folder.
“You'll have time to answer that during the investigation.”
The regional director escorted the manager toward the private office.
She walked with her shoulders rigid.
At the doorway, she turned.
For a second, the Chairwoman expected anger.
Instead the manager looked frightened.
“Are you firing me?”
The Chairwoman answered honestly.
“I don't know yet.”
That frightened her more.
The office door closed.
The Chairwoman removed her hat.
For the first time that afternoon, everyone saw her entire face clearly.
She looked tired.
The regional director approached.
“I am deeply sorry.”
She looked at him.
“You've apologized three times.”
“I know.”
“Stop.”
He nodded.
She looked around the boutique.
“How many employee complaints?”
“About her?”