As the day wore on, Scott kept up his positive energy, even as the usual flood of emails and tight deadlines threatened to chip away at his mood.
He handled a particularly frustrating task with characteristic patience, refusing to let the pressure get to him. His coworkers noticed, nodding in appreciation from their desks.
Scott's steady reliability was something they'd come to rely on. He was always ready to lend a hand, share a laugh, or simply listen, a rare kind of presence in the fast-paced office environment.
Just before lunch, his supervisor, Mr. Gray, walked over to Scott's desk. "Scott, can I see you in my office for a moment?"
Scott blinked, feeling a flicker of worry. "Of course, Mr. Gray." Rising from his chair, he smoothed his shirt, mentally running through his recent projects, wondering if he'd missed something.
