The plush carpets of Alden Enterprises' corporate headquarters muffled Kara's heeled strides as she stormed down the corridor, her expression a storm cloud of barely contained rage. Her sharp features twisted with disdain when her eyes landed on Mr. Harrison, the elderly janitor bent over his mop in the corner of the room.
"Still here, Mr. Harrison?" Kara sneered, crossing her arms. "How is it that at your age, you're still scrubbing floors instead of living comfortably in retirement? What have you been doing all these years?"
The old man straightened slowly, his back creaking audibly. His face, lined with decades of toil, betrayed no resentment. Instead, he offered her a polite nod. "Miss Kara, I'm just doing my job. Life doesn't always go as planned, and we make do with what we have."
Kara's laugh was cold and biting. "Spare me the philosophy. Maybe if you weren't so incompetent, you wouldn't be stuck mopping floors for a living. People like you are a waste of space."
Her voice rose, cutting through the otherwise hushed office environment. A few employees passing by dared to glance their way but quickly looked down, not wanting to draw Kara's ire.
Mr. Harrison hesitated, gripping the mop handle tightly for support. "Miss Kara, with respect, I've given this company everything I could. Your father has always been so kind to me."
"And now he's wasting his kindness on someone who doesn't deserve it," Kara interrupted, her words laced with venom. She stepped closer, looming over the frail man. "You think my father's generosity will save you from your failures? Think again."
Before Mr. Harrison could respond, Kara grabbed the mop from his hands and threw it across the room. The crash of the bucket spilling its soapy contents echoed in the hallway. Mr. Harrison stumbled backward, his frail body shaking under the weight of Kara's verbal assault.
"Clean that up!" she barked. "You're pathetic."
"Miss Kara." A calm, authoritative voice broke through the tension.
Kara turned sharply to find a tall, impeccably dressed man standing in the doorway. His piercing gaze didn't waver as it locked onto hers. Alexander Reid, a prominent business partner of her father's, exuded an air of quiet power. His presence was commanding, his tailored suit emphasizing the stature of someone who wasn't used to being ignored.
"Mr. Reid," Kara greeted him stiffly, attempting to mask her irritation.
Alexander's gaze shifted from Kara to Mr. Harrison, who was struggling to steady himself against the wall. "What is going on here?" he asked evenly, though his tone carried a distinct undercurrent of disapproval.
"It's none of your concern," Kara said curtly.
Alexander ignored her and approached the elderly man. "Mr. Harrison, are you all right?"
I'm fine, sir," Mr. Harrison stammered, clearly shaken.
Alexander helped him to a chair, his movements gentle yet efficient. He turned back to Kara, his expression now a mix of disappointment and frustration. "This is how you treat your father's employees? The people who've worked tirelessly for this company?"
Kara's jaw tightened. "He's a relic of the past. If he can't keep up, he doesn't belong here."
Alexander straightened, his imposing figure towering over her. "If you think cruelty makes you strong, you're mistaken. Strength comes from compassion, something you clearly lack."
Kara's face flushed with indignation. "You don't know anything about me or what I've been through."
"I know enough," Alexander replied coolly. "Your father built this company on respect and integrity. Behavior like this tarnishes his name and everything he stands for."
The sharpness of his words hit their mark, but Kara refused to show it. She crossed her arms, her expression defiant.
"Fine," she snapped. "Take him out of here if you care so much. But don't expect me to feel guilty for telling the truth."
Alexander said nothing more to her. Instead, he guided Mr. Harrison toward the elevator, ensuring the old man was steady on his feet. Kara watched them go, her chest tightening with an unspoken emotion she quickly shoved aside.
She turned on her heel, muttering to herself. "Who does he think he is, lecturing me in my own father's company?"
Yet, as she stormed back to her office, a seed of doubt began to sprout within her. For the first time, someone had dared to challenge her cruelty, not with anger, but with quiet strength.
Later that afternoon, Mr. Harrison, still pale and moving gingerly from Kara's earlier mistreatment, found himself seated in Alden Steele's expansive office. The room was a testament to power and elegance, with dark mahogany furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, and shelves lined with books and accolades. Despite his discomfort, Harrison's resolve was firm.
Alden Steele, Kara's adoptive father, sat behind his grand desk, his tailored suit impeccable, his graying hair neatly combed. He was reviewing reports but looked up with a warm smile when Harrison entered.
"Harrison, my old friend," Alden greeted, rising to shake the older man's hand. "What brings you here? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"Thank you, sir, but I had to speak with you," Harrison began, his voice tinged with urgency. He eased into the chair Alden gestured toward, his worn hands gripping the armrests tightly. "It's about Kara."
Alden's smile faltered, but he kept his tone light. "What about her? You know how fiery she can be. Youthful energy, nothing more."
Harrison hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Mr. Steele, with all due respect, it's more than that. She's out of control. Today, she humiliated me and an elderly man who almost passed out due to the torture she gave him in front of others, and even physically lashed out. And this isn't the first time. Her behavior is getting dangerous, not just for us employees but for the company and your reputation."
Alden leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowing. "I'm sure she didn't mean any harm. Kara's had a rough time since Ethan" He trailed off, the pain of his adopted son's death still fresh. "She's just grieving in her own way."
Harrison leaned forward, his voice firm but kind. "Sir, grief is no excuse for cruelty. She's alienating people, the staff, clients, and anyone who crosses her path. If this continues, it won't be long before word spreads, and the name Alden Steele becomes synonymous with arrogance and recklessness. This company is your legacy, and it's too valuable to risk."
Alden's jaw tightened. He knew Harrison was right, but his heart ached at the thought of confronting Kara. Since her childhood, he'd showered her with love and indulgence, fearing that any form of discipline might deepen the void left by her tragic past.
"I understand your concern, Harrison," Alden finally said, his tone measured. "I'll talk to her. She's a good girl at heart, she is just lost right now. She needs guidance, not judgment."
Harrison sighed, his expression softening. "I know you love her, sir. And she's lucky to have you. But love sometimes means setting boundaries. If you don't address this soon, you might lose more than just her."
Alden nodded, though his heart felt heavy. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I promise I'll handle it."
Harrison rose, his frail frame a stark contrast to the steel determination in his eyes. "I believe in her, Mr. Steele. But she needs to find her way before it's too late."
As the door closed behind Harrison, Alden remained seated, staring out at the bustling city below. His mind swirled with thoughts of Kara, his fierce, broken daughter, whose pain was driving her to the brink.
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. He had always avoided confrontation with Kara, choosing instead to shield her from life's harsh realities. But now, it seemed his indulgence had only fueled her descent.
For the first time, Alden realized that his unconditional love might not be enough to save her. He would have to act and soon.
Later that evening, the Steele mansion was cloaked in its usual opulence, the beauty of its marble floors and glittering chandeliers in sharp contrast to the tension brewing within its walls. Alden sat in his study, sipping a glass of whiskey, his mind replaying Harrison's words.
He sighed deeply, knowing he could no longer avoid the conversation he had been putting off for years. Rising from his chair, he made his way to Kara's room, where the faint sound of music spilled into the hallway.
Knocking firmly on the door, he waited.
"Come in," Kara called, her voice indifferent.
Alden stepped inside to find her lounging on a plush chair, scrolling through her phone. She was still dressed in the sharp black ensemble she had worn to the company earlier, a smirk playing on her lips as if the day's events had been nothing more than a trivial amusement.
"Kara, we need to talk," Alden began, his voice calm but tinged with seriousness.
Kara glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "About what? Is it the quarterly report? I thought I nailed that presentation."
Alden frowned. "You know exactly what this is about. Harrison came to see me today."
Her smirk faded slightly, but she remained unbothered. "Oh, the old guy. What about him?"
Alden stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "What about him? Kara, he's a human being, not some punching bag for you to vent your frustrations on. What you did today was unacceptable. Humiliating him, physically attacking him, what were you thinking?"
Kara leaned back, crossing her arms. "He's a liability, Father. If he can't keep up, he shouldn't be working at the company. It's not my fault he's still hanging around when he's clearly past his prime."
Alden's jaw tightened, and he exhaled sharply. "Kara, he's been with this company since before you were born. He's dedicated his life to Steele Industries. You don't treat people like that, especially not someone who's given so much to us."
She rolled her eyes. "So now you're taking his side? Figures. You always jump to defend people who can't even defend themselves."
Alden's voice rose, a rare occurrence. "This isn't about sides, Kara. This is about right and wrong. And what you did was wrong."
Kara stood abruptly, her expression hardening. "Wrong? Do you think I'm wrong for pointing out that he's useless? If you want to run this company like a charity, be my guest. But don't expect me to pretend that dead weight like Harrison deserves my respect."
Alden stared at her, his heart sinking. For the first time, he truly saw the person she had become, cold, arrogant, and utterly lacking in empathy. He wondered how he had failed to notice it before, how his indulgence and fear of pushing her away had allowed her to spiral so far.
"Kara," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "This isn't who you are. This isn't who I raised you to be."
She laughed bitterly. "Oh, please. Don't act like you know me, Father. You've spent my entire life trying to shield me from the world. Maybe if you hadn't coddled me so much, I wouldn't have to fend for myself like this."
Alden flinched, her words cutting deeper than she realized. "I've always loved you, Kara. I wanted to give you everything I never had. But I see now that I've failed you. If this is how you think strength looks, then I've done you a great disservice."
For a moment, Kara faltered, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing her face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual defiance.
"Save the lecture, Father," she said, turning away. "If you're done, I have things to do."
Alden stared at her back, his heart heavy with a mixture of love, frustration, and guilt. He had pampered her, yes, but he had also ignored the warning signs, excusing her behavior as grief, as a young girl, as anything but what it truly was a cry for help.
"Kara," he said quietly, "this can't go on. One day, you'll realize that how you treat people matters. And I hope, for your sake, it won't be too late."
She didn't respond, her posture stiff as she stared out the window. "How dare that old fool report me to my father? I will deal with you mercilessly", she said to herself and slumped on her bed.