Chapter 12 - The First Test
Six months passed with lightning speed, transforming Ethan’s life in ways he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams.
Under Harold’s relentless mentorship, Ethan spent sixteen hours a day studying corporate law, international finance, and executive leadership.
He traded his stained yellow janitorial apron for custom-tailored suits, but he kept his worn airport work boots inside a glass display case in his office.
It served as a daily reminder of where he came from and the values he swore never to abandon.
Meanwhile, Lily’s health improved dramatically following her successful heart surgery, allowing her to enroll in a top private school in Boston.
Everything seemed to be moving smoothly until a sudden crisis erupted at the company's largest logistics hub in Atlanta.
A massive strike had paralyzed the airport facility, with three thousand union workers refusing to load cargo planes.
The board of directors wanted to deploy private security forces and fire all striking workers immediately to protect profit margins.
At a tense emergency board meeting in Manhattan, Ethan stood at the head of the conference table, facing twenty angry executives.
"If we fire these workers, we destroy our entire domestic supply chain!" Ethan argued passionately, slamming his hand on the table.
"They aren't striking out of greed! They're striking because the local management cut their health benefits and safety equipment!"
"We can't yield to worker demands, Mr. Miller!" a senior director yelled back. "It will cost the company forty million dollars!"
Ethan stood tall, pulling a thick blue folder from his leather briefcase and tossing it onto the center of the table.
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"Then we cut executive bonuses by fifteen percent this quarter to cover the safety budget," Ethan commanded sternly.
"Because as long as I hold voting power in this company, we will never prioritize profits over human lives!"
